Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-01-26

les, 60CEe Sn6 WIS, SduIlGTlU8 SLOWLY
down the room observed Of all observers"
leaning on Lord Denmore's arm. Louis,
too. had heard enough. He made his way,
with flushed cheek and beating heart,
through the crowd to Valerie's side; and
suddenly, as he drew near. his eyes fell
on the bouquet the girl carried, and he al
most caught his breath with the fierce pang
Of jealousy that shot through him Not
his fiOwers-not hisl whose then?n
So close he was TO Valerie, and she did
not see him! he touched her lightly, and
she turned with start.
LOUISE
Surprise, some pleasure, but something,
too, that was hardly pleasure, and as she
met his look her own sank, and the blood
rushed to her cheek. She had been wrong,
wrOng-she felt it clearly now; though she
could not comprehend the full measure of
the pain she had inflicted: but this was no
time or place for explanations and apology.
Have you only just arrived" she added,
rapidly, for the sake of saying something.
THAT is all" he answered, a little cold
~. "Are you engaged for the next set,
Valerie?"
Yes, the next; but kept the one fol
lowing for YOU
Thanks" He bowed and passed on.
Your friend seems rufied," remarked
Lord Denmore, with slightly cynical
smile, as they moved onward.
Valerie was too generous and truthful to
permit the implication that Louis was to
blame, although she thought he ought not,
on so public an occasion, to have shown
displeasure.
cit was my fault that he is sou she re-
,o1 nd T ord IN;E II
lip, feeling that his remark was hardly
good FORM" yet wondering who this was
whom his lovely companion called ''Louis, -
and who called her ''ValeSie'
Louis, at that moment, was greeted by a
voice he was hardly in the mood to hear
with pleasure; and yet the mellow intona-
ton, the winning cordially Modified him
in spite of himself.
''NIr Chartarisl-only just turned up?-
delighted to see your
And there was Max Beauregard, looking
handsome enough, and with that air dis
tingue which is more striking even than
beauty, to make any lover jealous, holding
out his hand.
Louis brow relaxed, he even smiled as
he gave his own hand in reply.
LET me introduce you TO some of our
fellows" added Beauregard-''a you'll
want partner suppose you don't know
many people here? Dallas" touching one
of q group of young men standing near,
''let me introduce you to Mr.. Charteris;-
my OLD friend, Lieutenant Dallas. Major
Travers-Mr. Charteris. Travers, pray
present Mr. Charters to your sister-I see
her yonder; must go in search OF my part
ner"
Easily found, my boy!' said the merry
Major; "follow the crowd! Lucky Dogr'
he added to Charters, as he led the new
arrival to where very pretty girl sat be-
side an elderly lady. ''Have you seen the
beIle-Miss Herbert?"
Charters laughed.
Il have known her the best part of my
life" he said, drily.
"Tndeedp' Major Travers looked at
Charters with new interest, and whis-
tied, metaphorically 'No wonder you
look glumr' was his mental comment,
you're rather heavily handicapped"
81 must compliment you," he could not
resist saying, somewhat maliciously, cit is
a clean walk over Miss Herbert has car
ried off the Blue Ribbon"
| But as Louis made no reply to this speech
| Major Travers forebore. 1t aUGS rather a
| hard case, if Charters was 'sweet on"
! the beauty to have to do the running
against "our fellows" and especially Beau.
Meanwhile, Captain Beauregard led out
| Valerie, wondering, for his keen glance
| noticed change in the young face, what
had happened to trouble her, and he could
not help connecting the change with Louis.
| Surely there was nothing between these
two-he but a youth, she a mere child.
| Beauregard set his teeth as he passed his
| arm around the girls slender form.
| "Child' she might be to him more than to
| Louis, for he was thirteen years her senior;
but she was a perilously witching child.
But now they were in the dance, step to
| step, in perfect rhythm; Valerie had little
enough of experience; but she did not be-
| lieve anyone could dance as Captain Beau
regard did; and he said to her, smiling:
81 knewyou came from Fairyland. Only
fairies in their dances under the enchanted
oak could foot it as you do!''
She looked up, her great clear eyes full
Of laughter.
No." she said, ''I have only danced at a
| few child's parties; but you would make
anyone dance, Captain Beauregard."
Now yoU make pretty speeches, Fairy
| Queen. [ wish you would admit me to
your moonlight revels."
''Ohl mortals never are admitted-are
they?" said She
81 believe not; but 1 am begging you to
| make an exception in my favor.''
'I will call a council Of war among the
fairies, and hear what they say" replied
Valerie, gravely.
They had paused to rest.
"And if voices are equally divided-yOu
viii give the casting vote for me?'' said
| Max Beauregard.
II am not surep'
81 am" he said, softly, as he put his arm
| round her again. "Are you ready?"
Yes
Her heart was beating fast She was
silent. She knew her companion was right;
and somehow she forgot all about anyone
else who, pursuing the jesting aIlegory,
should have q claim for admission to the
moonlight revels"
Yet the next dance was Louis.
He came up to claim Valerie as she sat
with Captain Reauregard, and a group of
other military men around her: and She
rose, with inward trembling, and walked
away with him.
''Who is he, Beau?' asked one of the Of
ficers, looking after him.
Mr.. Charteris-an old friend, " returned
the other, carelessly, playing with his
mustache.
"a friend?" observed young Ludlam.
"Ah.nothing more? Ridiculous if tits sop
Beauregard shrugged his shoulders.
Il can't tell you, my son. Better ask
himr'
But he said to himself, "a likely thingp'
as he walked off to delight the eldest Miss
Chantrell by asking her hand for the ap-
preaching dance; and Mrs. Fanshawe swept
down upon the remnant, and declared she