Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-03-23

tee in he matchmaking school, poor
child!
1--WE are fortunate not TO have missed
seeing YOU" Max said. gently, for 1 dare
say Mrs Dudley wanted 10 run off with
yoa-''
She did, am glad didn't go said
Valerie, laughing, and crossing the room
as she spoke TO shake hands with Lady FL
inor
And now ace are going to carry You off,
my dear exclaimed that lady, thinking
with disElay, even while she spoke, that
Valerie boxed distractinsly lovely.
Carry me off-where2" repeated the
girl, looking quickly from the speaker &c
her aunt
Not now" explained Mrs Langley.
but in tae end of July. Lady EGnor has
invited Us to stay at AObot's Leigh for
three weeks, and you will be delighted tC
hear thatI have accepted the invitation"
1t was well for Valerie that she had ac-
quired in the fashionable world no small
measure Of self-command, and was able tc
reply, with ready smile and words, turning
&c Lady Elinor:
How kind of youl That will be a great
pleaSure.'
And as Valerie has never seen Abbot's
Leigh said Mrs. Langley, turning to
beauregard, ''she will have TO be restricted
III her rovingS among its treasures"
Il hope not" he said, smiling, only 1
imagine her tours OF inspection would be
something like royal progress. And re-
member, Valerie, that you need not bring
your horse with you. l have three beau.
ties. pure-bred Arabs, for you to choose
from; but one of the three, if you allow me
to make the choice, will especially suit
you"
Thanks, so much. OF course I would
accept your choice-you would know best
in such n case"
Even as she spoke came the bitter
thought, He will think l am trying to
make myself amiable to himr' and she
turned from him, as if TO listen TO what
Lady Elnor was saying, dismissing the
matter.
Someone" said Lady Elinor, laughing.
"called those three Arabs the three lovely
Cummings, and the name has stuck to
them. Max makes such fuss with them.
Which of the three did you mean just now,
Max"
Zoe"
"The gem of the triol But she is very
spirited"
valerie can ride a spirited horser' said
Beauregard, smiling, as if the idea of her
needing quiet one was rather amusing.
Il hate 4 quiet horse'' said Valerie, care
lesslv.
And all this time she was saying to her
self:
How he must despise me! how false,
how contemplate l must seem TO him!
And yet he is so kind, so generous-makes
me welcome to his house! | will find out
whether aunt Constance worked that in
vitation. He cannot really wish me to go.'
She certainly never dreamed that Max
Beauregard had in fact, been the wire
pulIer. and not the naturally suspected
aunt Constance.
Tea was brought up, and shortly after
ward Lady ElinOr and Colonel Beauregard
took leave; and as soon as they We're gone
Valerie askeI her aunt, almost abruptly,
if Lady Eiinor's invitation was bona fIc.
Perfectly, my dear, replied Mrs. Lang
ley, quietly. Indeed, although | thought
it possible she might ask us, she was as
likely not to do 50. She wants to get Max
for Angela, and you might prove Il dan
gerous rival
angela is welcome"' said Valerie, 60
ing 10 the piano anu opening H. / Snall
certainly not interfere with herr
lt was the first allusion she had made to
the veXed question, and Mrs. Langley held
her peace; but she felt some dismay, never
thelesS. She had tiattered herself that the
girls comparatively cavalier treatment of
Max Beauregard to-day was only the first
shrinking OF pride from the task before
her; but if the girl was bent on taking a
perverse course, where might it all end?
But, after all, Valerie would probably win
BeaureXard, in spite of himself, and then
the wise matron felt sure that victory would
be with the soldier
And Valerie could not have toll whether
she looked forward with most longing ul
most dread to this visit to Abbot's Leigh.
To see the grand old pile thaJ called him
lord, to roam through its vast chambers
and galleries, had hacn her day -dream; but
to be his guest, to stay under his roof to
be with him in his home-hS daily com
panion-were happiness indeed strange,
feverish happiness, without rest or peace
but happiness still-every heart-throb a
throb of pain-and yet with the pain, the
thrill of the passionate gladness that only
love can know.