Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-01-06

The soldier shuddered, and instinctively
frightened his clasp of the fragile form at
the thought Of what might have happened
to this delicate young creature, left to
struggle alone through the pitiless storm.
Il might never have reached bennington
but for you" said the girl, gratefully, feel
ing the shudder, the closer clasp, and di-
vining the mans thought.
Don't talk of it, he said, hastily, a lit
| tie huskily. A minute later: We are not
far now, thank Heayenl for your sake''
"And yours, too, y said Valerie, in perfect
| good faith.
Hist As IL he would not rather the two
miles had been ten, to ride on with this
winsOme fairy in his arms, clinging TO him,
the golden head resting against him, the
exquisite face close to his Owni He would
be less than man, and certainly less than
soldier. who felt otherwise. No: for the
sake-of hers only, hc was glad they We're
nearing the town; for himself, he grudged
every yard Of ground.
DO you live in Donnington2" he asked,
not answering the girls last remark.
NO, live at Welford-nearly four miles
behind Us. / was walking to bennington
when the storm came on"
Where, then, shall | set you down?
Don't start, " he added laughing, we will
dismount before we actually enter the
town"
Valerie laughed, too.
"Oh. Of course" She said, but Il have
no friends in bennington. / must take
shelter in a shop until the storm = over"
WHAT wet rs you are2 Impossiblel I
will take you to our Generals wife, Mrs.
Fanshawe, she will be in her element, TAX
ing care of "A storn-drcuched young lady"
ooh. please uo-you must not, jHdCCdp'
cried Valerie II am quite stranger to
her. Oh, you must not"
But ! must" said he smiling Mt her
distress, which was infinitely witchiug.
DO you imagine I could put you inside
some shop and leave you there all drenchcd
for cold and fever TO soak into you? Come
worse to worse, the wife of one of my men
should look aftcryOu; but shall take you
to Mrs. Fanshawe She is n friend of mine.
am afraid there is nothing for you but
the soldiers virtue Of obedience"
81 ought To have it by Inheritance" said
Valerie. smiling.
"ITow2 Are you a soldiers daughters"
asked the other, with an eageruess that
the girl might have felt as fattering had
she been more Of a coquctte.
"Ycs." she said, proudly, coloring little.
az am Major Hcrhcri'S daughter"
"TIerbertl Edmund IIcrbert?"
The girls eyes flashed.
Yes; did you know him?" she asked,
quickly.
Not personally; but every soldier knows
his name, and houors it," What look
the words won him from those beautiful
gray cyc~l il made his heart beat faster
Why" he said, chow could you be so
afraid Of going to Mrs. F,nshawe? You
have a claim on heron any soldier or
soldiers wife"
"WuuId She feel like that?" asked Va
Icric, wis,fu,ly.
"Ay. she does feel SO"
A. he spoke hc drew rein.
I've are almost in the town. now" he
said. The Generals house is not far from
here"
lie lifted Valerie to the ground, and then
di-mDuutrd Slipped his horses bride over
his arm, and they w"Ilrd ON briokly into
the now deserted High Street
My people will be So anxious" said Va
lcric, "hut il cannot be helped"
II viii send an orderly over with mes
sago, if you viii give me Your address,"
'In this Storm Ont uo-no."
He nughcd
"Soldicr- are not made of plaster, you
KNOW he said, Quizlnally
Eyes, do know, hut anyhow will wait
little; the storm may give over, and then
| can return hom" myself"
81 viii drive YOU home when you are able
to 90, if you will let me-"
81 could not bc SO CncroaCningl Don't
ask me that, please"
"Eucroachin-W repeated the other, bit
ing his lip under his mou+tachc Whatau
innocent specimen of humanity this girl
was IF there is any rnCrnaChmcut, it is
on my side, for asking the favor"
slight wave of color crossed the girls
check II just dawucd upon her that there
waS-trom his point Of view-uo polite fic-
ton involved in her compartments last
words; bat that was all the more reason
for yielding the point.
You have been too kind already" she
said, simply; but suppose you must
have Your way; and thank you very, very
much"
Thank you, Miss Herbert. Here we
are"
lie turned up street of private houses.
and paused before the door of a large red
brick house ut the corner.
valerie glanced up nerVouSIy at the ar
ray oi windows as her cavalier rang the
h'II sounding peal that must have re
S"uu"'" from ''iLir /" Garr"I-
mere were q"l'A steps within, and the
door was "pro'd 'E a mau-Servant, who
started an" stared IN W"ndrrn"ut.
captain braurrg1rI!' he exclaimed.
The captain drew Valerie into the hall.
Kun for Mrs fanShaWc, Robert he
sald. hIS young iady must be seen to at
once. ann in NO plight for drawing
room. Are Nou chIllrd2' he added, bend
ing down To Valerie as the servant vanish
ed; her checks were glowing, her eyes
shining.
NO She said, mot in the least
CHATS right. Al! here she comcsi'
Valerie shranh back little. is a stout,
elderly Edy. with most pleasant face
fun of concern. appeared, quickly descend
iug the broad STAIRS, but Captain Braure-
gard exclaimed. laughing:
Mrs FmusHawc have brought You a
storm beaten fairy to take care of
My dear Max said She, gaining the
hall, and looking in wonder and Che could
scc) great admiration at Valerie, what
mas hapDen"ds My poor child, You must
I'm q u lTr Ia.