Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-15
" a LHiRIE-
OR
HALF p TRUTH
by THE DUCHESS. ="


sYou seem to get on very well under the
tyranny, Lady EIinor," observed Dallas,
smiling.
Because she requires it" said Beaure-
gard. Don't yG,l think so, Miss Herbert?''
How she hated that Miss Herbert" and
if she had regarded the man rs Il friend
only, she would have reminded him that
having already omitted it, he would please
her best by doing so in future; but she was
tongue-tied.
Lady Elinor came unexpectedly to the
rescue, interposing before Valerie couId
reply:
For shame, Max, trying to get Valerie
on your side! And am sure she doesn't
want you to call her Miss Herbert any
longer. Do you, Valeries"
\ light color crossed the mans brOnZed
face his dark eyes flashed He answered,
quickly:
You take Miss Herbert at a disadvant-
rye, Nellie!'
"Ah, but" said Valerie, in a low tone:
she had cOlored q little, too, but laughed
as she spoke, to hide deep feeling-''I would
much rather you dropped my surname. !
hate formalities, you know"
"And am the last man to hold by them, y
q, H.
course, in these things, the lady rnUss be
the arbiter"
It might seem a small thing, and yet it
was much to both of them, this breaking
down Of barrier which seemed to ignore
friendship. It was generous, too, in Max,
Valerie thought, with swelling heart
most generous, not to remind her, by even
the infection OF a tone, that she had SO
acted as to imply that she scarcely cared to
remember the past and certainly not to
encourage more than mere acquaintance
hip in the present. She had been cruel
end unjust to him, and he had thrust the
dagger into the sheath when she herself
had put it naked into his hands.
Once more the curtain rose, and the play
went on: and gradually Lady EiinOr grew
more tranquiizei !, though she hailed with
satisfaction the fall of the green curtain.
you're glad it is all over, Ell, Nellie?'
asked Colonel Beauregard, quizzically, as
he tool1 up Vdleric's mantle.
''Wicked feIlow Yes. l am: and I am
glad Mr.. LawfOrd wasn't i'll the house, for
he would have been rushing round like .
mailman TO make sure that Valerie was
not reduced to ashes"
''He would have known, I hope,'' said
Colonel Beauregard, quietly, though he
was white with suppressed passion at the
implied ownership of the girl, that Valerie
was in safe hands"
And as he spoke he drew the mantle
carefully about her; but there was no ten
dcrness in his touch now, and Valerie felt
rs if turned to stone, her silence lending
strength to the impression that she at least
did not repudiatc Aston Lawford's claim
t. take Il special interest in her
of cnt'' oil Tol.
"but then, you know-thanks, Mr.. Dallas
that"
81 know" interrupted Colonel Bnaure
gard, r.ther shortly that if you are much
longer Mrs. Langley will imagine we have
spirited Valerie away altogether between
US. Are you reaGy?"
Yes, yes. You military men always
want things TO be done so quickly. Thai
is right. Draw the hood well over my head
Mr.. Dallas, or shall get neuralgia You
never have that, Valerie-fortunate girl
Thanks. Mr.. Dallas"
And Lady Elinor at length tripped out
of the box, and Max followed with Valerie.
Fancy" said Lady Elinor, when bid
ding adicu to Valerie in Upper Brook
Street, chow time flies! Henley next week
and the season nearly overt l hope the
weather will be finer
YES, indeed Goodnight, and thanks
SO much for my pleasant evening. Good
night Colonel Beauregard"
The door closed upon her, and as MAY
returned to the carriage, Lady Elinor said
II suppose she will go to Henley witt
the LaWfords?"
II suppose so"
And there will be q splendid wedding
in the autumn" said Lady ElinOr, leaning
back among the luxurious cushions, and
closing her eyes "WelI, ! think Valerie
is wise. Iawtord will make a very good
husband. us husbands 90; and she will have
every wish gratiiied. What more can
girl require2"
They don't seem to require more"
''Ah, you have romantic ideas, Max; vol
are q regular Bayard. What pity! Yor
might marry millions # you chose"
''What nonsense you talk, Nellie" he
said, laughing. eff You must chatter
chatter about Henley"
But Lady Elinor yawned, and relapsad
into silence. There would be no Henley
for her this year, nor for Valerie; but Meth
er of them dreamed of this now.
CHAPTER XXyIU.-NIR. LAwFORD's PERPLEx
ITY.
Four days before Henley Regatta, au(
Colonel Baauregard and his sjster-in-lav
were alone tugether-a not very frequent
condition of things.
1t was just before afternoon tea, and sht
was reading a society paper-especially thu
items about the Marlborough House bal
two night ago, where Valerie Herbert haC
been the belle; and he was reading a lette
from Mrs. Fanshawe
Il actually heard from Valerie Herber
the other day." wrote the lady. 'Sh
rarely writes now. 1 suppose OLD friends
don't count. Not 4 long letter, and wha
should call superficial. 1 never was s.
disappointed in anyone. And it seems sh
is going to marry Aston Lawford-not tina
She SAYS So but others do. Perhaps Sh
will be happy in her way. She seems
have grown hard and worldly. / Only hop
you haven't let her make a conquest 0
you, as she has of all the other men, fo
such girl could never make you happy.
Beauregard closed the letter, and, rising
walked into the conservatory, and So
down, leaning his forehead on his hand.
''Happyr' he said, inwardly. mo!
must honor as well as love the woman
ma6elny wife; must know that her Low
Is for me, not for mine; but oh, Heayeni
could tear this love out of my heartl Use
less to try; it IS a very part of my life
nay, must carry it with me beyond tn
grave!'
He rose after few minutes and turned
back to the drawing-room; and as he en-
tered, the door opened, and Mr.. Lawfor,