Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-02-09
CHAPTER XIv.-"TRIED. TROUBLED, TEMPT
I'm

Z know, Valerie writes as often in reply.
must cut this tangle loose. But how?"
She rose from her davenport, where she
had been writing some letters, and walked
meditatively toward the fire. II have it, !"
she added, after pause. AFTER Christ
mas l will take her abroad; we will winter
in Italy, and return for the season. That
will be better in every way; Valerie will
make an immense success at this dance
then she will vanish; everyone will be talk
ing about her. and she will return in time
for the drawing-room, and take her place
at once as the belle of the London season.
and it will be strange if she does not pretty
well agree with me by that time that a poor
marriage is out of the question"
If Mrs. Langley had even remotely con-
jectured the true state of the case, she
would hardly, clever woman though she
was, have spoken SO confidently.
She went straight to Valerie's boudoir-
my lady had boudoir, a French maid, and
all the paraphernalIa of fashionable dam
sel-and made her proposition.
The girls eyes glowed, she clasped her
hands.
''Rome-Venice-Fl she said,
under her breath. ooh! aunt Constance
it has been the dream of my lifer'
81 am glad you like the plan, dear. If
Amy Linwood calls this afternoon, keep
her to dinner"
And she quilted the room.
"She wants me to forget Lousp' said
Valerie to herself, when once more alone;
already she was growing more worldly
wise. "She thinks we cannot correspond
so often when l am travelling about; and of
Inf
what difference would that make if-if-
Oh! Louisl'' she covered her face with a
sudden burst of tears What shall do?
l am so unhappv!'
Was she happy when, three nights later,
she stood in cream satin and pearls, ad-
mitted Queen of Beauty amid a bevy of
fair women Was she as happy as on that
night nearly six months ago, when Max
Beauregard. by look and word. told her
she was beautiful? Did she, in the second
and greater triumph, forget the firsts Not
once; yet new and perilous knowledge
was taking life and form-growing-e
panding-the knowledge of her power; the
terrible knowledge that she-girl, STRIPPING
was stronger in her beauty than strong
man in his strength, that her little hand
might grasp and crush a life. And this
whose names were household words in the
grand monde who crowded around the
debutdnte, and counted it an honor to hold
her fan, her bouquet, her gloves, or carry
a message for her; they were women uni
yersally admired, who envied her her tri-
umph, and resolved to copy her gown.
Ay, sweet was the knowledge of power
sweet the homage; and when all was over,
and too excited still for WEAKNESS, the girl
went up to her dresSing-room, her aunt
came to her, and embraced her with actual
tears of delight.
Dear chiIdr' she cried, twas ever great.
er success than yours! YOu have surpassed
even my expectations Your name will be
in everyone's mouth, Valerie. The crowd
Of beauty is yoursr'
No word of warning; only pleasure in the
triumph; and more incense added to the
clouds that had filated around the golden
head tonight And when Mrs. Langley
kissed her niece's soft cheek and told her
to lie down and rest, size babe her dream
pleasant dreams of the brilliant future be-
fore her.
And left alone, Valerie turned to the long
cheval-glass, and stood before it, stretching
her white arms above her head.
eyes," she whispered, Il am beautiful
She pushed her hand through the rich
curls, golden in the light, dark where the
shadow fell, and laughed low, soft laugh.
why should beauty give me power? but
it does-it doesp'
She paused, and her eyes grew wistful;
q mist swept before them, blurring the
dazzling image in the mirror. She turned
away slowly, and threw herself on a couch,
hiding her face in the cushion.
Queen lily and rose in one," was ring
ing through her heart, music that banished
the girlish thought of triumph and brought,
back the noble nature to its purer self
81 don't want power" she said, pressing
her hands on her burning forehead, 81 only
want to see him again-more and more
every dayl What shall do? am always,
always thinkingl'
A gentle tap at the door. Valerie start
ed. and sprang to her feet.
Come in" she said, and Fanchon ap-
peared.
"Oh! FanchonI" said the girl, "you need
not have staid up; could have taken off
these things myself"
''NademoiSelle is too kind. am used to
it, replied the Frenchwoman; and then,
while she removed robes and jewels, she
poured out her admiration of mauemoIseIIe,
| and her pleasure in mademoiselle's sue
| cess. But Valerie gave no heed the stream
| of fiattery wearied her; and she was glad
when Fanchon's duties were over, and she
was once more alone.
And at length she slept-a restless, f1tful
sleep, troubled by confused dreams, in
| which, however, last night had no part;
but it was the ball at bennington, and
though Max Beauregard was there, he
would not speak to her, or look at her,
| turning from her in anger.
"What have dones What have dones'
| she cried, in anguish in her dream; but
| ne seemed to vanish away, and weuld not
answer; and the dreamer woke herself with
| sobbing, to find it broad daylight
1t was only dream, then, after ALL ali!
| thank Heaven-only dream. Her hand
stole to the little embroidered bag that lay
| on her breast, as if what it held were a
| talisman to save her from future evil;
and with long low sigh she whispered to
| herself, "Only dreamr'
CHAPTER Xv.-HEAvY FETTERS.
The Court Circuldr-yes, here it was, q
long list of the names at Mrs. Langley
dance on Wednesday night; n society paper
| speaking in glowing terms of the extra,
ordinary beauty of Miss Valerie Herbert,
| and the sensation she created. Louis sat
| and read these things with miserable
| feeling that Valerie was drifting away
| from him; she belonged to a world in which
he had no part or lot; he was not lin her
| set" she had passed at one bound from the
| valley to the Olympian heights, and he was
left below, looking up at her.