Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-04-06

| even astute Mrs. Langley could not per-
ceiye that he avoided the girl. Angela, on
the other hand, was not slow TO profit by
her opportunities, ably assisted by her sis
ter: and Valerie seemed perfectly unmOved,
quite willing to allow Angela "a walk
over'-a contamination of which, how
ever, Mrs. Langley had no fear. Angela
Musgrave was not girl Max Beauregard
! would have selected if Valerie had never
been born. But what possessed Valerie to
fling away the very opportunity for which
she had rejected Aston Lawforl?
Mrs. Langley was beginning to grow an
CRY, impatient. Was it possible that Va
lerie still cherished Louis memory? Alb
surd! And yet, she reflected, anything
seemed possible with this extraordinary
girl.
Il must speak to herr said Mrs. Lang
ley to herself. Il thought things would
right themselves, but it doesn't seem as if
they would; and if there is risk in speak
ing, there is certainty of failure if matters
90 on as at present. She can't be falling
in love with Westbrook; no girl would look
at him with Max Beauregard by"
1t CHANGED one morning that, as Mrs.
Langley was breakfasting in her dressing
room about eleven O'Clock, Valerie, over
whose shortcomings her aunt was musing
at the moment. came in, after pTelimin-
airy tap
Aunt Constance" said she, seating her
self, not on the couch, but on the head of
it, Lady ElinOr wants to know if you
would like drive in the park by-and-by.
1t is not a bit hot out. even for you!"
"Ies!' said Mrs. Langley Il should
very much. But what are you dOing?"
glancing at an open book in the girls hand
And where are all the others?"
Valerie held up the book, laughing.
DO you see the titles" she said. Beg
gar my Neighbor'-a lovely novel; l have
| been enscouced in the library for an hour
reading this; and when leave here l am
going on with it. The Others-let me see.
On! Harry Dallas and Amy, they're al
ways together, those two are on the ter
race. Westbrook, Travers, Lady Elinor,
! Mrs. Dudley" counting on her fingers.
! ARE playing awn-tennis:and Colonel Beau
regard is on the terrace (apart from the
other two, of courseD teaching Angela
| 60 play chess. At least, ne was half an
! hour ago"
And what on earth, said Mrs. Langley,
| exceedingly annoyed by this last piece of
| intelligence, makes you withdraw your
| self from all the rest in this way"
II wanted to readn' said Valerie, swing
! ing her foot backward and forward. And
| one can't read and chatter too!'
you don't come to Il country house to
80,
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:, VI a., fo,l' ,,,,' 1o-
then. am bothered t. death.'
p.l'
my -. 60
t ~. va G''' ~ ''''''
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VI -r''Is .,...,.,..... 60, .
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ll''ilei' III ''e'' '''I
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"I'" Ft"!"aeu 'Lo o''CSS' 1N"-N''' Vi
htt"i'N"L": ..,..,r,
.Nh&eLa' th'''N! l"'llIerei''ly- .'le Il
! never iparn"' added Valerie. with another
laUgh
Nonsense! You don't suppose for an
instant that Max Beauregard cares for An,
gelaI'
No, Valerie did not Somehow, that kiss
pressed on her hand, more than Il week
ago, chung to it still; the thought of it made
her heart beat and her veins glow now
yet she answered, carelessly:
Not now, but he may; and Angela likes
him'
And pray Valerie, Is it on her account
| tb ut tlN all n I1lnpn1
Beauregard that you are absolutely indif
ferent to him?"
Valerie looked straight at cruunt: there
was a dangerous glitter in her eyes; other
wise, only little culver of the nostrils, q
settling of the firm lips, nothing more.
Mrs. Langley returned the look for 4 mo
ment, but it never wavered.
The elder lady spoke again:
valerie, let us understand each other
clearly; am to suppose that you still have
any affection for Louis ChmIcfIS>'
Il always hal an affection Tor him"
No jesilnG, Valerie; you know what
mean.'
Il never DID love him' said Valerie,
that Vas a mistake.
"Na,rr forgive me-you are answering
me truly?'
S>'''S 'h'''' '''' 'i'N Nl''iN' pA5' -'N'
may 20 back to my bool?'
Mrs. Langley paused for a moment and
reflected that 1t might be wiser to say nc
more at present. She had a*rertained one
valuable fact-Chat Valerie did not care
for Louis Charters. 1t would be better tc
leave other matters "to more convenient
season" The girl was certainly diftcHc
was she an incorrigibe coquette, or were
there some secret springs Of action which
She lMrs. Langley could not detect2 She
had thrown over Aston Lawford for Man
Beauregard, AMI now she seemed to cast
aside the prize she had PLAYED for.
Yes, you may 20 now, said Mrs. Lang
| ley. And tell Lady Elinor | shall be
| very pleased to join her about twelve
O'Clock"
Valerie went off, with still that light in
her eyes; she needed to hear no more &c
know all that was left unsaid.
She stepped out on the terrace, on her
way to the lawn. There were the groups
she had left half an hour ago. Dallas and
Amy, still walking up and down: Colonel
| Beauregard and Angela. half in light. half
in shadow. the chess-table between them.
| Max saw Valerie's white-robcd figure fit
! ting past. but he did not turn his head from
the game, and Angela did not dream how
| the farce he was forced to play wearied
| him.
"A wrong mover he said. smiling.
"Why, Angela. YOU are giving the bishop
| the rocks mover
| s.nl. L. 49, 80, ,,r,