Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-19
CHAPTER XLI.-A sPRAIN.

XIV ~, do VIZ nav e W UGSit very SOOI
friends, and change my mind about going
on, if you will be sensible"
CHAPTER XLI.-A SPRAIN.
Lord Westbrook crossed the stile in
silence, and held out his hand to assist Va
lerie. He could not help feeling grateful
to her, for he knew she was doing this fol-
his sake, to enable him to compose his face
and manner before Colonel Beauregard anG
his companion came up, and he was re-
morseful for his harsh accusation.
Forgive me-" he said, after a minute:
pause. 81 was brute to say what 1 did,
''There is nothing to forgive The truth
is a novelty to mel don't often hear it
Please say no more about it; but get me
down those dog-roses.
"Westbrook is hard hit,'' observed Mrs
Dudley, as Valerie and the young peer
went on toward the hill; land she?''
"Only flirts with him. Westbrook is
heir to a poor peerage. Very likely he
would throw over everything for her; but
-" he finished with shrug.
Mrs. Dudley laughed.
81 think she has her heart well in hand, .
she said, eff anyone has"
Max thought of the sweet eyes that had
looked UP to him in the thunderstorm two
years ago, that were somehow so little
changed for all the crust of worldiness
that had choked the pure nature, and he
could not bring his lips to traduce his idol
He only said;
''No man should say, should he, that q
woman is heartless?"
The widow looked down.
GLOW many men would speak like that?'i
she said
81 don't know; but 1 think we have lost
far too much of the older chivalry which
treated women with a reverence akin to
worship"
''In theory, Colonel Beauregard-in moth
ing else"
mot in theory only; that is, there were
instances in which the theory was carried
into facts; and in rude and coarse ages
there was something even in the theory,
for remember that it tinged all the poetry
of the period, and so had it's influence,
greater than we will sometimes allow.
We are in no danger to-day of returning tC
the practice of carrying off ladies bon gre,
mai gre, but we need more of the tone that
pervades the 'Faerie Queene,' and the old
er poets"
st is much our own fault, isn't it?'' said
Mrs. Dudley-"we women, I mean? Still,
it is rare treat to find a man inclined to
be gentle with our faults, and carry out
as we'll as uphold doctrines of chivalry."
"Ah! you will be personal" said Beau
regard, biting his lip in some vexation.
81 PROFOUND d theory, and you pay COM
pliment. But here we are at the stile, and
there are Westbrook and Valerie gathering
wild roses.'
Valerie made light of the steep path up
the hillside, but Mrs. Dudley found it a
toilsome ascent, and paused more than once
en- route to rest, reaching the top at last,
hot ami painting.
"Ohr' she exclaimed, sitting down on a
tree-stump. mo more climbing for mep'
''Not uptlere!' said Colonel B aauregard,
laughing, and pointing to what appeared
to Mrs. Dudley's astonished gaze an mac
cessible precipice."
'Iherer' she exclaimed, blankly. "Are
you joking? Did you really mean Valerie
and me to climb such a placer"
Il can do it," cried Valerie
'Weu, you may then; but I don't want
to break my neck. Don't let me keep any
one, however, can rest here while you all
go up. But how do you propose to get
down again?"
Easily" said Colonel Beauregard, good
deal amused. ''Only better way would
be, if you are good enough to excuse me-
as pioneer is needful-if you would pres
emily saunter on slowly, and we can descend
over the other side and meet you"
Very well. But fancy climbing such
placer
''Come, then" said Max; "Valerie. fol-
low me, and Westbrook next"
Light-built lissome, sure of eye and foot
as a highlander, there were not many
climbs that would have proved insurmount-
able to Max Beauregard. He was up the
steep and craggy hillside several yards in
an instant, and paused to see how Valerie
followed.
She was close on his steps as he turned,
Lord Westbrook several feet below her.
well doner' said Beauregard; but be
careful-this is only the beginning"
He went on, Valerie still following close,
Westbrook some way lower
Presently, Beauregard put his foot on a
projecting root, and. Selling a sapling
above, swung himself easily to a higher
ledge, where, his left hand still grasping
the tree, he turned and stretched out his
hand to Valerie.
your hand, fairy; you can't get up here
without help"
NO." she said, laughing, and giving him
her hand. 81 should want to be as tall as
you for that"
Put your foot there-that's itI''
In a second she stood beside him, flashed
(not all with the climbing and painting a
little. looking down on Lord Westbrook
toiling upward, because she hardly cared
to look at her companion.
And he-he had dropped her hand, look
ing down, not on Lord Westbrook, who
might be an hour coming up for all he
cared, but on her, and feeling that he
Had given all other bliss
And all his worldly worth for this
To waste his whole heart in one kiss
Upon her perfect lips"
lord ysestbrook doesn't get on very
quickly" said Valerie, to break the silence,
which made her tremnle inwardly
HE is just below that shrub'' returned
Beauregard, pointing TO one that hid him.
1itrIo to tho rioht