Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-09-29
AN ILLU SION

Ii Lefebvre'S S two sisters and his aunts
had not treated the whole thing so su-
perciliously, and his cousin Laura, in
spite of her generous behavior, had not
every now and then looked large-eyed
disapproval, very lively it would have
come to nothing long before. But of
course those women, and host Of other
female relations, were not going to be
wiser than he Lucian Lefebvre, captain
of the engineers and colonel by brevet,
stationed at the capital, and guardian of
the nations citadel-dancing duty, Bell
called it,
" introduced to that doll ?" said Bell.
when he came up to them, at the sec
retary's, proposing the introduction.
Bell was the married sister Helen was
unmarried, and little pdSSee, but a
person of dignity. "Why, does she
talk ?"
"Quite pretty piece of mechanism,
said his aunt. every well put to-
gether."
Lefebvre looked at them in amaze
ment and Indignation. Really" said
he, " it is wonderful what women are
made Of"
=" Not this one, " said Helen, deliber-
ately putting up her glass. "'She is
false from the crown of her head to the
sole OF her foot. How can you be so
taken in? I don't know what You are
made OF Lucian, to think of introducing
such creature to your sisters, nor how
she made her way here"
lie was just turning on his heel in
speechless anger, but remembering he
had left the side of the lady in dispute
for the avowed purpose of bringing his
sisters to her, he exclaimed: "What-
ever she IS, some of you must come with
me and be presented to her, as I am here
for that purpose, and will not have her
insulted."
"Indeed !'' said Helen, looking over
the top of her fan into infinite space, but
not stirring.
&C I will go, Lucian," said Laura, who
had not spoken. "Come, Bell, help
me out"
"Well, Laura, for q little goose /!
However I will never desert companion
in arms. Do you suppose she has OBJ
served our council of war ?" as they
moved off beside Lucian, with his chin
well in the air. ''She is fine picture.
A person should go on the stage that
can make up as well as that I should
like to see her in the privacy of her mid
night retirement. How old should you
think? Forty?"
"Forty p cried Lucian. 81 heard
her myself arranging for picnic on her
twenty-third birthday"
How touching! In the life to come.
Her twenty-third She'll never see her
forty. third again in this life"
"Bellr
ooh yes, Lucian; if you choose to
force unwelcome acquaintance on your
s family, at least they must enjoy freedom
of opinion concerning it. The very set
the woman is with speaks for her. Good
evening, general What O crush All
because of this young Russian hero-a
beauty, isn'th ? All, you too are making
for the cynosure, see; all the world is
being presented. twill never do not to
follow the fashion"
And directly Lucian was presenting
his sister, Mrs. Carrier, and his cousin.
Miss Laura Nelson; and Miss Nelson
had behaved exactly as Lucian wished:
and although he could never have said
what was wanting in Mrs. Garnier's be-
havior, he knew that q challenge of de-
fiance was i'll her very air, and that her
mere manner had told the other woman
what she thought of her. Perhaps Bell
presumed that that was the way to
manage him. He would shortly let her
know.
Colonel Lefebvre came clattering down
stairs next morning, his horse waiting at
tie door.
Whittier bound, Luciano" cried
Helen, from the library.
10 ride with Mrs. De Berrian."
"Oh, your new widow" she said,
gayly. Have you called yet2 Nof
How very accommodating in her to ride
with you first p
She is not punctilious FOOL" he
muttered, drawing on his glove.
"Cer'ain punctilios," put in Aunt
Susan, care only self-respect."
If You will 60 and call with me,
Nell, said Lucian, "I've no doubt she
will postpone the ride"
Now, Lucian dear, you know I hate
not to crafty you," said Helen. i" But
really the last thing Bell said was that il
would not do. She should not call, nor
could I, if for nothing else, for little
Laura's sake, who is too young and inno
cent to have anything to do"
" Just as you please" he said, angrily
and had slammed the door behind him
You can imagine his surprise when, al
he reined his horse mp at the steps of th,
house where Mrs. De Berrian was visit
ing, he saw his cousin Laura coming
down with Mrs. Vaughn, leader of tn
fashions. with whom she sometimes wen