Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-03-07

IL was nearly the mlulle ol 9tV-e'"0e' '
fore Mr.. Roy. heated, dusty and weary, enter
cd his room at Scarborough Hotel, where his
sisters party was stopping. Dear !'i'le Ma
~ be said as he made a careful toilet before
going down stairs i am dying 10 see her,
and know she'll be glad to see me. \ mo-
mept of her sweet naturalness viii equte re-
freshing after all these artificial women. They
don't know I've come, and I'll just 20 down
and surprise them
As he entered the apartment amid the flash
Of Jewels aud rustic Of silks and laceS, he met
his sister Laura.
Lennox yoI here? she said, giving him
two white hands.
Yes. Where's Mary ?
She was on the terrace talking % French
Count moment ago. All there She Is at the
door
An said Lennox, dropping Laura's hand
aud making bis way towards the door.
But II was difficult even when be drew near
her t. see in the stylish, stately lady. whose
hair was put up over a monStIous chSnln
and whose lustrous robes swept over the iioor
COR ward his own little Mary Of the months
ago.
the bewhiskered dandy to whom she was chat
ting. and held out his hand with an eager eN-
clamaiion. Mary.
She made sweeping courtesy, aud lansuld-
" extended the tips Of her fingers, but not
muscle moved beyond what accorded with we'll
bred indifference.
All good evening Mr.. Ray
oh. Mary, are you not glad 70 see me {?
said Lenuox. feeling his heart chilling within
oh, to be sure, Mr. Ray, quito glad Allow
me to present Count &c Beaurepaire. Mr.. Ray,
/ Monsieur
Lennox hardly deigued to bow 70 the French
man. and offered bis arm to her.
Thanks, but the music is beginning, and !
! promised to dance with Mr.. Blair
But afterwards? ? said Lenncx, the chill
/ growing colder
Thanks sgain, but am engaged to Captain
/ Thornton.
when, then Z? demanded L.nnox with a
/ jealous pang.
All really. my card IS 50 Full that hardly
/ know. l will try 70 spare you waltz some
where with an Indifferent glance.
/ Leunox bent down aud spoke with bitter re-
proach in bis tone: Good lleavcus, Mnry.-
What afiectation is this?
She favored him with q well-brei stare
! 'Pardon. do not understand you
Aud taking the arm Of her escort, she walk
ed away with tie air Of Al empress.
Iensox sought lis sister
Laura, bow have you changed Mary 2 he
dcmardcd.
Yes, she IS changed, greatly improved
Isn't she peTiectg
'Pe,fcct2 Rather too perfect TO snit me.
Tomorrow shall see more OF Mary, be
thought
But Tomorrow and tomorrow it was always
the same. and that elegant Miss Irving, as
they styled her, was always 10 demoud She
pIaycd tie role Of an accomplished lady aud
gay-heartcd coquotte % perfection; and poor
Iennox. from the distance in which She kept
him. looked ON almost broken-hearlel, ycrg-
ing between wrath, pride aud despair.
Mary. said he. Que morning, when be found
Ler alone, how long is this to lasty
How long is what TO last j.? asked Mary, In
nocently.
How long are you going 10 remain lhe con-
ventional creature you are?
Il believe You wished me 20 como here to i'm
prove my manners, Mr. Ray: to acquire th'
elegance of society She said coil.y.
But, Mary.
Your sister thinks have been an apt pm
Yes, too apt too apt entirely cried Len
nox
Well. if You arc not pleased with the resul
Of your own advice, ] am NOT % blame. Yo'
must excuse me, Mr. Ray am going 70 riJ
with Count de Bcaurepaire.
And With her sweetest. h0li9wc.t smile, sh'
made a graceful gesture ui adieu, aud left bin
sick at heart, puzzled and Disguised
That afternoon as Laura aud Mary were a
bout dressing ior the evening Lennox walked
unanuounced into L1ura's little parlor, whcr
they sat alone
i thought I'd drop in and say good bye be-
, fore YOU went down stairs, said be. i leay
for London tonight
Laura elevated her eyebrows little
Sudden, isn't it2 But since you ere going
will give YOU some commissions.
You needn't shall only stay 10 town f9
a day
Tudeed Where are you going?
oh. don't know, was the savage reply.
Laura gave him a look % cool surprise.
At least you viii take a note TO George foi
me
Yes, If you get it ready said he unsrcci7us
ly.
Very well, I will write it now
Laura went 70 her room, Lenuox stoo,
moodily at thewindow Presently Mary, wh,
bad not spoken one word, came aud stood nea
him.
Are you really going away 2 she asked.
Yes, | am was the short answer
And won't you tell me where
4 don't know myself-neither know noI
care be growled.
She slipped her baud into bis arm with th'
OLD caressing movement he remembered s'
well, and spoke 90 gently, using his name io'
the first time since be came.
but, Lennox dear, II you 60 away OF some
where what shall doT
lie Turned suddenly and caught her to bis
heart
Oh, Mary, Mary" he cried pas.ions,e'y, I'll
you would only come back % me and love me
If | could recover ny lost treasure, ! would
no, 60 anywhere. Oh, my lost love, Is It toc
lateg
She lail ber face down against bis shoulder
aud asked
Ienuox. dear, tell me which you love the
best, the Mary you used to know or the fash
iouabe young Lady you found here 2
oh, Mary darling, be cried, clasping her
closer, i wouldn't give one precious toss Of
your old brown curls for all tho fashionable
Young ladies 10 the world. wo1in't give
one careless ring Of your merry laugh f0r all
the polished ladies in society. ! wouldn't
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