Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-12-08
THE MISSING FAN.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

"My fan-some one has taken my
FAM"
Lady Mary Vancouver was a pref
ty, smart little widow, richly endow-
ed and great personal favorite.
1t was ait hunt ball at Weatherly
that she exclaimed about the loss OF
her fan. having left it for few min
utes ON a seat while she danced with
Sir Henry Wilcox. Lady Mary al
ways had a court of adorers. They
assembled round her when she stated
her loss, and "A vigorous search for
the missing fan was at once begun.
but with not successful result. 1t was
nowhere to be found.
''It belonged to my great-grand-
mother, is Louis XIV. fan, and more
than that. has always brought its
possessor good luck. Oh, why did |
bring it to this ball? Now all my
luck is gone and | shall henceforth
be the most miserable of women
Vainly did "the adorers' and some
Of her lady friends seek to comfort
her. Lady Mary was inconsolable.
ut must be found-some one has
taken it by mistake" said Sir Henry.
Suppose we offer a reward
Il don't believe the richest of re-
wards will bring back my poor, dear
fan" she murmured, sorrowfully.
"How much would you give to get
it back?" asked one of those who
stood around
Myself and my whole fortune"
was the somewhat astonishing ans
wer.
There was laugh and a murmur
Of Happy fan to be so highly val
ued"
But Lady Mary did mot apparently
perceive that she had spoken extrat.
agantly. She was of Scotch descent,
very superstitious, and on that ac-
count far more than on account of
the intrinsic value of the fan she was
inclined to make herself downright
i'll and miserable at its loss.
No more dancing! She could not
dance when she was in mourning for
her beautiful fan. AS she was chap
eroning two young cousins she stay
ed on till the ballroom was thinning.
Sir Henry Wilcox remained in de-
voted attendance, but he was not the
only one who did so. He was sup
posed to be the favored sutton, and
there were others who were jealous
of him. The loss of the fan and the
reward she had offered, though, of
course, he could not believe that she
really meant it, annoyed him. To the
others it gave fresh zest, and the fer
vor to win Lady Marys much COW
eted hand was increased since she
herself had shown the means by
which the race might be won.
Sir Henry conducted her to her
carriage. 1t was four-mile drive to
the Moated Grange, which was
lonely dwelling for a lonely woman.
"Do you know NJ. de Lanteuil-
Marquis de Lanteuil is he?" she asked
Sir Henry as they went down the
staircase.
Never saw him till tonight"
"He is handsome" she went on.
Staying at the Duke Of Fotherin-
gays, so he must be somebody. If ]
had not been so unhappy, | should
have cultivated him and asked him 10
the Grange"
"A mere foreigner" remarked Sir
Henry. "0ne can never be sure OF
those fellows"
He was becoming more and more
jealous and Lady Mary, who did not
fail TO see it, was, in spite Of her
mourning, bent on teasing.
'1ll give a breakfast" she said
more fashionable than luncheon, and
ask all the Fotheringay PARTICLES
compromising than asking him alone
You can come If ! have ROOM"
THANK you. ] am going to town
tomorrow on business"
She laughed, for she did not be-
lieve.
Good night, Sir Henry. Glad to
see you when your business is over.
Oh, my poor fan! Perhaps it will be
found before you come back"
Two or three days passed. Lady