Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-22
v AIEi Rid
OR
HALF p TRUTH.
"BY THE DUCHESS"

any degree would be to do her injustice
and she might have felt it more keenly but
for the serious worldly issues following
upon the death Of General Beauregard: but
Constance Langley was, before all things.
worldly, and-in her way-ambitious.
Even in the first shock of the intelligence
the facts that Max Beauregard was now
owner of the broad lands of Abbot's Leigh,
and that Valerie had received an offer
from Aston Lawford, were present to her
mind. Indeed. when that day she had
heard that Gerald was dangerously i'll, the
thought at once came: eff he should die,
then Max will be a leading man in the
world" And all the way home her busy
brain was revolving possibilities for Va
lerie's future. Beauregard, Lord of Alb
bots Leigh, would be match with which
Aston Lawford, ironmaster, could not
compare. The Beauregards had great
estates in their own county and elsewhere,
and all the prestige Of ancient and Illus.
trious family; and Colonel Beauregard had
personal charms of high ORDER and per.
sonal fame. What d future lay before Va
lerie if only
And 10! possibility had become more than
probability!
at her niece.
''It is very ShOCking-very dreadfulr' she
said, slowly. Poor Elinor! and she has
no sonr' She removed her bonnet and
mantle, and began to take off her gloves.
"And Max" she added--''he will feel it.
although the brothers were not much to.
gether, and had few tastes in common.
Still they were always the best of friends"
Il l,y-o oil +a1,I
and bowed her face in her hands, choking
with sobs which she tried to keep back.
All, how bitterly Max would suffer! He
would have no thought of the vast change
in worldly fortune this death made to him
Mrs. Langley did not speak. She waited
until the girl had recovered herself some.
what, and then she said, gently:
valerie dear, when you can attend to
me I want to speak to you.''
The girl lifted her head and stretched
out her hands with a passionate gesture.
"Oh, auntie," she cried, you must not
be angry with me tonight / could not
bear itt''
'tYou ire too sensitive, child. How do
you know am going to be angry?"
You will be-you must be-but speak to
me Tomorrow"
II promise that will not scold you for
anything tonight, Valerie. But answer
my question. What did you say to Aston
Lawford?
II told him. said the girl, resolutely,
chat could not be his wife"-Mrs. Lang
ley started, and drew quick breath of re-
lief-"because did not love him. Valerie
went on fully believing that she was piling
up for herself terrible wrath for the NOR
row. 'FOh, aunt Constance, know have
been wrong, but / did not think he really
cared for me. | begged him to forgive me,
but | could not marry him. I would die
sooner1 People will call me false-a jilt-
then they must. know [ told you that
l loved the world, and couldn't marry
Louis because he was pOor;' it was the old
terror OF being charged with another love
that made her say this-"but didn't know
what itwould be to marry Aston Lawford."
Mrs. Langley, sitting in an armchair Op-
posite, leaned her elbow on the arm, shad-
ing her face with her hand; and even when
Valerie ceased speaking, the listener did
not move.
The girl rose and stood before her aunt.
clasping her little hands together, and
though she spoke falteringly, there was
not line of irresolutiOn in her face. Fra
gile STRIPPING though she was, her will was
set like a wise; and the man or woman who
hoped to make her yield her ground would
have been blind indeed.
'+Aunt Constance" she said, 81 know
you will think me ungrateful, and you
thought it would be a great thing for me
to be Aston LawfOrd's wife; but [ cannot
obey YOU in this-whateyerh happens. / can
go back again to the country-to uncle
Wills"
And marry Louis Charteris?" asked
Mrs. Langley, quietly, without looking up.
Valerie's lips opened for a quick mo, no
not thatt' But in the instant she check
ed herself, for the thought flashed through
her brain like lightning: ''She thinks
love him. If she discovers I do not, she
will say, You love someone else?'"
She was silent
Then Mrs. Langley dropped her hand
and rose.
LET us say no more about it tonight,
Valerie" she laid. Tomorrow, perhaps,
or later, may speak to you. But of this
| can assure you'll shall notsend you back
into the country. Now, goodnight"
She kissed the girl affectionately, and
[alerie went up to her room with feeling
of hewilderment.
Ia
self. Mrs. Langley had promised not to
be angry with her tonight; but she did not
seem even much displeased, and she had
so set her heart on this marriage. ''Does
she imagine" Valerie thought. chat will
yield?"
But for time her brain felt dizzy and
confused, and she could not think distinct
ly. She was, however, terribly excited,
Fol+ hot .-yo IL
bility So when Fanchon left her, she
wrapped a dressing gown about her, and
sat down, leaning her throbbing temples
On her hands.
Her thoughts were growing clearer now.
more defined. In the quiet OF the night
they travelled to Abbots Leigh, and saw
the death-chamber with its tall tapers, and
he soldier stern and calm, in his silent
Eatch by the dead. Long time they dwelt
there, and then they came back to the ques.
ton that had perplexed her.
Had the shock of the terrible news from
Abbot's Leigh softened Constance Lang
ley's heart-for a time at least? But that
connection of ideas was the flash of revel-
alton The news from Abbot's Leigh
Gerald's death made Max owner of ALL
With the smothered cry of wounded
creature the girl fell on her knees, hiding
her face from the light in shame and an
guish.
Was this it?-that Aston Lawford was
to be cast aside for Max Beauregard?
The words. not understood at the time,
came back TO Valerie, and beat upon her
brain with pitiless clearness:
And Max Beauregard is lord of Abbot's
Leigh
Yes. even in that dread moment, Con-