Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1881-12-16


1he speaker--a tell, 1.-the, brown
named, brown-skinned young fellow of
Internationally, with an honest face
anda pair of earnest blue eyes-placed
hi1pself very deliberately in Lucy
Armstrong; way, as she was strolling
under the trees in the shady old garden,
with her hat pulled over her eyes. and
a pocket volume of some poet in her
hands, 1t was a scorching July after
noon, and Lucy had quietly slipped
away from the half dozen ladies who
were sitting round her Aunt Hester's
tea.able, discussing all the latest news
Of ihe parish.
Mark Beauclere, an aesthetic young
gentleman Of thirty, with very fine
volte, rather weak sight, and a large
inctne, was there too, but as he gene
rail- was to be found at Miss Hester
Arnstrong's tea table, he counted
almost as one OF the ladies and Lucy
was little tired Of them all, and wanted
to be alone. She looked as if she
wee having some very pleasant
thmgEts, as she sauntered under the
tres, and seemed in no way prepared
faSthe sudden interruption.
Why, George, you quite startled me, +"
shesaid, standing still, for George Leslie
had placed himself in her way. "Why
94ln,t yod go IN aud have some tea %
Aoyofcause ! wanted to talk to you,
5L9y I've been trying to get an
cgl1rtIPjtE.fet -tnli,;.,qss 20 --o.- sa., +iso
aaAw which of us are you going to give
d. Mark or mop
Seeing that ] never possessed either
ofYou, it would be rather premature of
ofne to say" and she glanced up at
hin from under the shelter of her hat.
sQhy, George, what's the matter ?" she
a4ed, laying her hand lightly upon his
am. care you ill-or-angry p
No, only heart sick and sorry and
diappo:nted," and the young fellow
looked quite haggard. 81 suppose |
ought to congratulate you, and then
eface myself as speedily as possible ;
but when fellow has cared about
somebody all his life, as | have cared
about you, it's not so easy, Lucy"
whats not easy, George? [ really
have not the slightest idea of what
you're talking about" Lucy cried grow
ing very red and confused. {" Do tell
me exactly what you mean, like a good
boy"
George WINGED, and turned aside with
rather a savage expression. To be called
"a good boy by Lucy under certain
circumstances would be all very well,
but in that tolerant, almost patroniZing
tore, it was too much.
Am [ not to congratulate You on
your engagement to Mr.. Beauclere ?" he
said, grimly.
Certainly not, was the very grave
reply. -,
tssl. Iszn1niiliating 1si eagerness. II guessed
" Mr.. Beauclere has not done me the
ionor of asking me-"
"Oh !" and Georges face fell per.
ceptibly. "But you will refuse him,
Loo, won't you? p he continued. "He
told me he was going to propose this
very day" IN savage whisper.
"Then perhaps he will inform you OF
my reply in due course, and she looked
up with droll twinkle in her bright
hazel eyes. "Now, George, if you're
not coming ID to have some tea, let me
pass, please"
But you don't care about him, Loo,
do your" he whispered, with a very
penitent glance.
Pardon me, I like Mr.. Beauclere
very much, indeed. Why shouldn't
and l thought, George, you and he were
friends"
George turned away with an exclama
tion that sounded like Confound
him, and Lucy returned to the house
serenely smiling under her broad
brimmed hat.
Inc drawlng-room was empty, but in
a little snuggery beyond, which her
aunt called her own boudoir, there was
a muffied hum of, voices, and. Lucy
smiled more comicallY than ever as she
went upstairs to change her dress for
dinner. Both George Leslie and Mr..
Mark Beauclere were to dine at "The
Nest, and Lucy, brimful of mischief,
resolved to tease George thoroughly
before she put him out of his misery.
SO she donned fresh muslin gown,
and fastened crimson rosein her hair,
and then went down and took her seat
near the drawing-room window, which
commanded the entrance to the front
garden, and with very demure smile
awaited the course of events.
Presently she was joined by heraunt,
looking gravely important, and bristling
all over with a secret. Miss Hrster
was tall, slender, keen. eyed, thin
Tipped lady of as near forty as possible,
with smooth dark hair, regular features,
and stately, not to say commanding
presence she had very beautiful white
hands, and she used them a good deal
in majestic way. When dinner was
announced it was by wave of them she
signifed to her niece that she meant to
proceed at once to the dining-room.
Lucy followed her with suppressed
amusement beaming from every feature
of her face. She guessed pretty accu-
rately what her aunt's secret was,