Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 September 1909 — LADY EDINA'S GUEST [ARTICLE]

LADY EDINA'S GUEST

“Very awkward, rery awkward!” ejaculated tbe editor of that popular weekly magazine, the London World, as he burst into Paul Willoughby’s room with a telegram in his hand. “What's the matter now?” asked Willoughby. “Matter!” cried the editor, tramping up and down the room. “Miss Bertram’s 111. Unable to work—doctor’s orders. No ’woman’s page.’ Press day tomorrow. Confound it all! That’s what’s the matter.” “Can’t you find a woman who can do a page at u moment’s notice?” “No use. No time to go bunting rouDd. Have an Idea. You try your hand. Pen of ready writer. Ah! All women's papers in Miss Bertram’s room. Easily knock something together.” Willoughby went np to Miss Bertram’s room and sat down at her table. The first thing he did was to glance through a few back numbers to see what was required of him. “Not so difficult after all," he muttered. “Three columns of stuff and a couple of columns of answers to correspondents.” He got his facts from tbe women’s papers lying on the table and in a couple of hours had produced quite a tolerable article in the approved first person style. Miss Bertram called herself Lady Edina and moved in very select circles indeed. Willoughby kept up the fiction admirably. “Now for tbe correspondence. This will be more ticklish, 1 am afraid.” There was a trayful of letters, and he settled down to go steadily through them, but without the slightest intention of treating them with the seriousness they met with at the hands of Lady Edina. The first was from a gushing damsel and contained half a dozen pages of rigmarole about a garden party. At length he came to a dainty pink envelope inscribed In a dainty hand and exhaling a dainty perfume. He twirled it In his fingers for some moments before opening it. His Imagination wandered in the realms of fancy, conjuring up pictures of the fair correspondent. He experienced quite a strong desire to kn<ftr what she had to say, but was half afraid to tear open the envelope lest the charm be broken. “This won't *da. Here goes!” He opened the letter and ran his eye over Its contents: Dearest Lady Edina—l. really cannot stknd it any longer, so, in spite of your advice, X am going to run away from home tomorrow. 1 must go on the stage, although aunt will nearly die when she knows Jtr But’she ought to be more sympathetic. You know, you promised to meet me if 1 came up to town. 1 shall fays at Euston at 2:26 tomorrow, and if You cknnot be there I shall come oh to the Office. As we do not know each other tar Wight, please wear, cornflowers and carnation*, and I will do the same, , Yours sincerely, MAY DAftLEY. “Tomorrow!” mused Paui Willoughby. “Why, that-is today." He whistled and looked at his watch. “Ob. plenty of time! As I am Lady Edlpa, I suppose I must go and meet her. This is growing interesting.” He set to work and’dashed Olf another column of answers to correspondents and then took his “copy” to the editor, who glanced through It approvingly. "Ha,; this’ll do! Knew, you Were the nan. Leave it there. Fearfully busy.” Willoughby went out and bought a buttonhole of cornflowers and carnations, and after a general brash up be felt quite satisfied with himself. He took a hansom and arrived at Euston with a quarter of an hour to spare. After what seemed ages of waiting the heavy express .from the north steamed in, and Willoughby felt positively nervous as he watched tbe passengers alight His quick eye esught sight of a beautiful girl with a brave show of red and blue flowers in her dress. She looked round eagerly, as though expecting some one. His heart beat quicker than: usual as he stepped up to her and raised bis hat. She stared blankly at him, but he quietly pointed to the flowers In the buttonhole of his frock coat. “You are Miss May Darley, I presume.” “Yes, but”— “I am Lady Edina,” he replied, with a smile. “You pidy Edina!” she cried, blushing. “And you have read all my letters?” “iJo—only your last one. Let me explain. The real Lady Edina is 111, and I bad to do her work at a moment’s notice. I didn’t see your letter Until a couple of hours ago, and then it was . too late to wire to you. But where is a porter? You had better leave your luggage here until we see what is to be done. You will pardon me, but I should suggest a bit of lunch somewhere, and then we can talk matters over." “With a gentleman whom I do not know?” “With Lady Edina,” gravely replied Willoughby. The girl laughed and finally consented. They drove to a quiet restaurant in tbe Strand, and over their cutlets and green peas they became quite confidential. He talked to such good purpose that she returned home by the 7 p. m. train resolved never to attempt such an escapade again, but quite as firm in her resolve to become an actress, to which end he offered his services and Influence. ••••• •. * * Paul Willoughby is now editor and part proprietor of tbe Loudon World, and Mrs. Willoughby is known to all playgoers as May Darley, that most charming of our “sympathetic” actresses.—Loudon Sun.