The Van Buren press., 1874-01-06

entered his room in the Scarborough no
tel where his sisters party was stopping.
Dear little Mamie, he said as he
made careful tsilet before going down
stairs, "rm dying to see her, and
know she'll be glad to see me A mo-
ment of her sweet naturancss will be
quite refreshing after all these artificial
women. They don't know Two come. SO
I'll just 60 down and surprise them.
AS he entered the apartment, amid the
fash OF jewels and rustic ofsilks aud la
ces, be met his sister LauIa.
"Ien,r * you here p she said, giving
him two white hands.
YES. Where's Mamie :"
'.She was on the terrace talking with
French count, u moment ago. All there
she is by the door ="
"Ah!'' said Lennox, dropping Laura's
hand, and making his way towards 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
the floor for yard, his own little Nanaic
of thee months ago.
Lennox strobe up with scarce glance
at the bewhiskered dandy to whom she
was chatting, and held out his hand with
an eager exclamation "Nannie |"
She made sweeping curtsey, and Ian
guidly extended the tips OF her fingers;
but not muscle moved beyond what ac
corded with well bred indifference.
"Ah! good evening, Mr. Ray"
"Oh, Mamie. are YOU glad to see
mei' said Lennox, feeling his heart
chilled with Kim
On, to be sure. Mr. Ray-quitc glad.
Allow me to present Count de Beaure.
palre. Mr. Ray, monsieur
Lennox hardly deigned bow to the
Frenchman, and offered his arm 10 Nan.
ME.
You will walk with me little while !?
Thanks but the music is beginning,
and | promised to dance with Mr. Blair.
But afterwards" " said Lennox. the
chill growing colder.
Thanks again but am engaged to
Captain Thornton. "
"When, " then ? demanded Lennox with
q jealous pang
'Ah, really, my card is 50 full | hard.
ly know. ! will try to spare you waltz
with all indifferent glance
Lennox bent down, and spoke, with
bitter reproach In his tone, Good heav-
ems. Mamie! What stfeetation is this ?
She favored him with well bred stare.
Pardon do not understand you.
And taking the arm Of her escort, she
walked away with the air OF an empress
Lennok sought his sister.
Laura, how have you changed Nan
mic SO p he demanded
Yes, she is changed-grcatly improv
ed Isn't she perrect?'
'Perfecti Rather too perfect to suit
me!
TO morrow, l shall see more of Nan
ME he thought.
But tomorrow aud to morrow, and
to- morrow it was always the same; and,
: that elegant Miss Irving, as they styl.
ed her, was always in demand. She
played the role Of an accomplished lady.
icy hearted coquette to perfection and
poor Lennox, from the distance in which
she kept him, looked on almost heart
broken, varying between wrath, jealousy,
pride and despair.
Mamie! said he, one morning when
he found her alone, 'how long is this to
lasty'
How long is what to last, asked Nan
ME, innocently.
How long are you going to remain
the conventional creature you are ?
Il believe you wished me to come here
to improve my manners, Mr.. Ray; to ac
quirc the elegance Of societyT she said,
coldly.
But Mamie
Your sister thinks | have been an apt
pupil.
Yes, too apt by heavens - cried Len.
nox.
well, if you amt pleased with the re.
suit Of your own advice, | am not to
tlame You must excuse me, Mr.. Ray
am going to ride with Count de Beau.
repairc.
she made graceful gesture of adeu,and
left him sick at heart, puzzled and dis
gusted.
That afternoon, rs Laura ana Mamie
were about dressing for the evening, Len
nox walked, unannounccd, into Laura's
little parlor. where they sat alone.
Il thought I'd drop in and say good
bye before you went down stars, said
he. Il leave for London to night.
Laura elevated her eyebrows \ little.
Sudden, isn't it? But since you are
going. will give you some commits.
sions.
You needn't. shall only stay in
town for a day.
Indeed! Where are you goingY
oh, | don't kaow, was his savage re.
ply.
Laura gave him a look OF cool surprise.
AT least you will take note to
George for me.
Yes, you get it ready, said he, un-
graciously.
Very we'll; | will write it now.
Laura went to her own room, and Len
nox stood moodily at a window Pres
emily Mamie, who had not spoken one
word, came and stood near him.
Are you really going awayT she
asked.
Yes, am, was the short answer.
And won't you tell US where''
Il don't know mysclf-ncither know
NOR coro y ha urowlad