Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-03-30
CHAPTER XXXvIUI-AN APPLICATION OF AN
OLD PEDVEHB.

OLD ilN''N limb
Cant | make You believe that a soldier
can be trusted" sal, Colonel RcaurcGard,
lowering his voice; but the color that
mounted TO Lady Angcla's face, the quick
ness with which she averted if, startled
him. His speeches, both to Mrs. Dudley
and Angela herself, had been obviously
mere GUldntGrieS: serious flirting WAS the
last of Max Beauregrd's faults; and
though he knew that Lady Elinor was
anxious to advance her sister to the post
OF lady of Abhots Leigh, he had never sup
posed, though Il vainer man might have
easily supposed it, that Angela had any
more than an ordinary liking for himself
personally. Angela's look and manner in
this moment gave him rather an unpleas.
ant shock; either he had iestingly touched
Il deeper chord than he visit of, or the girl
she was cunning enough to do this-ie-
signed to give him the impression that hd
had done 50. He hit his lip, but added, cli.
rcctiv and carelessly:
"Ah! well, see l am in very bad repute,
though vow | have not earned it. Shall
we push on little2 The trio ahead will
be ont of sight in a minute or Uwo.'
And he had no intention of being tied to
his two present companions throughout the
ride.
They soon came up with the other three,
and presently the park gates wore passed,
and after short bit of road came Il broad
stretch of heath.
Now" said Colonel Beauregard, "for Q
gallopH'
In the instant that he spoke, Valerie gave
Zoe the rein, and away went the Arab,
with a wild snort of delight In two min
utcs the tieet-foOted animal, carrying but
a feather-weight had diStanced her late
companions; but Princes long stride gained
quickly on her, and halfway across the
heath Max Beauregard rode uptO Ealerie's
side.
The girl turned bright look to him, and
met in his eyes something like a flash OF
triumph, and the wild-rOSe flush on her
cheek deepened the breath came fast
through her parted lips; sky and land
seemed but haze: she only heard the thud
of the horses hoofs on the velvet turf; only
knew that Max was with her-Max alone
riding on-on through the summer cir
and the glorious sunlight, under the blue
sky-On-On-faster, faster-tIll her breath
came in sobbing gasp and her brain
was growing dizzy: and then Max Beaure-
gard bent toward her. srelking low, but
decidedly:
"Valerie. draw rein, you are brcathed-
draw reinr'
She was weIl-nigh spent. less with the
ride than the mental agitation; but she had
strength enough to pull the mare in n lit
tie, not to stop her. BeaureEard grasped
the rein with his right hand, checking
Prince with his left, and Zoe slackcncd,
stopped dead. with heaving flankS and
qulverlng limbs. but not half tanned yet
Valerie could not speak: her swift. half
yelled glance said Thanks" She sat
dropping, painting. Max watched her
minute in silence, patting Zoe's glossy
neck, not trusting himself just yet, for the
blood was leaping like fire through his
veins, and passionate words quivered on
his lips; but the self-mastcry of years did
not utterly fail him now. and in a moment
or two be moved his hand from Zoe's neck
to her riders hand.
Poor chiId.'' he said, tenderly; iii was
my fault, ought to have stopped you be
fore"
'No-no." If he had only known that II
was his fault. though not as he meant: il
he had only known how every fibre of her
frame vibrated TO his touch "I-Iw wanted
to 90 ont was a glorious rider
"Ay," he said. under his breath; and hi:
dark eyes flashed; for a second his CLASP
closed over the little hand on which his
had rested; but as quickly relaxed. and he
paused, setting his teeth close: while Va.
lerie, who had started, and changed color.
turned to look behind her. though her eyes
were blinded. and she could see nothing.
BeauTpuard turned TOO