Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-09-04
FAIR MAY Of MAYFAIR.

FAIR MAY Of MAYFAIR.
Ii was that iDcorrigible wag an,
unsuitable newsmonger, Mark Beck
WINK, Esq, who christened her, ant
the fatuitous familiarity offasaionabl,
Mayfair soon led to the general adop
ton OF the phrase Society was tick
led by the quaint inversion Of tn,
names, and as really little or nothing
was known about the young lady, i
was held 10 be highly humorous
mode OF speaking of her. Indeed
beyond the fact OF her youth, extrem,
beauty and gracious manners haG
turned the heads of the young swells
who had been introduced to her, she
was mystery 10 her name. She
was simply called May by the few
who were on familiar terms with her
and Miss May by the many whose
acquaintance was more distant.
Old lady Tressleton brought hel
out and introduced her at the fag. end
OF the season of 1860, as her young
friend May; but whence she came OF
who she was, the naughty dowagel
gave no hint. Very few people had
the courage to press the old lady up.
on any point she was reticent on
ana when one or two intrepid indi.
vIduals made the attempt to e,ucidate
this May mystery, they were SC
polntedly shut up on their questions
so cleverly evaded, that return as
they would to the charge, they were
always worsted. Notorious for her
imperious and eccentric ways, it was
set down that this was only one OF
the many fads the aristocratic dame
was constantly poing in for. Her
fancles and whims were never ques.
toned. Her birth and position, in
spite OF her want of wealth, warranted
what she did as the right thing no
matter how odd or queer
Sir Hans Tressleton, third baronct.
had lett her a widow with one son,
thirty years ago; but the lad never
was quite straight, and at the age of
tour and twenty went out to the West
Indies, where his father had property,
and there died within twelve months.
Ever since this event Lady Tressle.
ton had shown at intervals partial.
ity for protecting and patronizing
some one. May was by no means
her first favorite, though OF the three
previous ones she had never hesitated
to give iull account, which led to
each and all getting well settled in
life. In short, she was a match. maker;
1t had become her hobby, and it was
thought that her only reticence re.
garding her protege that held back
the ambitious youth OF the hour -
However, as | have said, May being
all that fashionable young lady
should be, and most delightful girl
to boot, she was gradually accepted
without much further questioning.
'Pon my honor, she's regular
sumner young Falkham, of the Life
Guards Gray, was declaring one eve
ming during the season of-lS6I, to
Beckwink, the lad of all others most
likely to know who was who. But
who do you really think she is, Marco?'
Among the coterie of young swells
who frequented the smoking room of
the Darby club, where the talk was
going on, nobody was supposed to
know so much as Beckwink. He was
the real referee in all matters of fash
ionable mystery; but he had long
confessed himself baffied about Miss
May, though his defeated curiosity
was solaced. when he found how pop
ular his cognomen for her had become.
Il can never tell what the deuce
her name is he answered. Whether
May is her christian or surname, or
both, or either, I'll be hanged if
can tell I've tried the old woman
from all sides. bat never got any
nearer. So sure as l lead up to the
question and think I've cornered her,
some COMPOUNDED thing turns the
conversation or she turns it herself
with such dexterity that you are no.
where again in minute. Once |
said point blank, rs May christian
or surname?' and Lady Tressleton
answered coolly, Whichever you
like; it is short for Mary or Martha
or Margaret and ought always to be
used when people give their children
such dreadful names as these. Some.
times girl is chrstened May; and
once knew Captain May, a very
gallant soldier YES | said, sbut |
am thinking of Miss May, your
'Ah,' broke in the old woman instant
ly, you are not singular in that, Mr..
Beckwink; a good many young men
are thinking OF her, but they seem
only to think none Of them have
spoken yet ; the field is still OPEN
Oh, you are sad fellows, you men,
nowadays; very few of you have the
courage OF your opinions And do
you know went on Beckwink, as he
recounted this conversation to his
friend, Il think the old woman was
making bid for me. But, hang it
all, how could follow marry girl
without knowing her name 2
'Bnt perhaps her name is May
said Falkham, with wag of bis sa.
pient head
Perhaps it is. Why.of course it is!'
But | mean Miss May, don't you
know?'
well, that's what l say; she's
called Miss May; but May what !?
That's what i want to know
why, May, l keep telling you"
urged the guardsman.
'Confound it, | know that, as well
as you do; but you won't pretend to
tell me that her name is Miss May
May; it would be quite too ridiculous
for anything
Bet you pony that's it, Marco
Il will trouble you, gentlemen, to
take care what You say about that
young lady, here interrupted tall,
lean, hatchet-faced, but distinguished
looking young man. with a sneer
wrinkling his right nostril, upper lip
and eyebrow. He had been loung-
ing listlessly through the room, and
had accidentally come within earsb ot
OF the speakers 1T is coming to
mass he continued takinu a huoa