Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
CHAPTER xxxL-FoR HIGHER QUARRY.

CHAPTER XXXL-FOR HIGHER QUARRY.
The sudden death of Gerald Beauregard
was, naturally, the theme of conversation
in West-end clubs and drawing-rooms the
following day; but he, personally, scarcely
left gap in society; he was not often in
London, and when he was it was only for
a short time, and he went out very little;
his tastes We're for the country, nor had he
the brilliant qualities which make a man
generally popular in London circles.
The event which so abruptly cut off Ger
aid from among the living was felt rather
in its relation to the well-known and fav-
orite younger brother than as loss
Already ambitious matrons and maidens
began to speculate on the chances of secur-
ing Colonel Beauregard, whose laurels
were now so richly gilded. AT the clubs,
and among army men generally, conven-
tlonal sigh for 'poor Gerald Beauregard"
was supplemented by more or less openly
expressed satisfaction that the family hon
ors had come to Beau"
''And suppose now" said Frank Trav
ers, in the morning-room of the Rag, Lady
Angela Musgrave will be brought forward
Lady Elinor was always afraid of Beau
but honOrs change other things as well as
mannerSr
And Mrs. Langley" added another Of
ficer, shell surely throw Lawford over
board, and enter Valerie Herbert for the
Beauregard stakes"'
Rather late in the day for that!' said
Travers, obviously, "and Beau's just the
man to be utterly disguised with such open
tactics.'
Still, I'd back a matchmaker like Mrs.
Langley for anything. Beau's far and
sway the best match Of the season now,
and the girl is not likely to object to the
change of owners The girls are all in love
with him as it is; and pretty Mrs. Dudley
almost made him an Offer of herself and
her ten thousand pounds a yearr'
"Likely enough! But who told your"
''Lots of fellows-nOt Beau, you may be
sure Well, what'u you bet OH the Lang
ley Uoltcfdcee'
HIN! | won't GO more than a soy.w
''Donel Shows you're rather doubtful,
old manI'
81 own it!''
Three days later the two men met again,
and the young officer who had offered the
bet held out his hand, laughing.
"Now then, old man." he said, "fork
outr'
'T suppose there's no doubt?n said Major
Travers, producing a sovereign.
Not the Ieast-it's in all the clubsn' re.
replied the other, as if this fact sufficiently
endorsed any statement, land l heard that
Miss Herbert refused Lawford either the
day or the day after the news Of Gerald
Beauregard's death reached London. Not
bad that, for q young campaignerE'
Its a regular jilt," said Travers; ''the
Lawford marriage was as good as settled.
But, by Jovei she's a glorious creature fol
such q fellow as Lawford! He'll cut up
rough about it; he's made fool OFF,
And it must be owned that Aston Law.
ford had some good ground for cutting 11p
rough" as Major Travers elegantly ex-
pressed it, though his first feeling was one
of utter ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS which fOl
some moments deprived him of all power
of speech.
He was still sitting in the drawing groom
with his sister-when Valerie's letter was
brought to him.
His cheek flushed, and his hand actually
shook, as he took the letter from tbesalver
'EFrom Valerie Herbert" he said, half
be stated had never approved Of the pro-
posed alliance. regarding Valerie as a
heartIess fiirt, and even darkly limiting that
so giddy wife would hardly be very trust
worthy.
He opened the letter, expecting, of course,
a grateful acceptance, and as he read he
went livid.
Refused! Impossiblel There must be
II Int
was no misleading that plain and straight
refusal.
He sat staring at the page, the palIor in
his face changing to a purple flush; while
his sister watched him in intense anxiety,
and at last broke out with:
aston, what in Heavens name is. the
matter?"
"Whatr' he said, starting to his feet,
crumpling the letter in his clenched hand,
and dashing it to the floor, valerie has
refused metz
Refused you?'
SAY, refused mel After all that has
passed-after leading me on-after the
whole world has pronouncedit and justly,
almost an engagement, this petted, pam
pered beauty of eighteen cooIly tells me
that she can't marry me, because, forsooth,
she doesn't love me! Ha, hap'-he threw
back his head with a harsh laugh-"and
begs me to forgive her for having trified
with me. But, by Heaven he went on,
beginning to pace the room, ''I'll bring hel
to her kneesi I warned her to trife nc
more: and in spite of that warning, she il
simply trying to coquette-to make me beg
and entreat! Refuse me! There isn't a
manageable girl in society who would not
thank Heaven for an offer from Aston
Lawfordp'
"Astonr' pleaded his sister.
docs that child imagine" he went on,
not needing her, chat am to be made q
butt of-jilted, as if l were trumpery lad,
fit to hold her gloves os fan, and dismissed
when he is done with? She must have
written that letter without her aunt's
knowledge. Yes, surely" he added, paus-
ing, and speaking little more calmly,
Mrs. Langley has been out all day. Va
lerie only had my letter in she afternoon,
and Mrs. Langley could scarcely nave
reached home before the servant who
brought this answer left. Why, them
he flung himself into a chair-''the matter
is soon settled. The girl, if she means re
husband [ don't believe she does-wiu
soon have to yield"
\ knock at the door, and a servant en-
tered
please, sir" said he, handing a letter,
"this has just come from Whitehall Gar
dens'
Lawford opened the letter quickly, and
read aloud:
''SIR:
Il have, with great grief, to inform you
that telegram arrived an hour ago from
Colonel Beauregard, to say that Mr. Beau
regard died at eight o'clock this evening.
Your obedient servant,
John WITTER"