Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-01-20
VAIEIRIE-
HALF p TRUTH.
"BY THE DUCHESS"

The day OF the pail came: ana as yet,
though war had broken out two days ago
in the East, and all the talk in the regi-
ment at bennington was of war, no orders
had arrived from headquarters.
Mrs. Fanshawe's carriage called in good
time for Valerie, and when she presented
herself to say goodbye to her uncle, even
that undemonstrative person told her she
Cooked lovely" while Molly went into
raptures. Yet probably Valerie's would
be the simplest gown IN the town hall that
night. II was of cream cashmere, made
after the fashion of Marguerite's, IN
"Faust," with a rich girdle of Indian
workmanship, that had belonged to Va
lerie's mother Jewels the girl had none,
and did not need them. Had she not her
glorious youth, her picture-like beauty, and
the wealth of her glittering tresses?
Louis had sent her a lovely bouquet, and
Valerie drove off in high spirits, with all
manner Of dazzling visions floating before
her Young eyes If she could have looked
only few short months into the future
But for the young there is only the neal
horizon.
When she reached General Fanshawes
bouso she was conducted straight up to her
hostess dressing room, where the Generals
wife was under the hands OF her maid.
garments, jewels, and the various para
pherualia of a lady's wardrobe Uttered all
about.
How do you do, my dear?" said Mrs.
Fanshawe, taking Valerie's hands. and
kissing her warmly. Now, off with your
mantle and let's look at you. Stand of
that's rightp'
The mantle was dropped, and Mrs. Fan
Shave uttered an exclamation under her
breath.
"Heavensl what beautyr' Then, after
pause of gratihed survey: My dear, you're
simply perfect Was it your own taste to
have the gown made in that stylei"
eyes, Mrs. Fanshawe"
'"Ihcn you are an artist! Simply per-
fectl Now, sit down and have some tea
it ison n little table yonder. OH you have
howcrsY
Yes" returned Valerie, smiling, though
little surprised at the remark.
She sat down and drank some tea, but
did not touch the cake or biscuits provided
also; she was too excited to eat.
"Whcn yOu have finished" said Mrs.
Fanshawc, while her maid laced the bodice
Of her rich blue satin gown, come and
"Pcl lH!a ooA on inc uieS9IHS I"p-'' l
must ueil'er my message, however you "e-
eide"
valerie glanced NJ inc box wondering
very 'lnch "hat II might contain; ana
pi'Scn'l| 7ho rose anu advanced h''le
'ii,,''iS' !" INC .'''lc,
u was C"rdpoar" DoA Sle was told 10
Open ana the Rlrl removed string ana pa
per WIN changing coior, puI no suspicion
l..
OF Wh"C tue cover might cohceai.
iicr young lace was " study as Sho nan
leaIiuiiy removed the cover ana the Issue
paper "olo"' ana her staI'leu eyes "encl"'
III II pea OF cotloh-Wooi, mo lo'ellcst pou-
I"eI OF wNiie mowers ana ihaideil-laIr fern
ihhI BlIl heart coalu desire.
ono cia'Prh hcr hahds, ana turned glow
ing questioning eyes on MIS-. fah9haWe.
on doht thank meI' sad the lady,
imagining ana shaking her head. am
only delegate. Take it up and see If you
like it,"
Tho girl obeyed slowly, the soft color
deepening on her check as she bent over
the exquisite flowers. drinking in with their
delicate perfume yet more subtle essence
for scent OF rose and stephanotis does not
quicken heart-beats
II ike II y She repeated III low voice,
'Oh, what coulbb be moro loyely!
sweets TO the sweet, SAID MIS- Fan
shh"e' smlilhE' captain 'eaurcgard
a9hc,' me 10 give you inc p"'lql!et-li you
WIZ n"h"i Nun ny accepting IL.
valerie = heart EaVo sudden throo, as
though she had known the giVer when
Mrs. L anShh"e dehled personal RESPONSE
"'n,J' ii"I il'S duiEeleu,
ohr no" hihu Oh mimi she san. bu6
there was pun as wen rs Gladhess III her
eyes III her voice. ono paused, perpieNed.
nav ~ mo hlaoIeI' asked inc zen
"'"l WIG ~ inc o'her bouquet Bil''
'""L
rs s'''" Ftt'vIlt' E'"hClhB at LOUIS
""u'I.1' p''"'ii"'' p"V ~" '""iP i""ie
WI" MAN i'e'''li eS'''u y hc' II WIS ho1
Tor inns reason her eyes came hck visit
i"iiS I" INC mowers sue neid' Ahu-aiu
uoh Nno" "ii''' ouHho I" 40
l''1'''ni i" 'l''N, i'"' - SV,t p,t''t "
'1''9 '"o "'"f"IT ?'', '"l'r'i'r
i'''"'rH"'" r"""',' "o 'i.'i'"'''' ''',' l
kh"" no """iu't r'' "' i"i 'oo """ic-
h'"''',' '',tl ','l 'Ii''' -" i''''7' ''aNo
your 'h,''oo lt''IS' my '',i"'
bul N"uIu llho 10 ""ho ihcSc' S"lu
valerie sun perPieAeu. captain lS'aure
EarH mus peer" 80 H"ou 20 me ollS ~ 10
my on P''S ','.''e VINO s"'o iie 'n' "'",.
bouquet ana he mlEht he offended Il
AHlS, lor LOUIS! II valerie hau oeeh
really III love with MN she could hardly
hesitate between his gift and that OF II
comparative stranger!
Il should think sad Mrs. FanShawe,
that an old friend would not mind being
set aside in such a case, understanding how
you might feel about it, stu, captain
heaur'Eard would understand why you
d'c"hrd MS Offering II you prefer that OF
your "Id playmate. Non kh"" tho latter
n''', ana can answer Tor my iaYori'e.
haII sWlla Httted over the girls mouth.
cue l-aS' make mo ch"lce' theh' herSell:
Sne walked SLOWLY across the room, ana
t"'N ma" pehl'eht t"uch on the holder OF
LOUIS bouquet. Would he nina very
much' lie would surely understand that
she ""ula like to accept n courtesy from
ono wa" had been So kind To her; Captain
hra"reGard might be-not VeXed, but
PANIED If She did not carry his flowers.
ta''ri' was perfectly honest in employing
lL's argument, aud this argument only;
Sho was n seltdeceivcr-but an uncon-
srtouS one.
frs' sue W"uh carry Captain Beaure-
gard : bouquet. and explain to Louis-hc
would not bc angry. Yet her eyes filled
With tears, and her throat swelled; II seem
ed unktnd, ungratetul TO Louis, but she
had made her decision; she must not vacil-
late any more.
Perhaps Valerie did wrong; but she WAS
GtTAngr =