San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-01-09
Valerie,
OR,
HALF A .TR U TIL .
By 1.-THE DUCHESS. "

You don't seem quite yourself tonight,
my dear!" she said, in low tone.
Don't II" replied the girl, with a half
laugh. DO you mean this evening, or just
nowS"
Just now"
"Ah, thought so. You always call the
mask the face, and the face the mask"
And of that reply Mrs. Langley had to
make the best she could; but that best
was not very satisfactory. Certainly Va
lerie was an enigma.
Friday dawned with the promise Of a
glorious day; and Valerie, who had scarce
~ slept during the night, rose before the
sun was fairly above the horizon. She
dressed quickly, and then began moving
about, opening drawers, and taking out
srtudry articles, which she put altogether
in one drawer, previously cleared out for
the purpose. They were entirely personal
souvenirs thus collected photographs,
nicknacks. bought on the Continent out of
her own pocket-mOney and such things.
Jewels were not touched, nor wearing APP
parel. IL will tell FanchOn by-and-by,"
the girl said to herself, what clothes to
pack. The jewels are not Miner
Her face was white and resolute while
she went about her strange task, her eyes
dry and fearless. One large box made of
satin-wood, inlaid with silver she took in
her hands with a special and revercnt care,
and was about to put it IN the drawer with
the rest of her treasures when she paused
-hesitated-her face changed, and sud
denly, with trembling fingers, she drew
out her purse, and took from it a little key.
With this she opened the box, and faint
sweet smell of flowers rose up. Tenderly
she removed a dainty lace handkerchief,
then some silver paper, and there lay
boquet Of faded flowers, still in their fiagree
holder. Almost holding her breath, Va
lerie lifted the boquet from its bed, and
laid it against her lips; then, suddenly, she
put it down on the table before her, and
dropping on her knees, burst into storm
of passionate weeping; that detied all eff
forts of self-control. With all her strength
she strove to check her sobs, but it was in
vain; the tempest would have way, and on
ly ceased when 1t had exhausted its victim
beyond the power of weeping any more.
81 shall be stronger nOw!' she said,
drearily, to herself, slowly rising to her
feet, and almost staggering to fauteuil
near, into which she sank, weak and trem-
bling.
"Stronger-much stronger-better able
to say goodbye to him. Oh, my heartl If
it would only cease achingp She stretched
out her hand for the flowers, and laid
them in her lap, looking down on them in
passionate woe, as If they had been living
things.
MAXI she said, softly, and now the
rich color mantled over cheek and brow,
her breast heaved, her breath came quick
and short, "you love mei-yes!-you love
mel Oh, Heavensp' She clasped her hands
over her eyes with smothered cry; land
yet we must part! you cannot help met
is too latel cannot blot out the past; but
can live nObler life in the future; and /
have done no wrong-I have done no
wrongl Oh, will no voice from Heaven
whisper the truth TO him, and save US both
from this miseryp'
She rose by-and-by, and put the flowers
back in the box again, though not till she
had kissed them many times, then she
locked the box, and placed It in the drawer
and locked that also