The Press., 1898-08-04
THE MISSING FAN.

"My fan, some one has taken my
fan ~
Lady Mary Vancouver was pretty,
smart little widow, richly endowed and
q great personal favorite.
1t was at the hunt ball at Weatherly
that she exclaimed about the loss of her
fan, having left it for few minutes on
a seat while she danced with Sir Henry
Wilcox. Lady Mary always had a
court of adorers. They assembled round
her when she stated her loss, and Wig
orous search for the missing fan was at
once begun, but with no successful re-
suit. 1t was nowhere to be found.
''It belonged to my great grandmoth-
er, is a 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
l 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.
lit must be found-some one has
taken it by mistake, - said Sir Henry.
Suppose we offer a reward. !"
II don't believe the richest of re-
wards will bring back my poor dear
fan, !" she murmured sorrowfully.
Chow much would you give to get it
back?'' asked one of those who stood
around.
"Myself and my whole fortune, - was
the somewhat astonishing answer.
There was laugh and a murmur Of
Happy fan to be SO highly valued.
But Lady Mary did not apparently
perceive that she had spoken extrava-
gantly. She was of Scotch descent very
superstitious, and on that account far
more than on account of the intrinsic
value of the fan she was inclined to
make herself downright i'll and miser-
ablerat its loss.
No more dancingl She could not
dance when she was in mourning for
her beautiful fan, but as she was chap
eroning two young cousins she staid
on till the ballroom was thinning. Sir
Henry Wilcox remained in devoted at
tendance, but he was not the only one
who did so. He was supposed 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
fervor to win Lady Mary's much covet-
ed hand was increased since she herself
had shown the means by which the race
might be won.
Sir Henry conducted her to her car
riage. 1t was four mile drive to the
Moated Grange, which was lonely
dwelling for lonely woman.
do you know M. de Lanteuil-Mar-
quis de Lanteuil is HEP" she asked Sir
Henry as they went down the staircase.
"Never saw him till tonight. -
she is handsome she went on.
"Staying at the Duke of Fotheringay' g..
SO he must be somebody. IF 1 had not
been SO unhappy, should have Guilt
waited him and asked him to the
Grange
ga mere foreigner, remarked Sir
Henry. Zone 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 mourn
ing, bent on teasing.
"I'll give breakfast, she said,
"more fashionable than luncheon, and
ask all the Fotheringay party-less COM
promising than asking him alone. You
can come if l have room. -
"Thank you. am going to town to-
morrow for few days on business. -
She laughed, for she did not believe.
"Good night, Sir Henry. Glad to sec
you when your business is over. Oh, my
poor FAM Perhaps it will be found be-
| fore you come back