Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1902-04-02
A FAREWELL
BACHELOR DINNER.

It was the Van Waggemans who in
troduced Judith Tankerville to soci-
vty, and she was so much of success
that in six weeks she counted her men
friends by the score and not iowa-
ger nor a debutante could find fault
with her. Refinement, beauty, tact
and experience-Mrs. Tankerville had
taem all. Money? Nobody knew, but
the women made shrewd guesSes
when they recounted the number and
rare splendor of the jewels which she
wore. At every ball or reception
different and more singular brooch
or necklace was at her matchless
throat, some odd. barbaric gem was in
her billowy black hair.
AS for her antecedents, everybody
knew what the Van Waggemans knew
that tae Tankervilles were an oil
Irish-English family of high blood and
big achievements. The Van Wagge-
mans had met Miss Judith at Flor
ence and later in New York in the
company of the "best people" Her
distingue bearing and foreign air did
the rest. She had the style Partisan,
the English poise. the Dublin brogue
gave it's inimitable twang to the mus,
Of her voice. The debutante envied
and initiated her amiable stateliness
and saw with eminent qualification
that she eluded, though she could not
discourage, the pursuit OF the "elig-
ible" young men. Mammas with mar
riageable sons and daughters COM
mended the brilliant foreigners in
gieu discretion and brilliancy and
took her up" safe in the certainty
that she was neither an adventures
nor fortune-teller. She became the
rage" among the men and the pro-
tege of the women-evidence in itself
of a mastery diplomacy.
1t was late in Dember at one OF
Mrs. Boiieau's afternoons that Carrie
Hunter Grant, widow Of the million
aire coffee roaster, twitted her host
ess about possible case" between
Mrs. Boileau's elder brother and the
Tankerville.
"To ME he looks hit" whispered
the widow, affectionately. Whenever
Judith appears he becomes distra!t.
blushes-ac actually bushes. Just fancy
whitehaired veteran like the major
blushing at sight of girl"
Carrie, Carrie, you inveterate
plotster," signed the hostess. brother
George will never marry again unless
=" (arching her eyebrows knowingly.
She knew that Mrs. Grant had her
heart set on the rich widower.)
Besides" she reEumed, "hie
daughter is of age now, and I'm sure
he has no thought of himself till she's
settled in life"
"By the way" said Mrs. Grant,
changing the topic, did you ever no.
tice that marvellous watch Miss Tank
orville wears?"
Which one? I've noticed that she
wears different watch every week or
So"
81 mean that fiat, antique thing en-
crusted with fligree. There never.
was anything like it on earth. I'm
dying to know where she got it. If
you ever get chance ask her. will
you, dear?"
It was almost dark when Mrs. Grant
started for her carriage. In the yes
tibule she met Major Glendennin,
Mrs. Moileau's brother, who paused
under the lamp to greet her. Mrs.
- oh
and both women stood to chaff the
old beau. Finally said the widow:
Major, what time is it? 1 want to
stop at Mrs. Henry's if I have time"
The major fumbled under his over
coat and pulled out his watch-a
queer, outlandish fiat one encrusted
with amber filigree.
what queer watch!" snapped the
widow, laying her hand On Mrs. Boil
eau's arm, why, it's something like
one Miss Tankerville wears"
Both women peered at the bauble,
but it was jerked back into the ma
jors pocket in trice.
Quarter east fve," blurted the wild
owner, flushing and boiling into the
house. "Aha, my foxey major" gig
gled the widow, what do you think of
him now, Mrs. Boileau?" The hostess
laughed nervously, said II can't be-
lieve it" and went in.
1t was a week later that Major
Glendinnin gave dinner at his club
to ten of his old cronies They were
all old soldiers of war or finance; rich,
gray old foxes of the fatherly sort;
sleek, well groomed men of fashion
who "knew the world" Wiiowers AMI
bachelors all of them who knew the
Tankerville, all good friends of hers
and of each other. They had come to
the coffee when Glenden1in proposed
q toast:
To Judith Tankerville. who is to
be ny WIFE"
The applause which followed was
rot instantaneous, but 1t came at last,
came strong and hearty wnen they
saw the major was not joking. Till
then none knew the purpose Of this
little feast. Indeed. 1t was but one of
uouJ VI lhS oaAAS hluu. uuL TlSuueu-
MINIS announcement fell like a bomb
among his chums. They rallied with
tactful readiness and were standing
with cheers on their lips and wine
glasses ready before their host could
see through the clouds of smoke above
the table the looks Of surprise, chag-
rim or merriment that were ex-
changed.
you lucky old rascal" Colonel
Gregory was saying when the waiter
entered, salver in hand, and gave the
major sealed envelope.
The old fellow growled as he tore
off the end, turned pale an instant.
cursed in his white mustache and then
bawled: