The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-05-23
CAUGHT IN HIS OWN TRAP.

CAUGHT IN HIS OWN TRAP.
Lenox Ray sprang from the train JUS
as the June sunshine was dropping dowI
the West in food of golden glory, ant
the air was fragrant with the perfume
of new mown hay, and dewy with the
approaching twilight.
Well, this is rather purer than Lon
don ARP sighed Lennox, drawing 6
| deep breath of delight, as he hastened
| up the green lane to the wide, old.
fashioned farmhouse, carrying his va
lise in his hand. 81 wonder if Mamie
got my note, and is looking for me.
Halloi"
This last exclamation was drawn
| from Mr.. Rays lips by big, ripe cher
ry, which. descending from above some
| where, came into sudden contact with
his nose. He looked up, and there,
perched like a great bird upon the
bough of large cherry tree, and look
ing down at him, with dancing eyes and
brilliant cheeks, was a young girl, pret-
ty and wilful enough to set man era
zy.
Chow dc, Lennox? Come up and
have some cherries - Was her mis-
ch1evous greeting, with saucy dimples
playing about her crimson lips.
Mamie Is it possible ?" exclaimed
Lenox, sternly.
"What that the cherries are ripe ?
Yes, and splendid, too Have some?'
returned the nymph, coolly holding out
a great ruby cluster.
Mamie, will You come down from
there?" said Mr.. Ray, not seeming to
notice the cherries.
Yes, to be sure, now you've come,
and have had all the cherries I want
ed"
And while Mr.. Ray looked on in
stern disapproval, the young witch
swung herself lightly down from her
perch, and lit on the grass at his feet.
Now don't look serious, Lennox,
dear!'' she said, slipping her little
hands into his with a coaxing motion.
81 know it is Tom-boyish to climb the
cherry tree, but then it's such fun.
'Nannie, you should have been a
boy" said Lenox.
''I wish I had ! Then I wouldn't
have everybody scolding me if [ hap
pened to move. No, I don't either /;
for then you wouldn't have fallen in
love with me. What made you, any
way, dear ?" she said, with fond glance
and q caressing movement.
Because yOu are a sweet darling !"
answered Mr. Ray, melted in spite of
himself. 'But do wish, Mamie, you
would leave off these hoydenish ways
and be more dignifed."
"Like Miss Isham 2" asked Mamie.
"Miss Isham is very superior wo-
man, and it would not hurt you if you
would copy her in some respects" said
Lennox, coldly.
The tears sprang into Nannie's eyes
at his tone she loosened her arm from
his, and dropping down ON the emerald
grass at his feet, began to braid a
bracelet of the long blades, in silence,
with a grieved expression around her
sweet mouth which he did not see.
"There !" cried Lennox, pettishly
"Now you look more like Il five year
old baby than a well-bredsyoung lady"
Mamie threw away her bracelet and
got up again. 81 didn't mean to vex
You. Shall we go ~ she said.
They went into the parlOr, aud Air.
Ray took a seat in the great arm chair
while Mamie flung open the window
and dropped down on her knees beside
it, letting her glossy curls fall in a great
shower on the window sill.
"Now, don't do that p exclaimed Mr..
Ray, drawing a chair near his own.
Come here, and sit down like a ra-
tlonal being"
Mamie gave a rueful glance at the
stiff backed chair, but giving her cmls
a toss backward, obediently went and
sat down.
81 wish you would put up those fly
away curls and dress your hair as other
young ladies!do," said Mr.. Ray. "And
see here, Mamie, want to have talk
with you. You know L love you; but
in truth, my dear, my wife must have
something of the elegance of refined So
ciety. Your manners need polish, my
dear"
Mamie reddened, and her scarlet lip
curled little but she said nothing.
GA few weeks in fashionable circles
will be a great benefit to you, and I
wish you to have the opportunity. In
short, dear, I came down to tell you
that my sister Laura is making up a
party to visit some noted watering
place this summer, and she wishes you
to be one of the number. And wish
you to accept the invitation. Mamie.
care you going?' asked Mamie.
"No my practice Will not allow it.
But [ shall see you several times.
You will 60"
"Oh, Lennox, don't make me" sob
shoulder, as a vision of his stylish and
naughty sister rose before her. 81
don't want to go hate fashionable So
ciety dent want to be polished I'd
rather stay here in the country, and
not wear any bonnet, and climb cherry
trees every day
Mamie l am surprised at this
display of chilishness I must insist
on more self-control, said he, coldly.
''But don't send me away Don't
Lennox !' she pleaded
81 must r. he rtturned, but more
gently, softened little, by her agita-
ted eagarnsss. cts for yOur coed Nan
ME, 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 tears,
Mamie hastily answered, Yes, let
me go, Lennox :" and ran out of the
room, and up stairsto her own cham
ber.
They were at supper before she came
down AGAIN, with smooth curlS, ana no
trace of tears, but with a bright light
IN her brown eyes, and firm look on
her pretty face and she went through
the hall out to the vine-shaded porch
where the tea-table was set. she muir
INJURED, '' Yes, I'll so And I'll teach
You one lesson, Mr.. Lennox Ray. See
if 1 don't"
1t was Lennox Rays intention to join
his sisters party in July, but his law
business prevented him. When Mamie
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 thorough
ly by September, Mr.. Lennox -
1t was nearly the middle of Septem-
ber before Mr.. Ray, heated, dusty, and
weary, entered his room in the Scarbo-
rough hotel, where his sisters party