The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-03-17
A FOOLISH MISTAKE.
CHAPTER I.


"Lucy, which OF us are you going to
give up, Mark Beauclere or me? 1t
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
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-tab!e, discussing all the latest news
of the parish.
Mark Beauclere, an eesthetic young
gentleman of 30, 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;
ea-tab!e, 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. E
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
rtea?"
Because 1 wanted to talk to you,
Lucy. I've been trying to get an OPP
portunity of talking to you for the last
week, and couldn't. 1 want to know
which OF us you are going to give up,
Mark or me?'
Seeing that never possessed either
OF you, it would be rather premature of
me to say" and 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. Are you ill-or-angry
"No, only heart-sick and sorry and
disappointed, and the young fellow
looked quite haggard. 81 suppose /
ought to congratulate you, and then
efface myself as speedily as possible;
but when fellow has cared about some
body all his life, as have cared about
you, it's not so easy, Lucy"
"What's not easy, Georgep I 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
rather a savageexpression. To be called
ga good boy" by Lucy under certain
circumstances would be all very well.
but in that tolerant, almost patronizing
tone, it was too much.
Gam L not to congratulate you on
your engage .lent to Mr.. Beauclere 2" he
said grimly.
Certainly not" was the very grave
reply.
"Then you've refused him, Lucy' ?"
with humiliating eagerness. CT
guessed you would"
"Mr. Beauclere has not done me the
honor of asking me"
"Ah T. and Georges face fell percep-
tibly. But you will refuse him, Loo,
won't your" he continued. "He told
me he was going to propose this very
day." in a savage whisper.
"Then perhaps he will inform you ct
my reply in due course" and she looked
MP with droll twinkle in her bright
hazel eyes. CHOW, George, il you're
not coming in TO have some tea, let me
pass, please"
"But you don't care about him, Loo,
do your" he whispered, with q very
penitent glance.
"Pardon me, like Mr.. Beauclere very