Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-02-17
CHAPTER MIA FATAL DIE.

"Therc she is-there's Valerie Herbert!'
flew from mouth to mouth, as Mrs. Lang
ley and her niece entered Lady Stonend's
already crowded salon in Park Lane; and
the weil-bred throng pressed eagerly to-
ward the door.
The hostess welcomed them with en-
presSment.
And only thnkr' she said-she was of
the gushing, gurgling order-"we are to
have an Egyptian hero here tonight! Did
you know? Colonel Beauregard is coming
with his brother and sister-in-law; such
charming man, isn't he? Have you ever
met him, Miss HERBERT"
"Oh, yes" SAID she, smiling 81 met
him at garrison ball at bennington"
Indeed! Then I need not introduce
him to you. l do hope they won't be late"
Valerie was surrounded at once; her card
was almost filed before Aston Lawford,
struggling through the crowd succeeded
in reaching her side.
Miss HERBERT he said, his plain face
lighting upwith joy as he clasped her hand,
You have kept some for me? Ihave been
trying the last five minutes to get near
you"
Kept Somep' repeated Valerie, lifting
her straight brows. She paused, and look
ed down at her tablets; soft color stole
into her cheeks, her breast heaved. Alas!
how much hung on that pausel If she had
but given Lawford the answer that quiv-
cred on her uonguel but suddenly her lips
were compressed, she raised her eyes with
curious flash to Lawford's face.
81 have only two dances left" she said
drily. you can have thosep
He must be infatuated indeed who could
accept gratefully favor so ungraciously
granted; yet Aston Lawford spoke earnest
thanks. and even ventured the reproach:
''Only two? You are cruel!''
IF l were too kind TO you 1 should be
cruel to others,' replied Valerie, careless
ly, and turned away, half dizzy with the
pain at her heart.
Not one dance for Max Beauregard-the
man she loved! who had a right to ask of
her at least so much as a kindly memory
of him; and man whom any woman in
that room would feel proud to honor. But
she dared not trust herself; blindly, desper
ately, she took fatal refuge in conduct that
miserably wronged her.
''Thep are forming for the first set, said
voice near her.
She looked up. 1t was her partner-the
| Marquis of Darnleigh.
| her hand on her companions arm.
Mr.. and Lady Elinor Beauregard-
Colonel Beauregard,' rang out from the
| doorway
There was 4 ffutter-a loud buzz of voices
"a forward rush and rustic
Valerie paused, holding her breath
For minute everything seemed to swim
| round her, yet she did not stagger or cling
to her companion, and he did not see-for
| her heal was drooping-how deadly white
| she had grown
Then she looked up, and said, with 3
| smile:
81 must go and speak to Colonel Beaure-
gard. have met him before, you know. !"
Even as she spoke and moved-still
| leaning on Lord Darnleigh's arm-toward
| the entrance. Max Beauregard, scarce
| twenty PAGES from her, turned and saw
| her-the Fairy Queen; and all else besides
| people and scene, vanished and left her
standing there alone, queen lily and rose
| In one, y in the glory of her loneliness, with
| CLEAN of satin and silver, and fire of fash
| ing jewels Yet he had never had every
nerve under more perfect command as he
went forward to meet her, and hand clasp
| ed hand
| Ii was supreme moment for both. yet
| ootn were calm ana Seli-poSSesSed- II the
clasp of Max Beauregard's hand seemed
TO the girl to stop the very beating of her
heart, she gave no sign; if her touch made
| every nerve in the mans frame culver,
every pulse bound, neither voice nor man
| ner betrayed him.
Il am so glad to see you again." he said
genuine pleasure. but no more. in the soft,
| rich voice. that was always ringing in her
ears. Il left you scarcely on the threshold
| OF Fame, and come back to find you in
| the citadel"
Oh, Colonel Beauregard.n Valerie an
swered. glancing up. with the old, quick.
| wistful look. into the handsome face-she
had not dared to meet his eyes full-"such