Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-26

senseleSS girl n his arnls-Seen the kisses
he pressed on tie white broW-she would
have resigned all hope Of winning the
handsome soldier, whom, while he was yet
a younger son, she had given to understand
he had only to ask TO receive. Liiias Dud-
ley was in many respects a very worldly
woman: but all that was best in her was
given to Max BeaUregard, and if she could
not have faced poverty with him, she would
be more than content to endow him with
her wealth. She was rich enough, she had
sometimes said. to consult her heart this
time. RUmor had it that her first marriage
had been for money.
AS it was, though still cherishing some
hope-widows do not readily give up their
quarry-AIrs. Dudley felt decidedly uneasy
and began to fear that NaIerie's wonder.
full beauty was beguiling Colonel Beaure-
gard into forgetting that the girl was a
f1irt and a mercenary jiIt, who had thrown
over q poor lover for millionaire: and the
millionaire, in his turn, for a landlord; and
yet (Airs. Dudley was obliged to admit Va
lerie took no pains to win her hosts a1fec-
ton.
Ere lon the carriage was seen approach
ing, and in a few minutes it drew up, and
Lord Westbrook sprang out, and hurried
up to the group on the hillside.
II have been as quick as could,'' he said.
''How are you now, Miss Herbert?''
''In some pain, but not much" she said,
smiling. ''Thank you again for all you
have done; and hurrying through the heat,
toy
Never mind that; you know I don't
want any thanks. I have done nothing"
4 don't agree with yoU, yoa see," said
Valerie. smiling
"A willfu' woman maun haze her way,
WestbroOk," said Beauregard, as he stoop-
ed to lift Valerie into the carriage.
Valerie thought OF Zoe and the chess
game and it was in her heart that a will
full man sometimes gained the victory
over a Willful woman; but she held her
peace.
Colonel Beauregard was placing her on
the back seat of the carriage, but she beg
ged him to put her the other side.
cit won't matter to me" she said, '"and
Mrs. Dudley must not sit backing the
horses"
But Lilias protested that she could do so,
and Valerie ought 20 have the place where
she could least feel the jolting; SO Max set
tied his charge comfortably, and put q
shawl over her fee5 and a light wrap round
her shoulders. Then he handed in Mrs.
Dudley, told Westbrook to sit beside her,
and himself mounted the box beside the
coachman, telling the latter not to drive
fast; and SO at length Abbot's Leigh was
reached, and Colonel Beauregard carried
Valerie straight uD to her dressing-room,
accompanied by Lady Elinor, who asked
anXiously if it was necessary to send for a
surgeon; but Max laughed at this idea.
''She need only keepit bound up for q few
days" he said. land have linen soaked in
vinegar round it, and it viii soon be well.
But [ hope" he added, as he placed the
Girl on a sofa, chat you will join US in the
drawing-room."
Hadn't I better stay up here,o she said,
'tfor this evening"
You viii do as you PREFER" observed
Lady Elinor, interposing; ''but if you like
come into the draWing-room later, couldn't
you?"
Yes" said Valerie, @4that would be bet
ter; and between the banisteTS and Fanchon
can get down beautifully"
Max smiled
''But you must be careful" he said. 81
am your doctor, you know, and I cannot
have any risks run. I will see after you"
mo, please, you have done enough al
ready" said the girl, quickly.
Let me be the judge of that" said he,
lightly; ''Gt TeUOiT',' and he went out.
Angela came running up almost immed-
lately with Amy LinWood, and commiSer-
ated Valerie on her accident, and Amy in
sisted on having her tea in the dressing
room. But Valerie shook her head, laugh
ing.
"There's metal more attractive below
she whispered, drawing Amy down to her.
The others face flushed.
Don't, Valerier' she said. 81 am com
ing up here to be with you
And she had her way; Valerie, however,
made her go down to dinner.
Il don't want to quarrel with Hal Dai
las" she said; SO at last the petted beauty
was elone-pressing her hand over her
heart-repeating over and over words that
might have meant so little, and yet had
meant so much: mo, my precious bur
den!'' Was she indeed precious TO him?
Once more came the question that thrilled
through her like wondrous music: "Does
Max Beauregard love me?"
CHAPTER XLlll.-AN ENCLOSURE tOR VA
LERIE.
"MademoiseIle, Colonel BeaUregard
wishes to know if it will please you to GO
down to the drawing4oom?" said Fanchon,
who had gone to the dressing-room door in
answer to a knock.
ask Colonel Beauregard to come in,
Fanchon," said Valerie, quietly, though
her heart was beating fast; and as Fanchon
opened the door and admitted the Colonel,
Valerie looked up, half laughing, half dep
recating, in his face.
II meant to have given you the Slip" she
said. Indeed, you need not have trou-
bied yourself; though it is very kind of you
to come"
81 said 1 would look after you, Fairy
Queen, and you would be clever to steal a
march on an old campaigner."
But can walk, Colonel Beauregard-
much better with you than with Fanchon,
since you are so much stronger"
''Well, you shall try"
He raised her up, and, slowly, leaning
on his arm, she succeeded in reaching the
corridor.
''You see," she said, smiling, "my sprain-
ed foot hardly touches the floor"
''Yet even that little hurts you," said her
cavalier, gently, though you try to hide it
from me-"
''But little pain doesn't matter, Colonel
Beauregard."
''It does to me, very much, O." he answered:
"Come, Fairy. let me carry you to the
drawing-room door; will put you down
there"
He suited the action to the words, taking
her up in his arms as he spoke, Valerie
yielding without further remonstrance, as
was best; besides, she knew it made him
suffer to see her endure pain.
Thank you so much" she said, grata-
fully, as he gently placed her on the ground
outside the drawing-roOm door,