Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-02-09

Valerie, in her moss-green velvet gown
came in, and ran up to the young man.
my own Valeriep' he said, taking her
In his arms, and kissing her many times,
lit is hard to see you SO seldom
Valerie drew herself gently from him.
1--WE cannot help it, Louis, can WEI" she
said, forcing herself to speak brightly;
land we must make up our minds to still
longer separation"
"Valeriel what do you meanY He
caught her hand almost roughly in his pain
and fear.
The girl turned white Did he love her
so muchs and she-Heaven help herk-she
felt like a hypocrite.
Only" she said, hurriedly, ''that in
January we are going abroad until the
spring."
mo, no, Valerie, you will not consent?"
"Oh, Louis, be carefulp' exclaimed the
girl, with quick glance toward the door;
ANY moment aunt Constance may come
ia. How could 1 help consenting, even if 1
did not wish to go?" Valerie's truthfulness
was not yet corrupted.
you do wish to go, them" said the
young man, excitedly-''to leave me-for
monthsl"
II have told you do, the girl answered,
shrinking back, but speaking firmly.
why should you be angry with me for
that? have always longed to go abroad"
she added, turning away toward the frs,
so that her face was hidden from him.
Louis stood still moment befors lie
followed her and took her hand again.
She let him take it, but did not cling to his.
Il have no right, perhaps" he said, in a
changed tone, Ito blame you or-or to
doubt you, because you are willing to leave
me; but I cannot help thinking that your
aunt wants to part US. When was this
decision made?"
"a few days before the dance, Louis"
"And does she attempt to forbid our
writing to each other?"
"No, mol You don't think I would sub
NIT to that?" exclaimed the girl
Before Louis could reply, the door open
ed, and Mrs. Langley came in, to Valerie's
relief, though scarcely to her lovers.
Mrs. Langley greeted the young man
cordially. She was too thoroughly well
bred a woman to ask man to her house
and then snub him.
The three dined together; there were no
guests besides Louis Charters; and during
the progress of the meal Mrs. Langley
mentioned that she and her niece purposed
making their first halt at Paris, where they
would remain about a fortnight and then
go on to Italy.
''By the way" she added, to Valerie.
"the Aston Lawfords are in Paris. Unjust
remember to call upon them"
''Aston Lawfords?" repeated Valerie.
care those the people Lord Emily was talk
ing about? He said they were iron"
aston Lawford is an ironmaster," said
Mrs. Langley, quietly: "but he is. also
man of good birth, and has a large estate
in Nottinghamshire."
"That he bought himself?" asked Valerie,
with the instructive contempt of land in
heritance for land purchase.
'None the worse man for That, sucsIy!'
observed Louis, who inclined, out of the
sheer pugnaciGy of youth, to what he term
ed ''Hberal' views. "a man who earns
land may be better man than he who
simply inherits it,"
You got those lines out of some melo-
drama, Louis" returned Valerie, cavalier
ly. 81 can't discover what they mean; I'M
less they mean that tradesman is better
than gentleman"
81 don't quite agree with either of you,"
interposed Mrs. Langley, 'but you surely
don't call an ironmaster tradesman, Va
lerie?'
81 wasn't speaking of Aston Lawford
aunt Constance. I meant that Louis idea
that man who makes money is a better
man than one who inherits it-would, in
fact, put even trade before land, wouldn't
it?"
81 didn't mean it sou said Louis, vexed
at being taken up in this style by Valerie;
"but you have such invincible prejudices
about land, ValerieT'
''These will become modified with time
and experience" said Mrs Langley, indul-
gently; meanwhile, L may tell you that
the I.awfords are received everywhere be-
cause, really, their connection with iron
is accidental The Lawfords are good
family, and Aston Lawford's mother was
a Vernon, of -. Even the Beauregard's
pardon the iron"
Are they so very proud7" asked Louis.
Intensely proud. | dare say Captain
Beauregard looks askance at the iron,"
added Mrs. Langley, laughing; "but then
military men are especially stiff on such
points,"
81 think he is quite rightp' said Valerie,
stoutly
and yet I dare say he would marry an
money!" remarked Louis.
Valerie did not for a minute think he
would, but she said no more She had an
instructive fear of being too warm in Max
Beauregard's defense.
A little before the time for Louis to take
his departure Mrs. Langley contrived to
leave the two young people together, for
this was the last Louis would see of Va
lerie for several months.
For d few moments neither spoke; then
Louis put his arm about the girl, and
whispered:
You will be true to me, Valerie, will you
not, in spite of everything?o
"Ahi Louis" the throbbing of her
heart seemed to choke her.
He interposed quickly:
Eyes, yes. know ought not to doubt
you. But there are so many things to take
you from me!''
SO many Valerie pressed her hand to
her forehead.
You think" she faltered, ''that wealth
and love of homage would change me?"
81 was afraid, Valerie. And after all, I
am so unworthy of you"
'Ah, no; you must not say that. l will
write to you," she went on, hurriedly, "as
often as / can; and-and you will write to
me; and perhaps-we shall not be SO very
long away!''
She was speaking almost at random;
heart and brain were in confusion, and
but for the self-absorption of love, Louis
must surely have noticed muck in her
manner to disquiet him. AS it was, he
drew her closer to him. and kissed her. If
it had only been brothers kiss! But now
every nerve in her body shrank from the