The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-03-24
A. FOOLISH MISTAKE.
CHAPTER I.

"Lucy, which of us are you going to
give up, Mark Beauclere or ME? It
must be one Of us, dear, and the sooner
you decide the better"
The speaker tall, 1.-the, brown
haired, brown-skinned young fellow of
three-and-twenty, with an honest face
and pair of earnest blue eyes-placed
himself very deliberately in Lucy Arm
strong's 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. TIt was a scorching July after
noon, and Lucy had quietly slipped
away from the half-dozen ladies who
were sitting round her Aunt Hestar's
tea-tab!e, discussing all the latest news
of the parish.
Mark Beauclere, an sesthetic yonng
gentleman of 80, with very fine voice,
rather weak sight and large income,
was there too, but, as he generally was to
be found at Miss Hester Armstrong;
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 were having some
very pleasant thoughts, as she sauntered
under the trees, and seemed in no way
prepared for the sudden interruption.
Why, George, you quite startled
me, " she said, standing still, for George
Leslie had placed himself in her way.
"Why didn't you go in and have some
tea?"
Because l wanted to talk to you,
Lucy. I've been trying to get an OPP
portunity of talking to you for the last
week, and 1 couldn't. 1 want to know
which of us you are going to give up,
Mark or me?"
"Seeing that l never possessed either
of you, it would be rather premature Of
me to say, land she glanced up at him
from under the shelter of her hat.
"Why, George, what's the matter ?" she
asked, laying her hand lightly upon his
arm. care you ill-or-angry q
"No, only heart-sick and sorry and
disappointed" and the young fellow
looked quite haggard. 81 suppose I
ought to congratulate you, and then
efface myself as speedily as possible /;
but when fellow has cared about some
body all his life, as 1 have cared about
you, it's not so easy, Lucy"
"What's not easy, George? 1 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 good
boy"
George WINGED, and turned aside with
- ~ hAps NJ 1.an 1oI
ga good boy" by Lucy under certain
circumstances would be all very we'll,
but in that tolerant, almost patronizing
tone, it was too much.
cam 1 not to congratulate you on
your engagement to Mr.. Beauclere ?" he
said grimly.
Certainly not" was the very grave
reply.
"Then you've refused him, Lucy ?"
with humiliating eagerness. at
guessed you would"
d" Mr.. Beauclere has not done me the
honor ofasl1ing me-"
"Ah !" and Georges face fell percep-
tibly. "But you will refuse him, Loo,
won't you?" 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
mp with a droll twinkle in her bright
hazel eyes. "Now, George, if you're
not coming in to have some tea, let me
pass, please"
"But you don't care about him, Loo,
do you?" he whispered, with very
penitent glance.
Pardon me, like Mr.. Beauclere very
much, indeed. Why shouldn't II and
! thought, George, you and he were
friends"
George turned away with an excla-
nation that sounded like "Confound
him, and Lucy returned to the house.
sere1ely smiling under her broad.
brimmed hat.
The drawing-room was empty, but in
little snuggery beyond, which her aunt
called her boudoir. there was muffleo
hum of voices, and Lucy smiled more
comically than ever as she went up
stairs to change her dress for dinner.
Both George Leslie and Mr.. Mark Beau
clere were to dine at "The Nest" and
'1ucV OrlnlW OF mlSCmeI. resolved 20
tease George thoroughly before she put
him out of his misery.
So she donned fresh muslin gown,
and fastened crimson rose in 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 avan&s
Presently she was joined by her aunt.
looking gravely important, and bristlino
all over with secret. Miss Hester was
a tall, slender, keen-eyed, thin-lipped
lady of as near 40 as possible, with
smooth dark hair, regular features, and
a stately, not to say commanding, pres
ence; she had very beautiful white