Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-04-26

Mr.. Lennox Ray. See if l don't"
1t was Lennox Rays intention to join
his sisters party in July, but his law
business prevented him. When Mary
received the letter expressing his re-
grets she only smiled and said to her.
self, All the better. shall have time
to learn my lesson more thoroughly by
September, Mr.. Lennox Ray"
1t was nearly the middle of Septem-
Der before Mr.. Ray, heated, dusty and
weary, entered his room in Scarborough
Hotel, where his sisters party was stop
ping.
Dear little Mary" he said as he
made careful toilet before going down
stairs. am dying to see her, and l
know she'll be glad to see me. A
moment of her sweet naturalness will be
quite refreshing after all these artificial
women. They don't know I've come,
so I'll just go down and surprise them"
AS he entered the apartment amid the
flash of jewels and rustic of silks and
laces he met his sister Laura.
Lennox you here ?" she said, CIV
ing him two white hands"
Yes. Where's Mary?"
"She was ON the terrace, talking to a
French count moment ago. All! there
she is at the door"
All p said Lennox, dropping Lau-
ra's hand and making his way toward
the door.
But it was difficult even when he drew
near to see in the stylish, stately lady,
whose hair was put over monstrous
chignon, and whose lustrous robes
swept over the floor for yard, his own
little Mary of three months ago.
Lennox strodeup with scarce glance
at the bewhiskered dandy to whom she
was chatting, and held out his hand with
an eager exclamation, "Mary !''
She made a sweeping courtesy and
languidly extended the tips of her fin
gers but not muscle moved beyond
what accorded with well bred indifer-
ence.
"Ah good evening, Mr. Ray"
ooh, Mary, are you glad to see me?"
said Lennox, feeling his heart chilled
within him.
ooh, to be sure, Mr.. Ray quite
glad. Allow me to present Count de
Beaurepaire. Mr.. Ray, Monsieur"
Lennox hardly deigned bow to
the Frenchman, and offered his arm to
her.
"Thanks but the music is begin
ming, and [ promised to dance with Mr..
Blair"
But afterward !' said Lennox, the
chill growing colder.
"Thanks again butI am engaged to
Captain Thornton"
When then ?" demanded Lennox,
with jealous pang.
"Ah, really, my card is so full that
| hardly know. l will try to spare you
waltz somewhere" with an Indifferent
glance.
Lennox bent down, and spoke with
bitter reproach in his tone, "Good
heavens, Mary What affectation
this %
She favored him with a well-bred
stare.
Pardon! lido not understand YOU"
And taking the arm of her escort she
walked away with the air of an empress.
Lennox sought his sister.
Laura, how have you changed Mary
so ?" he demanded.
Yes, she is changed greatly i'm.
proved. Isn't she perfect ?"
Perfect? Rather too perfect to
suit me-"
Tomorrow I shall see more of
Mary !" he thought.
But tomorrow, and tomorrow, it was
always the same, and "that elegant
Miss Irving" as they styled her, was
always in demand. She played the role
of an accomplishedlady and gay hearted
coquette to perfection and poor Len
nox, from the distance in which she
kept him, looked on almost broken
hearted, varying between wrath, ieal-
ousy, pride and despair.
Mary" said he, one morning when
he found her alone, chow long is this
to last?"
Chow long is what to last?" asked
Mary innocently.
" How long are you going to remain
the conventional creature you are ?"
81 believe you wished me to come
here to improve my manners, Mr.. Ray;
to acquire the elegance of society p
she said coldly.
But, Mary"
"Your sister thinks I have been an
apt pupil"
Yes, too apt; too apt entirely I"
cried Lennox.
Well, if you are not pleased with
the result of your own advice, 1 am not
to blame. You must excuse me, Mr..
Ray am going to ride with Count de
Beaurepaire.
| And with how syoo+oo4 l,o1a..zI
smile, she made graceful gesture of
adieu, and left him sick at heart, puz-
zled and disgusted.
That afternoon, as Laura and Mary
were about dressing for the evening,
Lennax walked, unannounced. into
Laura's little parlor, where they sat
alone.
"I thought I'd drop in and say good
bye before you went down stairs" said
he. Il leave for London tonight"
Laura elevated her eyebrows q little
Sudden, isn't it? But since you
are going, L will give you some COM
missions"
"You needn't. I shall only stay in
town for day."
"Indeed Where are you going ?"
ooh, L don't know" was the savage
reply.
Laura gave him look of cool sur
prise.
cat least, you will take a note to
George for me"
{" Yes, if you get it ready" said he,
ungraciously.
"Very well I will write it now."
Laura went to her room, and Lennox
stood moodily at window. Presently
Mary, who had not spoken one word,