Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-19
VAI-Ei7RIF,
HALF p TRUTH.
"BY THE DUCHESS. i"
CHAPTER XL.-oYER THE HILLS.

for such service?'
valerie has already promised, if other
soldiers can be found Who will join the
colors?"
81, for one," said Lord Westbrook
"And |" said Mrs. Dudley, ''if you don't
go too far, and climb too much"
"Are you good for climb over Mervyn's
| Hill, and through the woods?' asked Beau
regard.
The widow made a moue.
''H'm!-yes-part of the way" she said;
''and Valerie?"
ooh! Valerie can do her twelve or fifteen
miles, and climb like a goat" said Beau
regard.
Nonsense! Can you, Miss Herbert?"
Eyes" said Valerie, amused at the ques-
tion. ''Why not?"
"Why not? can't walk twelve miles,
Colonel"
| with good rests you can, he answered;
''or ten, at any rate. Amy more volun-
teers?"
| But Amy shook her head; Dallas held
his peace; and Angela, after biting her
lips, suggested riding instead.
''But you can't ride over these hills, and
IN the wood" said Mrs. Dudley, who had
mentally appropriated Max Beauregard,
and handed Valerie over to Lord West
brook.
| Mrs. Langley said nothing; the walk
| commended itself to her, but she was not
going to arouse Valerie's antagonism.
cit is not for me to decide" said Beaure-
| gard. II put it to the meeting"
| Up went Mrs. Dudley's, Valerie's, and
| Lord Westbrook's hands for the walk, and
| only Angela's for a ride, the rest giving no
! vote at all.
"The pedestrians have itr' cried Lilias
Dudley, laughing; and Lady Elinor con-
| cealed her annoyance in a smile.
Colonel Beauregard was alone On the
terrace, lounging against the balustrade,
smoking cigarette, when Valerie appear
ed attired in dress of fine serge, cream
| colored, with open red collar, red sash,
| and jaunty little crimson cap on her head.
Max flung away the cigarette, and sur
veyed the lovely picture before him, with
| half-unconscious smile in his dark eyes.
''You are q good soldier, Valerie" he
said, always quick and punctual. " Then,
after seconds pause, You had on a
gown made like that the first time I saw
yCd."
Valerie, pulling J her long gloves, start
ed and colOred her heart leaping up with
wild bound. He had never before spoken
of that day; and his doing so now almost
startled her out of her self-possession-
not quite-she turned aside with a half
laugh.
$50 | had! Fancy remembering thatp'
I have a good memory" he said, a little
c4yly. II remember great many things
besides thatr'
Very likely" with a shrug. 81, for my
part, often find that one month chases an
pther out of ones headr'
''Often!-not always-a wise distinction.
Then you can remember or forget at wilf
So convenient! wish I could.'
'EEXactly!' returned Valerie, cooIly, as
if he had spoken in good faith, and not sar-
castically; and as she spoke she plucked a
rosebud for her dress, turning her back to
him to do this Il WISH" she added, di-
rectiy, the others would come What a
time they arap'
Lord WestbroOk appeared at that mo-
ment, and Mrs Dudley few minutes later,
and they started for the walk-Valeue
with her young heart in tumult of pas
SiOnate emotion, and resolving to show
Max Beauregard that, among the things
convenient" to forget, he himself held
foremost place. To which end she kept by
Lord Westbrook's side and whenever the
path obliged separation into couples, al
lowed Colonel Beauregard to lead with
Mrs. Dudley, or fall behind; as the case
might be, and Beauregard made no attempt
to interfere with this arrangement; wheth-
er he acQueSced in it, or intended it to last
throughout the walk, was another matter.
They crossed the park, struck through a
stretch of woodland beyond, and gained
bit of open moorland. Here Mrs. Dudley
elevated her scarlet umbrella; but Valerie
was guiltless of such an article, also of
gloves, which she had long ago pulled off
and consigned to Westbrook for safe Gus
tody.
"Oh! it is hotp' cried the widow.
cit is delicousi'' said Valerie. "And
we shall soon be in the woods again."
pointing ahead to the hill clothed with
thick foliage.
The girl was almost dancing along now.
Beauregard watched her, but turned to
Mrs. Dudley.
sit is n steep path for some little way"
he said, ''and then a regular climb--that
is, if you care to get to the top. Once there,
you have a magnificent view!'
Il shall go to the top" declared Valerie,
promptly.
"And will go where you do" said Lord
Westbrook, lowering his voice.
''That is if will let you" replied Beau
ty, nonchalantly. "And perhaps you can't
climbn
''Try me!' returned the young man.
sit will be a good test" said Colonel
Beauregard. do you feel inclined for it,
Mrs. Dudley"
HIM! not very. Miss Herbert is cat
amount L begin TO think"
Valerie laughed.
Lets so on and commence the ascent"
she said to Lord Westbrook.
'All right" said he, eagerly.
But as Valerie started forward, Beaure-
CARDS voice stopped her.
Valerie, you mustn't try that ascent till
( am there"
''Why not?'' she asked, not exactly de.
DAINTY, but just little rebelliously.
Because there is good deal of danger
if you don't go the right way, and it is
ticklish climbing when you do" he an
swered. quietly.
81 will take good care of her." said Lord
Westbrook, somewhat piqued by this au-
thoritative interference.
81 don't doubt that, my dear fellow" said
the other, smiling. but as you don't know
the place any better than Valerie does, you
might both come down together. Go
ahead if you choose" he added to Valerie;
''only pfomise me you won't attempt the
climb"
Every well,'' said she, carelessly. 'Come,
Westbrook," and as they started off to-
gether half running, she added inpatient
ly, 81 can't keep on at this pacel How
Mrs Dudley does dawdle. Colonel Beau
regard must be mad that he has to walk
II.