Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-01-13
V.AIIEjRIE-
HALF p TRUTH.
by THE DUCHESS.

Delighted, of course" he answered.
"The two young ladies gushed very much
about you; thought you most charming"
Indeed! Didn't they want you to stayf"
''They did me that honor i am very
glad didn't"
eve are going to give regimental ball, !"
said Mrs. Fanshawe, in explanation, TO
Valerie, "and Captain Beauregard, who
was on duty to-day, rode Off when he was
free, to carry an invitation TO Mrs. and the
Misses Morton, at AntwelL Do you know
them?"
only by name" replied Valerie, smil-
ing inwardly at the idea Of the poor in
mates Of the Lines knowing the grandees
at AntwelI.
They seem nice people. Ihope you have
no engagement for the til of July" pur-
sued Mrs. Fanshawe, 'for / want you to
give us the pleasure Of your company"
''I!'' said the girl, almost catching her
breath, and flushing all over with delight
and establishment. "Oh! You are too kind
TO ask me; butn-the sweet lips Quiyered-
the young voice shook n little-"I don't
think can come; indeed know cannot"
she added bravely
But you must, said Max Beauregard,
very low. Il have promised myself three
dances at least"
do you mean that you have another en-
gagement2" asked Mrs. Fanshawe, pour
Lg ont the tea, and not thinking anything
OF the sort
NO. Mrs. Fanshawe. | should like TO
come SO much. have never been 10 a ball
in my life. 1t isn't that. Only" said Va
leric, with n choking feeling in her throat,
and something very like tears glittering
on her long lashes, 81 have no one to come
with My uncle would not go TO ball for
anyone: and-and IdOn't know how | could
get here. either"
'Is that all?" said Mrs. Fanshawe, with
asunny smile That little difficulty is soon
surmountcd; can send our carriage for
you early, and you can come back here,
and go to the town hall with us"
Cap cried the girl, cIaspiug her hands,
81 cannot let you do that, Mrs. Fanshawe."
Miss Herbert" interrupted Captain
Beauregard, Gravcly, "the resolution has
been put and carried mem. con. Tea and
cake are the next subjects on the paper.
Allow me-" handing her the articles speci-
fled; and the General laid carcssng hand
on the girls golden curls.
I'VE couldn't spare your he said. "Out
of the question: Why, you'll be the belle
of the ball" Don'tyou give Beau too many
dances: keep some for the others, or there'lI
be mischief"
So Valerie was obliged to yield willing
ly enough, it must he allowed And, after
NIL, She was to have her wish-to 20 to n
ball, and, above everything, n military
ball. She admitted, in confidence, to Cap
tain Brauregard, how much she had de-
sired this. and now her desire had come
about quite, AZ it seemed, by chance.
IF there is such n thing "a chance, >" said
he
What happy evening that was To Va
lrricl How often she looked back upon it
aftrrward with vain regret
Louis Chnrteris was somehow, not act
ually forgotten, but relegatcd to the back
ground Certainly Max Deaurcgarl was
n man more formed than simple, country
bred Louis TO win womau'' or II girls
imagination handsome, brilliant Il man
of the world, and IA soldier, who though no
more than thirty, had seen much service,
done brave deeds, and won glory IN many
II foughtcn field"
Valerie was opening her young eyes upon
u new World-a world that seemed to her
very bright and dazzling, full Of light and
color: and Captain I}caurc CARDS voice was
so soft and finely modulatcd, and he talked
us Louis could not talk o. course he was
older and more intellectual, and had had
longer and more varied experience; but
That only accounted for facts, it did not
alter them. Poor Loug
But shortly after dinner thc storm had
long Ccascd), Valerie asked if she could re
turn home now; she ought not To he late.
'Nou will BE- early if you leave here ut
nine" said Mrs. Faushawc. Captain
li""urouard is going todriyc you over, ism t
hep Your uncle knows where you are.
Shall John take n message to your quar-
ters, Max. to send up the dogcart?"
''Thnnks-ycs.
The message was sent and ut nine o'clock
Valerie went up with Mrs Fanshawc'S
maid To he nrraycd in her own garments;
but the Generals wife insisted on adding
thcrcunto warm mantle; aud she took
the girl in her arms, and kissed her aTcc-
tionatcly
"Iou must let me come and see you soon,
dear, said she; "and you must come and
see me-
And Valerie put hcrarms round the kind
lady's neck, and could only whisper, brok-
culy:
J can't thank you-l can't speak"
II shall want n kiss, too, YOU know :"
said the General. This sort of thing
won't dc, Miss Valerie; its putting STUN
bling blocks in your neighbours way"
y don't mind, said she, turning round
to him with Il happy smile.
Don't You? Then am sure | don't"
said he, and he took her hands and kissed
her. And mind we see you very, very
often. my dcar."
And he took her down to the door, where
Captain B@aurrgard was waiting for her;
and without stood n spruce dogcart, with
handsome aud very spirited chestnut
horse
BcaurcEard lifted the girl to her place.
and mounted beside her; there was Il last
haSso good night from the door, and sill
very response from the duCcart, and off
went the chestnut. mt exactly the pace
aud no faster his driver chose Max
BraurcEard was a first rate whip, and the
horse must be Of a new type that could
master him