Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-03-02

apparent ana not It's IcGi ht1uc
Mrs Langley did not repeat this brief
conversation to Valerie. There was nc
saving what-in her present mood-that
young lady might do 1.-THE world and all
that belongs to it,'i including the Iron
over in a gust of sentiment by the decided
ly incomprehensible young person.
Lawford had hardly left the house when
there came note from Lady Elinor Beau
regard.
''If you and Valerie are free this even
ing, will you come and dine with us? Pray
forgive such short notice. bat Gerald, who
had decided to leave town early next week,
has suddenly decided TO go tomorrow, as
he doesn't feel we'll"
The servant was waiting for an answer,
and Mrs. Langley accepted the invitation,
and then sent for Valerie, and told her.
Very well" was all the girl said, but
her heart beat fast. She had not seen
Colonel Beauregard since the ball. She
dreaded meeting him again.
But she had not much more than time to
dress, and then the carriage was announced
and few minutes later the two ladies were
ascending the broad stairs of the Beaure-
gard mansion in Whitehall Gardens.
one SNtlL BltlilNS d. NtAtS NAitSitN biAS
drawing-room assured Valerie that Colonel
Beauregard was not there. Perhaps he
was out for the evening. The girl felt half
relieved at the thought; and yet her heart
sank, too.
Lady Elinor came forward with ettusioD
to receive her guests:
"How good Of you TO Gomez she eXclaim-
ed. ''How lucky you were disengaged-only
ourselves
And a very Gull host, I am afraid, said
Gerald Beauregard, as he shook hands. Il
don't feel well at all"
''YOu don't look it, said Mrs. Langley.
az am afraid London doesn't suit you"
at doesn't, indeed! So | am going TO
leave Nellie to Max's care, and she will
run down and see me sometimes"
'Max is going down with him to-mor-
row" added Lady Elinor.
"Ycs2 Shall we not have the pleasure of
seeing him this evening"" asked Mrs. Lang
ley.
ooh yes! Here he is, | believer
The door opened, and Colonel Beaure-
gard came in. He shook hands with Mrs.
Langley, and then turned to Valerie, who
sat On Il low chair near.
But she was quite self-pOssessed now,
and gave him her hand without a tremor.
He sat down near her, and began talking
about ordinary topics, without anything
in his manner to indicate that she had of
Tended or wounded him the other evening.
Only there was the same change she had
noticed then; the old, half-tender, bright
ness had l,oue-they might have been ac-
quaintances of this season only-and
though Valerie would have found it hard
L 4. .t,1,r III
illusions to former friendship, he GER
tainly never made one; and she, poor child,
dared not.
How often, during these few minutes,
she Thought Of the mermaid and the naked
swords; and yet it WAS strange happiness
only to have him near her, to hear his
voice, though he must despise and con-
denim her in his heart.
More than once Mrs. Langley glanced
covcrtly and anXiously toward the two.
She was always good bit afraid of Max
Beaurcgard, he was so dangcrously-attrac
tive man; and it would never do for Va
lerie to throw over one posr man only to
fall in love with another.
But there was nothing in the soldiers
manner now to alright the wise matron,
no suspicious lowering of the voice on eth
eyes or change of color; and when the but
Ter announced dinner, and Lady Elinof
said: Max. will you take Valerie dOwn?"
he rose and gave his companion his arm
with some careless remark about play
they had been talking OF.
At dinner he sat next her; but all the
time, while conversing with her on general
topics, Colonel Beauregard was covertly
watching tn girls beautiful face saying
again and again TO himself:
"She is sacrificing herself for money, but
she is not happy. Had She grown to love
Charters? She cannot love Aston Law
furdn
After dinner, when they were all in the
drawing room. and Valerie was talking TO
Gerald Beaurogard, Aston Lawford was
announced. Max, under the shelter OF his
long lashcs, glanced lleenly at Valerie and
saw in her face flash that was surely not
pleasure; yet when LawfOrd came forward
she greeted him with bright smile, and
made room for him on the couch beside
her; and presently Mr.. BcaUregard crossed
the room to speak TO Mrs. Langley, and
Valerie was left tO LawfOrd'S companion
ship. Gcruld's place remained vacant
Max might have taken it; but he stood by
Mrs Langley's chair; and seemed either TO
think he vs!s not wanted elsewhere, or did
not care To seek Nalcric's society Why
should he? the girl asked herself, bitterly;
and yet her whole soul rose up in resent
meut against the tacit consignment of her
tn Aston Lawford. She would snub him,
she said to herself; ana then came n reac-
ton. No, Max Beauregard might think it
was done TO draw him on.
In her terror of Scyla the girl plunged
into Charybdis, and put on her brightest
manner for Aston I.awford, raising him to
the seventh heaven, and filing Max Beau
regard with keen desire to run the Iron
man" through the body.
Presently, however, Lady Elinor said
something to her brother in-law, and he
crossed over to Valerie.
NV sister wished me To speak to you,
Miss Herbert, he said, ''if you would make
one of our party next Tuesday at the Ly-
Ceum?"
"Who are going besides Lady Elinor?'
asked Valerie, playing with her fan, trem-
bling inwardIy, her young heart fluttering
like an imprisoned bird.
Hal Dallas and myself"
81 shall be very happy" Valerie was
beginning, when Lawford interposed:
Il thought next Tuesday was engaged"
Valerie looked at him.
'Eugaged?' she repeated. as it,"
"Ohl if that is the case" said Colonel
Beamegard, little coldly. forgive me;
only your aunt told Nellie you were free "
Aston Lawford looked with a frown on
the handsome sOldier-there was no love
lost between these two meu-and said to
Valerie:
You half promised to go with Lettice
and me to the German Operap'
Did II Oh, we'll, htff promise IS not
whole one" returned the girl with
careless laugh. please tell Lady Elinor,
Colonel Beauregard, that | shall be very
happy 10 join your party ON Tuesday"
Beauregard bowed gravcly, and turned
away; but he heard L-awtorUs quick, low
question, and the girls reply:
surely, Valerie, You cannot prefer to go
with thcms"
Surely, Mr. Lawford, am not going tc
give rhyme and reason for all | do, 10 any
one Pray understand thatr'
And Max set his teeth like a vice.
Was Valerie an Unborn coquette, selling
herself to one man, yet bent on the con.
quest OF allI Truly, it seemed rs if she
was.
CHAPTER NNvIL-Ar THE LYCEUM.
Lady Elinor Beauregard's carriage drew
up at the door of Mrs. Langley's house in
Upper Brook Street, and the lady turned
to Colonel Beauregart. who sat by her
Go up, Max, and fetch Valerie, please.