Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-05-01
LENNOX RAYS MISTAKE.

LENNOA~ RAYS MlSIAhE.
Lennox Ray sprang from the train
just as the June sunshine was dropping
down the west in food of golden glory,
and the air was fragrant with the per-
fume of new mown hay and dewy with
approaching twilight.
"Well, this is rather purer than Lon
don air." sighed Lennox, drawing q
deep breath OF delight as he fastened
up the green lane to the wide, old fash
ioned farm house, carrying his valise in
his hand. "I wonder if Mary got my
note and is looking for me? Hallo!'
This last exclamation was drawn from
Mr.. Rays lips by big ripe cherry,
which, descending from above him,
came into sudden contact with his nose.
He looked up, and there, perchcd like
a great bird upon the bough of cherry
tree and looking down at him with dane
ing eyes and brilliant cheeks, wasayoung
girl pretty and wilful enough to set
man crazy.
"How do, Lennox? Come up and
have some cherries!" was the mischiev-
ous greeting with saucy dimples playing
about her white lips.
"Maryl Is it possible?" exclaimed
Lennox, serenely.
"What? that the cherries are ripe
Yes, and splendid too. Have some?'
returned the nymph, coolly holding out
great ruby cluster.
''Mary, will you come down from
there ?" said Mr.. Ray, not seeming to
notice the cherries.
'sYes, to be sure, now you've come,
and L have had all the cherries want
ed"
And while Mr. Ray looked on in stern
disapproval the young witch swung her.
self lightly down from her perch and LIT
on the grass at her feet.
"Now don't look SO serious, Lennox,
DEAR" she said, slipping her little hands
into his with a coaxing motion. 81
know it's tom-boyish to climb the cherry
trees, but then it's such fun"
"Mary, you should have been boy, "
said Lennox."
"Iwish 1 had Then I wouldn't have
everybody scolding me if l happened to
move. No don't either, for then you
wouldn't have fallen in love with me.
What made you, any way, my dearY'
she said, with fond glance and ca
ressing movement.
because you are a sweet darling, ="
answered Mr.. Ray, melted in spite of
himself. "But I do wish, Mary, you
would leave off these boyish ways
and be more dignifed.
"Like Miss Ishman ?" asked Mary.
"Miss Ishman is very superior wo-
man, and it would not hurt you to copy
her in some respects" said Lennox,
coldly.
The tears sprang into Mary's eyes at
his tone she loosened her arms from
his, and, dropping down on the emerald
grass at his feet, began to braid brace
let of the long blades in silence, with q
grieved expression about her sweet
mouth which he did not see.
"There |" cried Lennox, pettishly.
"Now you look more like five-year-
old baby than well-bred young lady.
Mary threw away her bracelet and got
up again. 81 didn't mean to vex you.
Shall we go in? she said, sadly. They
went into the parlor, and Mr.. Ray took
seat in the great armchair, while Mary
flung open the window and dropped on
her knees beside it, letting her glossy
curls fall in great shower on the win
dow sill.
"Now, don't do that !" exclaimed
Mr.. Ray, drawing n chair near his own.
"Come here and sit down like ration
al being"
"I wish you would put up those fly
away curls and dress your hair as other
young ladies do" said Mr.. Ray. "And
see here, Mary, I want to have talk
with you. You know l love you, but,
in truth, my dear, my wife must have
some of the elegance of refined soci-
ETY.. Your manners need polish, my
dear"
Mary reddened and her scarlet lip
curled little but she said nothing,
GA few weeks in fashionable circles
will be great benefit to you, andI wish
you to have the opportunity. In short,
dear, came down to tell you that my
sister is making up party to visit some
watering place this summer, and she
wishes you to be one of the number, and
I wish you to accept the invitation,
Mary"
Are you going ?" asked Mary.
"No my practice will not allow it,
But shall see you several times. You
will go?"
ooh Lennox, don't make me 7"
sobbed Mary, hiding her face on his
shoulders, as a vision OF his stylish and
naughty sister rose before her. L
don't want to go ! [ hate fashionable
society ! don't want to be polished
I'd rather stay here in the country, and
not wear any bonnet, and climb cherry
trees every day.
Mary, I'm surprised at this display
of childishness l must insist upon
more self-control, he said coolly.
But don't send me away don't
Lennox y she pleaded.
81 must !" he returned, but more
gently, soitened little by her agitated
eagerness. 1t is for your good and
you must consent to go. Will you ?"
The supper bell rang at that instant,
and, anxious to escape before the rest
of the family came in and saw her in
tears, Mary hastily answered, Yes,
let me go, Lennox /" and ran out of the
room and upstairs to her ewn chamber.
i