San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-01-05

I'VE must not linger here too long" she
said, ''Or Mrs Dudley will be waiting for
us"
"Why such hurry" exclaimed Lord
Westbrook, reproachfully.
But the words only made Valerie quicken
her steps, walking hastily and hcedlessly
across the gnarlcd, spreading roots of a
giant beech, and suddenly her fnOt slipped;
with sharp cry of pain she re led. but be-
fore she could fall, Max Beauregard, not
many feet from her now, sprang forward,
and flung his arm around her.
Valerie, my child, are you hurtp'
But trying to answer him, deadly pal
Tor swept over her face, her head fell back
against him: for the first time In her life
she had tainted.
"Westbrook, said Beauregard quickly
and decidedly, "go down the hillside be-
hind us-it is an easy path-there is a
woodman's cottage at the foot-bring some
water. Don't look SO terrified, man! she
has sprained her foot, and tainted from the
pain. Go quicklyp'
Lord Westbrook Obeyed without word,
however much he might resent Valerie be-
ing in Colonel Beauregard's care instead
Of in his own.
anu -hdA was HlOIC
alone with Valerie Despite his suffering
for her pain, a passionate exultatiOn filed
his heart as he looked down at the white
face lying against him.
MY ownr' he whispered, "for these few
moments at least. Mine-mine!-held in
my arms-resting on my heart-my life
my darling-one kissw
But even as he stopped his lips to the
mute, unconscious lips that could give
neither consent nor denial, the flush of
shame swept over his cheek; senseless,
helpless, his darling was at his mercy, and
so doubly shielded by his honor: and honor,
even in the supreme moment of tempta-
ton, was stronger than passion.
He paused.
Heaven forgive mel" he muttered. 81
dare not! But this-this is no wrong!"
Not her mouth, but her white brow his
trembling lips pressed with one kiss?-nay,
again and again-with an anguish of love
in every kiss that must surely have pierced
to her Utmost being, and started the slum-
bering forces into vivid life; but there was
no change in the beautiful face, the heart
pressed so closely against his own gave no
answer to the passionate throbs that wooed
1t as tongue could never WOO.
Tenderly Max Beauregard lifted the girl
in his arms, and bore her to where the
ground was clothed with moss, there he
laid her down, and, kneeling beside her,
raised her head on his arm.
AS he did so he saw a faint color steal
into her cheek: he laid his free hand on her
heart; it beat more strongly. Tenderly he
put back the clustering curls from her fore
head, and there was quick contraction Of
her brow, a deepening color in her soft
cheek, that warned him, and he moved his
hand; she had felt the touch, and shrank
from it.
Did she-he asked the question of him
self with strange, thrill, half hope, half
dread, devine it, even in her half-con-
sciOus state, for his, or mistake it for some
other?
"Valerier' he said, very softly.
The girl stirred little and tried to move
her hand; then aquick spasm of pain passed
over her face, her lips parted with a half
moan; she opened her eyes-those wistful,
pathetic eyes-and looked straight up into
his, with clear and instant recognition.
Colonel Beauregardp' she said, family,
as one not asking question, but answer
ing her own thought She had, then, felt
and known his touch! But he looked and
spoke only with deepest tenderness and
loving sympathy.
You, slipped, and must have sprained
your ankle my child. Are you in much
pain?"
"Not-very-much Yes; l know now.
Oh, how foolish of me to faintr'
She had closed her eyes, with look of
pain that belied her words; but almost di-
rectly she opened them again, and tried to
raise herself from her companions arm.
He lifted her into sitting posture, but
still kept his arm lightly about her.
You must not try to stand yet, ;" he said.
"Poor child you do bear it bravely. |
have sent Westbrook to a cottage near for
some water; he will be here directly, Tell
me which foot 1t is. Valerief"
1.-THE left. OH am so sorry; it has
spoilt the walk! How stupid in me to
stumblev'
Don't make yourself unhappy about
what was no ones fault, dear child" said
Beauregard, kindly; what it cost him to
crush back all sign of the emotions that
burned within him, he only knew; the
question now is to relieve your pain and
get you home"
Il am giving so much troubled" Valerie
sighed heavily. But don't think | can
walk"
"a don't think 50, either; but it can be
managed Ali here is Westbrook!'
He came up, painting from his haste and
the heat, with large jug of water, and
glass. Valerie smiled up at him, and held
out her hand.
Don't look unhappy about me-" she
said; lit was only the sharp pain made me
faint. Thank you so much for all the
trouble you have taken for meH'
"There's no such thing as trouble for
YOU" said the young man, huskily. Are
you in pain?"
"a little-not much"
Her eyes were full of tears-not for the
pain. She took the glass of water from his
hand and drank eagerly; and WestDrOok
said to Beauregard
81 met Mrs. Dudley at the foot of the
hill; but / told her there was no need to
come up; there was nothing she could do"
Except make fuss-no, Now, West
brook, will you go back to the Leigh, and
bring an open carriage-a barouche is best
back to the foot of the hill, and leave me
your handkerchief; want it, as well as my
own, for bandages"
CHAPTER XLII.-A PRECIOUS BURDEN.
Valerie looked up at Colonel Beauregard,
who began at once tearing the handker-
chief he held into broad strips.
He answered her questioning look, smil-
ing.
''Your sprain must be bound up, Fairy
Oneen.n he said COR IL will swell .