Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-05-17
VALHRIHi-
HALF p TRUTH.
.BY THE DUCHESS

>
me dearest; but I could not have parted
from you forever, Valerie; always my
heart Warred against the falsehood YOU
forced upon me. must have followed you
you knew loved you. Valerie, before to-
dayr'
Eyes, " she said, softly, 81 knew, I tried
to put the thought away; but that day,
when you wOuIl not let Zoe leap the gully
-
"Ah," he said, with a quick-drawn
breath, ''the mad happiness OF that ride!
and when you yielded to me, and gave me
your dear hand. Fairy Queen, you almost
conquered me then I knew felt that
your heart was mine, and yet that cruel
thought always sealed my lips, that were |
stripped of wealth you would not listen to
your heart. 1t is like treason to you to
speak of this, and yet must make confess
sion to ease my conscience" he added,
With the old bright, tender smile.
Il have the most to confess, Max" said
the girl, wistfully. Indeed, you have
nothing; you spared me what [ deserved,
or seemed to OBSERVER
spared you because I IoTed you, and
you but a STRIPPING, cast alone on brilliant
world, a reigning beauty, an idol. An!
yours was n rare nature not to be spoiled,
Valerie, and if | had known you better l
should never have doubted you; but how
little knew Of you after allr'
He sat down as he spoke, drawing her to
his side, and as Valerie nestled to him, he
added, softly:
'sIf l told you that before to-day I had
held you in my arms and kissed you, as I
do now" bending down, and touching his
lips to her brow, would you forgive me?"
Forgive you?" she said, coloring deeply;
''but-Dut, Max, whens"
'.Tne day You sprained your ankle-you
tainted and caught you, we were alone,
and the temptation was too strong for me;
/ did not touch your lips, sweetheart, but
your brow | kissed many, many times. Am
l forgiven
You know you are, Max, - the girl whis-
pered, hiding her face. more than for
givenr'
By-and-by she spoke again, not lifting
her head:
MAX, they will say-the world will say
the worst Of me-that l have been sue
cessfuI; your sister will say so, too!'
Let the world say what it will, dearest.
| know your heart, and you know mine.
Is not that enough?"
eff for you, Max, then for me, did not
care for myself"
Surely nothing can touch me when 1
have my Fairy Queen" said the soldier,
smiling. "After all, | was right when I
said you would admit me to the Fairy
Ringr'
YES" said Valerie, dreamily, Thought
so often of your saying that!'
Dearest! Well, you shall hold high
revel now under the Enchanted Oak in
\ To
light"
But was going to Lord MortOn'sI' said
Valerie, raising herself.
s'Faithr' returned Beauregard, coolly,
and drawing her into her old position.
Eve must see about that. [ don't feel in
clined to spare you. Hist! here comes the
riding party. l wish they had lost their
way; yet, thank Heaven that we both stay
ed at home, and both, think, for the same
reason-that it was suffering too great to
bear to be with each other SO soon before
parting; to wear the mask of Indifference
with breaking hearts. Am | right, Fairy
Queen?"
Eyes, Maxl'
They heard the parSJ ride up to the ter
race-steps, talking and laughing. Beaure-
gard rose, and held the girl to his heart, as
If he could not let her go.
cit is SO hard" he said, "tO release you,
but must; once more, my own" kissing
her lips tenderly; "but / shall see you
again soonr'
He released her with an effort, and Va
lerie fled up to her own dressing-room, Max
BeauregdTd returning to his study.
CHAPTER XLIX.-''MY FAIRY QUEEN"
When the party met at luncheon there
was no outward change in anyone; even
Mrs Langley preserved an atfable aspect,
but Max Beauregard and Valerie could see
the thunder-clouds behind the sunshine,
and the former smiled to himself as he
thought how radiant my lady would feel
If she only knew the truth.
After luncheon Valerie could not escape
from Lord Westbrook and the others, who
spread about the lawn and the gardens;
she would rather have been alone, but she
was so happy now that there was no need
to assume a brightness not felt.
Colonel Beauregard sought Mrs. Lang
ley, who had retired to her boudoir, and
when he knocked at the door, was sitting
tapping her foot on the floor in a state of
extreme perturbation.
Nalerie's conduct was simply distracting,
Colonel Beauregardr' she exclaimed,
IN great surprise as he entered; you wish
to see EinOr, perhaps?"
No" said he, coolly ''I wish to see
you for few minutes, if you can spare me
the time"
"Of course l can, with pleasurew she
answered, making room for him on the
lounge by her side, and more amazed than
ever
Thanks" said he, seating himself, land
pardon soldier for going straight to the
point. Is Valerie obliged TO fulfill this en-
gagement at the Morton's?"
Colonel Beauregard, I don't under
standr"
1t was wicked of him. but he could not
resist teasing her.
''No?" he said; ''well, excuses are some
times made in these cases, are they not:
and if Valerie went back to WelfOrdr'
And who told you," asked Mrs. Lang
ley, leaning back, that Valerie was going
back to Welford?"
She told me herselfr' returned Beaure-
gard, playing with his moustache
Mrs Langley looked at him steadily fo1
moment before she spoke again; but heI
scrutiny was not very satisfactory.
Valerie she said, coldly, lis impetu
Gus and capricious. She had taken into
her head to go to Wexford; but I don't
know why she need have mentioned it tc
your
Il don't see why she need go!'
''Nor |; it was her own wishr'
''Wishl hardly. If asman jumped into
the sea, as an alternative to committing
a crime. would you say he wished to be
drowned?"
.'You talk in riddles said Mrs Langley
turning pale, yet with flash of hope in
her heart.