Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-12
..Ob NTax,,, saia ANGOLA with . ~,

''Oh, Maxi'' said Angela, with pout
Valerie looked at her, at her book, at
Beauregard. Her heart pulled her one
way, her fears another. Max, not raising
his eyes from the board, said lightly:
do not fairies ever play mortal games?'
What on earth do you mean, MAXI"
asked Angela. looking in perplex;ty from
him to Valerie: but Valerie'S heart leaped
with mingled throb of pain and pleasure,
and half yielding, she said: They do some
times-and they read novels, too!''
But BeaUregard saw that he had gained
the outworks, and, soldier-like. carried the
citadel by coup.
1.-The novel has had its sharer he said,
coolly, taking the book from her hand, and
closing it; ''come and play game of chess
insteadr'
''Stand and deliverl'' cried Valerie, hid
ing her embarrassment by merry laugh.
''You are a knight of the road, Colonel
Beauregardn'
L will ask pardon, said he, when you
have scored a victory, ora second defeatr'
81 haven't admitted first defeat" said
Valerie
II can dispense with admissions. Sol
diers look at deeds rather than to words.
Angela won't mind your taking her place
for little; will you, Angela? 1t will be q
lesson to you to watch the gamer
Angela rose with tolerable grace.
you are very kind. Max, +" she said, ''to
put up with me so long. / hope / shall do
better the next time"
Il am sure you WILL" he answered, re-
setting the pieces, while Valerie took the
chair vacated by Angela, the latter seating
herself on another chair that stood near
the table.
The opening moves were just made when
Lord Westbrook made his appearance on
the terrace, and came up to the table.
Miss Herbert" he exclaimed, Lady
E.inOr has left us to go for drive. Won't
you join us? We are at a stanQstill."
q am engaged in another kind of BATTLE
said Valerie, shaking her head. "If were
ubiquitous l would help you"
Don't let me prevent you," said Beau
regard, quickly. off you prefer the lawn
tennis, we can have the chess-game another
time"
Are there any plans for this afternoon?"
he asked, presently.
81 don't KNOW haven't heard of any"
"WouId you go for a walk? There are
some lovely walks about-over the hills
and among the woods, where horses can't
GO"
'Who else can walk?"
'fNo one like you; but Mrs, Dudley can
do fair distance. WestbrO0k and Dallas;
Travers not much; Nellie won't walk in
hot weather, nor will Angela. Is Miss Lin
wood Pedestrian"
Valerie laughed.
''She calls four miles a long distance"
eve mustn't count on Dallas, then, )" said
Beauregard, quietly. But if the others
will come, will your"
The girls heart beat fast. For the last
avoided her, and now this twice he sought
her society-for the chess-game and for the
walk; and In both cases he had carried the
day-in the first by coup dc main, in the
second she could not possibly refuse with
out making refusal much more marked
than acceptance.
Il shall be very happy to come" she said
Thanks, so much. do trust the other
two will be amenable. Your move, Va
lerie. All! the luncheon bell Never
mind. l will take the game down on
stdtlt quo board, and we can finish it some
other day-if you like, that is!'
ooh! l should like to finish it!'' eXclaim-
ed Valerie, rising; and Max rose, too, and
went to fetch the StdtlG quo board. The
tennis-party came troOping in from the
lawn; Dallas and Amy Linwood turned up
from somewhere else; and all went into
the house.