Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-01-13
Reallrprard DaJlSed

like stars in the gloom, to her companions
face-wistful, mischievous eyes, that said
in that look, Ought I? 1t would be so
nicer'
And Captain Beauregard smiled, and
turned his horses head into the two miles
road.
But even that road came to an end at
last, and, with mental sigh, man and girl
saw the church-spire of Wexford looming
up against the night sky; and Valerie point
ed out the way to the Lines.
"You will come in and see uncle VIII,
won't you, Captain Beauregards" she said.
"He will be up still. We are not very early
people"
81 should have great pleasure in doing
so, but | am afraid to leave this fellow
Faust. He would be off like a shot on very
small provocation. So | must ask you to
make my excuses. 1 hope you will allow
me to call in day or two?'
He pulled up before the wicket-gate as
he spoke.
"Oh! yes; please call, !" said Valerie earn
estly. And thank you very much for
bringing me home. 1t was 4 delightful
driver
He had lifted her to the ground, and
barred his head now as he took her hand in
his.
"Was its" he said 81 am so glad to hear
you say that, for know | never enjoyed
drive so much; and you did me great
honor in allowing me to escort you
Valerie had no idea of accepting this
speech as serious truth. Captain Beaure-
gard must have enjoyed many drives much
more, and was not likely to esteem it IAN
honor to escort home girl who must APP
pear 10 him scarcely more than an unSo-
phisticated child. Soshe smiled and s-ook
her head, as deprecating the compliments;
but was too courteous and too grateful to
him to even imply that he was only play
ing off his society speeches on country
girl.
What pretty things you say, Captain
Beauregardr' she said. Goodnight"
as not truth always pretty-or more
beautiful / am sure | have only spoken
to you unvarnished truth. Goodnight"
He bent and touched his lips TO her hand
before he released it, and watched her fit
ting up the garden path-watched till he
heard the house-door open, and hearty
"I4or' bless US, missy, here you are at last"
was borne toward him on the summer air;
back to bennington at about five times
the pace he had driven on the outward
journey.
Molly followed her young mistress into
the dining room, where the latter was
little startled to see, not only her uncle, but
Louis Charters.
He caught her hands in his, and gazed
at her as if she had at that minute been
rescued from death.
"Valerie" he exclaimed. valerie"
why, Louisn' she said, laughingly, 81
am all right-haven't been struck by light
ming or anything" and she drew her hands
away and turned to her uncle. who EN-
braced her more warmly than was his wont
"And how did you come homer he said.
"Who brought you2'
Captain Beauregard drove me in his
dogcart; he wouldn't come in because he
couldn't leave the horse but he's going to
call"
who's Captain Beauregarl?'' asked
Louis, with a quick frown.
"He is Captain in tn -th you know,
Louis. Such handsome fellow-and you
can't think how nice he is. I'll tell you all
about my adventures You stop, Molly,
and hear"
She threw off her hat quit spoiled by
the RAIN. and, sitting down ut her uncle's
feet, told her story from the begnning-a
story which failed to please Louis Char
tcris; but Mr.. Herbert said the Fanshawcs
had indeed been most kind, and he was
glad Mrs Fanshawe was going to call, that
he might thank her himself.
"And wasn't Captain Beauregard good
to mc?" said Valerie, earnestly. ut was
he who sent the orderly-his own man
didn't you know thatY'
"'The message came rs from Mrs. Fan
Shave, my dear, which was delicate
thoughtfulncss on Captain Beauregard's
part He must be Beauregard of AbbOtS
Lcigh-One of the few remaining Norman
families. Hand me that Country Gentry
Charters; it is ten years old, but it will
serve my purpose"
Louis handed down the volume; and Va
lcric raised herself on her knees, and, turn
ing to the name "Beauregard," read out
the particulars:
Yes. there they were; Beauregard- first
of the name had had conferred upon him
the manor of Leigh, shire, A. ID. 1926
and coming down to recent times, Gerald
Walter Beauregard married Agnes. third
issue Gerald Walter (present owner of
Abbot's Leigh, and Max EustaCe, the dates
of birth showing eight years between the
brothers.
Il remember" said Uncle VIII, closing
the book, that Gerald Beauregard mar
ried, about three years ago, Lady ElinOr
Musgrove; so this brother has no chance of
inhcriting one of the finest estates in the
country
Its just rs we'll; perhaps he'd give ur
the army, and that would be n shamen'
exclaimed Valerie. And oh, Louis, | am
going to a military ball, after all. They
wouldn't take no, uncle Will; and Mrs
Fanshawe will send for me-"
We'll. we'll hear all about it to-mor
row" said Mr. Herbert. Now we must
go to bed
Louis was to stay the night.
So good-nights were said, and the GUAR
tctte separated, Valerie somewhat pcrplex
ed by Louis lack of sympathy,
She had thought he would be so glad &c
hear she had enjoyed herself-she would
bc glad If the cases were reversed-but, in.
stead, he was quite sullcn, and hardly said
Il word. That wasn't like Louis
Poor child! ii showed how ignorantly she
had pledged her future-that she so little
understood the real nature of love as to
marvel ut and be gricved by Louis want
OF "sympathy' in her days adventures,
and prospects of future enjoyment He
would he n rarely constituted lover who
could find il pleasant for his lady-loye &c
be taken out of his own hands, rs it were
by n handsome attractive man like Max
Beauregar,l, driving through the lanes
with him. and evidently very happy in his
company. But there was no jealousy in
Nalcric's love, which proved it was no more
than sistcrly.
Louis wished the whole lot" at Don
nington would be ordered off somewhere
within week; and was firmly convinced
that all the officers, and Captain Beaure
gard in particular, were flirts, and Valeri,
would get no good by going to their balls,
and being fused over, and made much of.
CHAPTER VIA CALL-wELCOME AND IN
WELCOME.
Two days later Mrs. Fanshawe called at
the Lines. and received Mr.. Herbert's
thanks for her kindness to Valerie.
"Oh! please don't speak of thanks" she
said, but hope your niece won't be dis
appointed Of the ball. for there are rumors
OF war in Egypt, and of our regiment being
ordered out But perhaps it won't be till
after the tn"
1t would have been glad hearing for
Louis, had he been present, that the OBJ
noNtous garrison we're likely to leave Don
ningtou shortly; but he was not at the
Lines that day IIn rnD,a bpuavnr ",