Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-01-06
THE MISSING FAN.

ran y
Lady Mary Vancouver was pretty,
smart little widow, richly endowed and
great personal favorite
1t was at the hunt ball at Weatherly
That she exclaimed about the loss Of her
fan, having left IL for few minutes on
u seat while she danced with Sir Henry
Wilcox. Lady Mary always had o
court of adorers They assembled round
her when she stated her loss, and Wig
orous search for the missing fan was ut
once begun. but with no successful re-
suit. II was nowhere to be found.
1T belonged to my great grandmoth-
or, in 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 DO the most miserable
Of women.
Vainly did 1.-The adOrers" and some
Of her lady friends seek to comfort her
Lady Mary was inconsolable.
1T must DO found---some one has
taken IL by mistake, said Sir Henry.
"Suppose we offer reward "
Il don't believe the richest of no.
wards will bring back my poor dear
fan, she murnured sorrowfully.
How much would you give 10 get II
baok?" asked ono of those who stood
around.
Myself and my whole fortune" was
the somewhat astonishing answer.
There was laugh and n murmur Of
"Happy fan to be 40 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 OH account Of the intrinsio
value Of the fan she was inclined 10
make herself downright i'll and miser.
able at its loss
No more danoingi She could not
dance when she was In mourning for
hsr beautiful fan, but as abe was chap
er@ing 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 10. He was supposed 10 be the
favored sutton. and there were others
who were Jealous Of him Tho loss Of
the fan and the reward she had offered,
though, Of course, he could not believe
that she really meant It,, annoyed him.
10 the others It gave fresh zast. and tho
feryor TO win Lady Marv's much eovet-
cd hand was increased since aha herself
had shown the means Inv which tho race
might DO won. Hi+ft
Sir Henry conducted her 70 her car.
riare. II was four mile drive 10 thu
Moated Grange. which WAS n lonely
dwelling for a lonely woman.
EDO Won know Nj do I0nteuiI.--Mar.
ouis do Lanteuil ia hep, she asked Sir
Henry as thew went down tho staircase.
"Ncycr saw him tin tonight {"
"Hc is handsome" gbe vent on.
"stnying at the Duke Of Fotboringay's.
40 he must be- somebody. If had not
been 80 unhappy. 1 should have cult.
Grange"
"A mere foreigner, remarked Sir
Henry "Ono can never bo sure OF those
fellows"
He VIVA Incoming more and more
Jealous, and Lady Mary, who did not
fail 10 see il. was, In spite of her mourn
ing, bent ON teasing.
"Ill give q breakfast" she said.
"more fashionable than luncheon. and
ask all the Fotheringay party--less com.
promising than asking him alone. You
can come il have room"
"Tbank Won. am going 10 town 10.
marrow for a few davs ON business
She laughed. for she did not believe.
Good night. Sir Henry. Glad 10 zee
Won when your business IL over. Oh. INV
poor fam Perhaps A. will be found he.
fore Won come back -
Two or three DAYS passed Lady Mary
did not AJAX the FotherinQay marty Ia
breakfast perbans Iike the rnsh reward
ofy,red FOR tho ian n was moyelv eic-
papt talk
That she was really nnban,v ah.or.
its loss was nevertheless very certain.
and since the fan was not returned II
seemed evident that the thief did not
pine for the possession Of Lady Mary
and her worldly effecta
Some woman, Of course, " she said
bitterly. How 1 hate my own sex
They are always mean and cruel y
II WAS an unpleasant, misty day,
which might perhaps account for an In
crease OF bitterness A ring at the Wis
itors' bell, however, made Lady Mary
once more alert
Who can that oe IN suoh weather.
NJ. dc Lhnteuil was announced.
She looked Just httis bit aStonished,
~ she had not asked him 70 call