San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-01-04

Colonel Beauregard was alone on the
terrace lounging against the balustrade,
smoking a cigarette, when Valerie appear
ed. attired in a dress of fine serge cream.
cOlOred, with open red collar, red sash,
and jaunty little crimson cap on her head.
Max flung away the cigarette, and sur.
veyed the lovely picture before him, with
a half-unconscious smile in his dark eyes.
You are a good soldier, Valerie" he
said, always quick and punctual." Then,
after seconds pause, You had on a
gown made like that the first time l saw
You"
Valerie, pulling on her long gloves, start
ed and colored, her heart leaping up with
wild bound. He had never before spoken
of that day; and his doing so now almost
startled her out Of her self-possession-
not quite-she turned aside with a half
laugh:
so had! Fancy remembering thatr'
~ have good memory" he said, little
dryly ~ remember great many things
besides THAR
Very likely" with shrug 81, for my
part, often find that one month chases an.
other out of ones headI"
''Often!-not always-a wise distinction.
So convenient! | wish could"
"Exactlyr' returned Valerie, coolly, as
if he had spoken in good faith and not sar
castically; and as she spoke she plucked q
rosebud for her dress, turning her back to
him to do this 81 WISH" she added, di.
rectly, 1.-THE others would come. What q
time they arer'
Lord Westbrook appeared at that mo-
ment, and Mrs. Dudley few minutes later,
and they started for the walk-Valer1e
with her young heart in tumult Of pas
slonate emotion, and resolving to show
Max Beauregard that, among the things
convenient" to forget, he himself held
foremost place. To which end she kept by
Lord Westbrook's side, and whenever the
path obliged separation into couples, al
lowed Colonel Beauregard to lead with
Mrs. Dudley, or fall behind; as the case
might be, and Beauregard made no attempt
to interfere with this arrangement; wheth-
er he acquiesced in it, or intended it to last
throughout the walk, was another matter.
They crossed the park, struck through a
stretch Of woodland beyond, and gained
bit Of open moorland. Here Mrs. Dudley
elevated her scarlet umbrella; but Valerie
gloves, which she had long ago pulled off
and consigned to Westbrook for safe Gus
tody.
"Ohl 1t Is hot" cried the widow.
at is deliciousl' said Valerie. "And
we shall soon be in the woods again."
pointing ahead to the hill clothed with
thick foliage
The girl was almost dancing alorg now.
Beauregard watched her, but turned to
Mrs Dudley.
at is a steep path for some little way"
he said, "and then a regular climb-that
is, if you care to get to the top. Once there,
you have magnificent viewI"
81 shall go to the top" declared Valerie,
promptly.
"And l will go where you do" said Lord
Westbrook, lowering his voice.
THAT is if will let your replied Beau
ty, nonchalantly. And perhaps you can't
climb"
'Try mew returned the young man.
at will be a good test" said Colonel
Beauregard. "Do you feel inclined for it,
Mrs. Dudley"
"Hml not very. Miss Herbert is cat
amount l begin to think"
Valerie laughed.
Lets go on and commence the ascent"
she said to Lord Westbrook.
"All right" said he, eagerly.
But, as Valerie started forward, Beaure-
CARDS voice stopped her
valerie, you mustn't try that ascent till
am there"
"Why not!" she asked, not exactly de-
family, but just little rebelliOusly.
Because there is good deal of danger
If you don't go the right way, and it is
ticklish climbing when you do" he an
swered, quietly.
~ will take good care of her." said Lord
Westbrook, somewhat piqued by this au-
thoritative interference.
81 don't doubt that, my dear fellow" said
the other, smiling, but as you don't know
the place any better than Valerie does, you
might both come down together. Go
ahead if you choose" he added to Valerie;
'only promise me you won't attempt the
climb"
Every well, " said she, carelessly. "Come,
Westbrook," and as they started off to-
gether half running, she added inpatient
ly, II can't keep on at this pace! How
Mrs. Dudley does dawdle! Colonel Beau
regard must be mad that he has to walk
so slowlyr'
Perhaps he doesn't mind" said Lord
Westbrook. 81 shouldn't care how slowly
walk by your side"
Don't talk nonsense!" said the girl, col
oring slightly. 81 am sure | should get
tired of walking slowly with you, or any
one"
This last was not exactly true.
Don't say thatp said the young man,
trying to check his companions rapid pace.
You don't mean it, do your
81 do. Look here" said the girl reso-
lutely, and stacking little, "if you are GO
ing to be absurd l shall drop back to the
Others"
"Absurdr' exclaimed the young man, a
good deal disconnected. "Youar not very
merciful."
There isn't much need for mercy that !
can see," returned Valerie, quickening her
pace little "Now, don't look doleful OF
you'll spoil all the pleasure of the walk for
both of us. Do be a sensible fellow for once
in wayl"
II declare" cried Lord Westbrook, half
laughing, half vexed, you do treat hearts
like playthings"
"Heartsi" Valerie laughed a ringing,
reckless laugh. "Who talked Of hearts,
You don't mean to tell me that yours is
involved If so, it is about the seventh
time"
mo, mol l vow and protest."
"And | VOW and protest." said Valerie,
pausing at the stile that separated the
moorland from the hill-path, and facing
round on her companion with hooking
laughter in her gray eyes, looking lovely
enough to turn the heads of a dozen st.