Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-15


Indeed. And how many times did you
dance WITH her? C0me-coafess,"
81 am not IN a moo for testing, Lady
Elinor," said Lawford little gruffiy.
''What!'' she said, startled. You don't
mean that"
THAT Miss Herbert has refused me-nol
haven't asked her yet; but l shall do so,
and speedily Her aunt breaches patience;
but mine is tired out. She has had tether
enough to 1firt with all the world, and
bring men to her feet only to spurn themr'
Take care!" said Lady Elinor, warning
"; ''she may deal the same with you, think
| ing to beckon you back at her will"
s'She is too wise for that" said Lawford,
with the consciousness of possessing over
wheIming advantages, land she would
hardly dream Of flying directly in Mrs.
Langley's face, with the alternative OF be-
ing sent back to the country"
''Not," ne added, quickly, for he knew
how Colonel Beauregard would look upon
anything like coercion in such a case, and
dreaded some sarcasm; mot that I would
| accept, on any terms, an unwilling bride;
but then l know she is not unwilling-she
is simply trying to stretch her power to its
utmost limits; and no man will be played
with too IOngI'
rs she not going with your party to
Heniey?" asked Lady Elinor, after pause,
gliding off, automatically, from the main
question.
''She has given no definite answer yet,
though I know she has over a dozen inyi
tatiOns."
Dear, dear! she plays the coquette to
the top of her bent But l don't think
there's much to fear: in fact, You know -
said Lady Elinor, decidedly, ''she could
hardly draw back now-it is too late; every
| one talks of the affair as settled Heraunt
| says right and left that it is. She can't for
| a moment mean to throw you over finally;
even if, out Of sheer coquetry, she does so
at first. But then, certainly, Mrs. Langley
would interfere"
Il shall make her understand" said As
ton LawfOrd, with Il heavy frown, chat I
| don't intend to be thrown off, and beckon-
ed back at WILL
This was more than Max Beauregard
| could stand. He rose and walked across
the room, and sat down, taking up q book
MAX thinks he is dc trOp," said Lady
Elinor, in a low voice, and with smile.
But pray don't let me drive him away,
Lady Elinor!'
ooh, never mindl The tea will be up
directly. But, if may be permitted to OF
| fer advice, Ntr. LaWford, deal gently with
| Valerie; she mas a very strong viii, and has
| been so petted and spoiled, that I really
| don't think she realizes there is point be
! yond which even q beauty may not go?'
81 am too fond of her." said he, ito be
otherwise than gentle: but an nc boy to
be girls sport-tO be encouraged one
minute, and snubbed the neXt!'
why, no! you are quite right there.
Shall you see her before Henley"
Il shall write to her, Lady Elinor."
"Ah! the best way, perhaps, under the
circumstances. Here comes the tear' said
| Lady EEnOr, relieved in more ways than
one. MAX, come herew
Colonel Beauregard dropped his book
! and came forward, and conversation then
turned from Valerie.
| By-and-by LawfOrd took his leave.
Il hope soon, he said as he shook hands
with Lady Elinor, ''to have to ask you for
| your congratulations
81 hope So" said she. Remember me
! to your sister,"
The door closed on Valerie's sutton, and
| Lady Elinor subsidized into her chair.
| Poor, dear manr' she said. But really,
| Valerie treats him badly"
He's an insufferable cadr' said Colonel
Beauregard, shortly. Forgive me, Nellier'
Certainly. 1t came out with all your
| heart, Max. You never liked Lawford, ]
! know, but he is not cad''
bah! A man may have better blood
| than he has, and be a cad to the core of his
| soul Heaven help the woman who mar
ries him for his millions! She will be
mated to a clown indeedt"
'Ah, Max" said Lady EliRor, with a
| genuine ring of pathos in her voice, ''there
are not many men like you. You have q
| standard too high for ordinary people to
! come up to. Most of US are made of poor
clay after all, and worship the golden calf "
"A beggarly worship, Nellie; but know
| am Notwithstanding to the great un-
written canon. I am content to be right
! by the written one. Goodbye for -
| present, dear. promised to meet Dallas
and some other fellows at the Rag this
avenin"
He kia.eI her gently and went out.
CHAPTER XXIx.-Tw0 LETTERS AND A TELE
GRAM
| 1t is not an easy thing to write an offel
Of marriage; at any rate Aston LawforG
! did not find it so. And then he had, III adj
| dition, the task of making Valerie Herbert
understand clearly, without expressing
harshly, that the Offer would not be re
newed if she should think cit to play the