Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-03-09

Henley!" asked Lady Eiinor, after pause,
gliding off, automatically, from the main
question.
'sShe has given no definite answer yet,
though know she has over dozen invi
tations."
Dear, dearl she plays the coquette to
the top of her bent. But don't think
there's much to fear; in fact, you know"
said Lady Elinor, decidedly, ''she could
hardly draw back now-it is too late; every
one talks of the affair as settled Her aunt
says right and left that it is. She can't for
a moment mean to throw you over finally;
even IL, out of sheer coquetry, she does so
at first. But then, certainly, Mrs Langley
would interfere"
II shall make her understand" said AS
ton Lawford, with heavy frown, that
don't intend to be thrown off, and beckon-
ed back at WILL
This was more than Max Beauregard
could stand. He rose and walked across
the room, and sat down, taking up book.
"Max thinks he is de trOp," said Lady
Elinor, in low voice. and with a smile.
But pray don't let me drive him away,
Lady Elinorr'
"Oh, never mindi The tea viii be up
directly. But, if 1 may be permitted to of
fer advice, Mr. Lawford, deal gently with
Valerie; she has very strong will, and has
been SO petted and spoiled, that | really
don't think she realizes there is point be-
yond which even beauty may not gon'
81 am too fond of her." said he, Ito be
otherwise than gentle: but | am no boy to
be girls sport-to be encouraged one
minute, and snubbed the nextr'
"Why, no! you are quite right there.
Shall you see her before Henley"
II shall write to her, Lady Elinor."
"Ah! the best way, perhaps, under the
circumstances. Here comes the tear said
Lady Elinor, relieved in more ways than
one. MAX, come hercp'
Colonel Beauregard dropped his book
and came forward, and conversation then
turned from Valerie.
By-and-by LawfOrd took his leave
al hope soon" he said, as he shook hands
with Lady Elinor, ''to have to ask you for
your congratulationsr'
II hope So" said she. Remember Inc
to your sister"
The door closed on Valere's sutton, and
Lady Elinor subsidized into her chair.
Poor, dear man" she said. But really,
Valerie treats him badly"
Hes an insufferable cadr' said Colonel
Beauregard, shortly. Forgive me, Nelliew
'Certainly. 1t came ont with all your
heart, Max. You never liked Lawford,
know, but he is not a cad"
Bah! A man may have better blood
than he has, and be a cad to the core of his
soul. Heaven help the woman who mar
ries him for his miIlionsl She will be
mated TO Il clown indeedp'
"Ah, Max" said Lady Elinor, with a
genuine ring of pathos in her voice, there
are not many men like you. You have a
standard too high for ordinary people to
come up to. Most of us are made Of poor
clay after ALL and worship the golden cali"
"A beggarly worship, Nellie; but 1 know
j am wrong-according to the great I'M
written canon. | am content to be right
by the written one. Goodbye for the
present, dear. promised to meet Dallas
and some other fellows at the Rag this
evening"
he kissed her gently and went out.
CHAPTER XIX. Two LETTERS AND TELE.
GRAM.
1t is not an easy thing to write an offel
of marriage; at any rate Aston Lawford
did not find it So And then he had, in adj
dition, the task of making Valerie Herbert
understand clearly, without expressing
harshly, that the offer would not be re.
newed if she should think fit to play the
ooquette and refuse him. OF course IL
would be. Lawford was thoroughly infat.
uated. Had his love been of nobler type
he would scarcely have tolerated so long
the girls cavalier way of treating him; and
this Valerie knew quite we'll Where she
made a mistake WAS in not even crediting
him with as much affection for her us he
really had. She thought her beauty pleas,
ed him, and he wanted to have lovely
woman at the head of his establishment,
and to marry the belle of the season. And
though she knew her power over the man,
she certainly did not grasp its full extent.
But why did not Aston Lawford see Va.
lerio and plead his cause in person. 1t
must DO owned that in the first place
albeit he would not have confessed 1.-THE
was afraid of the willful beauty. She
might refuse to be brought to bay; treat
his proposal with bGdindgc; or with some
OF her hundred woman's wiles place him
at disadvantage; a letter was plain black
and white; there could be no mistaking it,
or pretense of doing so. Next, Mrs Lang
ley was sure to see the letter before a reply
was returned, and if Valerie was inclined
to play fast and loose" her aunt would
prevent IL; for. Notwithstanding Aston
bawfords disclaimer of coercion pro-
nounced in Max Beauregard's hearing, the
ironmaster was by no means above putting
on tho thumbscrew if it should be neces
sary. But that it would be necessary never
for an instant occurred to him Valerie
would in reality jump at the offer, which
lpHppl she pnyht fD MT Ipi,pr har
great honor. She had absolutely no dower
but her beauty; and here was n man of
vast wealth and neutrality-suspicious. man
twice her age, who might, If he chose, have
married Il peers daughter-singllng her
out for the distinction of being his wife.
How many letters Mr.. Lawford tore up
before composing one that satisfied him it
were bootless to euumerate. He was the
whole morning locked up I'm his study; but
he succeeded at length, and despatched the
missiye by aservant to Upper Brook Street.
Valerie had inst returned with Amy Lin
wool, Hal Dallas, and Lord Westbrook
from the morning ride, when the letter was
put into her hands She started as she
glanced at the address, but put the letter
into her pocket until "a more convenient
season." Mrs. Langley could not have
seen it, for she had gone to luncheon with
IA friend.
Valerie quickly changed her habit, and
thsn all four sat down to lunchson, and
there WAS much talking and laughing. II
there was one heavy heart there, there was
no outward sign of IL.
Have You decided yet whose party you
are going TO join for Henley, Miss Her.
bertY' asked Lord Westbrook. only
ihreA IoNS now no toll r,,ai1
why do you want to know"
why do Iwant to knows Doesn't every.
bodyf How you do teaser"
Naturally. Well, l am going with Lady
Stoncnd's people. sent in my adhesion
last night"
"Gloridtm
Wont Lawford cut up rough?" said
Dallas, In an undertonc to Amy; and Amy
nodded little vaguely, and glanced I'M
easily ut Valerie. Was the girl growing a
perfectly reckless coquette. Why this I'M
mistakable snub to man to whom she
was almost engaged
Whom are you going with, Mr. Dallas"
she asked
with Beau and Lady Elinor, and three
or four Others. | wish you were of the
party" added Hal, lowering his teue.
Amy colored. and changed the subjsct.
Shortly after luncheon Valerie's guests
departed, all having other engagements,
and the girl was alone.
With n sinking at heart she took her way
TO the boudoir and sittinr down In a low