Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-29

decline all lnVlJaJlOnS-aS TREND OIL Eli
nor's and thefamily generally one could
not well visit this autumn-at any rate,
not until September"
ooh, no, pon' said Valerie, quickly; ''and
it would be nicer to go to Italy"
And do you more good, child. Yes, we
will 90"
So right and left sped letters from Mrs.
Langley to friends at whose country houses
she and Valerie were to have visited, eX-
cusing their inability to keep their engage
ments on account Of Gerald Baauregard's
death; and there was not a little grumbIing
among the men, because the beauty would
be absent from houses to which not a few
had accepted invitations only in order to
meet her.
CHAPTER XXyTI.-LOvED oNCE-LOvED EVER
Dallas, old fellow, welcome! it always
does one good to see your face"
50 Max Beaure-ard spoke, rising from a
table in the library in Whitehall Gardens,
said table being covered with letters and
papers.
.But are you not awfuliy busy, BeauY'
asked Hal, rs the hands Of the two men
met in close clasp.
'Bgsy enough; but it would be strange
III
more ut any time True friends are scarce,
you know. Sit d0wn-there's no hurryn'
Dallas seated himself, and Beauregard
resumed his place at the table.
''And how is Lady EIinor?" asked Dallas.
s'To!eruhly we'll" He knew that Lady
Elinor's grief was not deep-seated; but he
would not have said this even to Hal Dali
las. ''She is still at Abbot's Leigh, and as
soon as | can leave England / am going to
take her abroad for two or three months"
''That will do her good, said Dallas. 81
called in Upper Brook Street yesterday, by
the way, and Mrs. Langley told me that
she and Miss Herbert are going abroad
mott likely until October or early in No
yember"
For so long," said Baauregard, with
touch of surprise in his tone.
only three or four MONTHS" replied
Dallas. "They don't leave until next
week"
II didn't mean that, Hal" returned the
other, moving Il little so rs to cast his face
in shadow; but the Lawford affair"
THE Lawford AFFAIR." repeated Dallas,
staring; haven't you heard, then?"
Heard WHAT" said Beauregard, quick
~; then checked himself abruptly, and
added:
Il have been two days in town and have
seen no one except on business What is
there to know?"
why" said Hal, looking down and
changing color Il little, that's all off.
Everyone in town knows it."
Fore minute there was a mist before Beau
regards eyes. The hideous thought those
words OF Halls conjured up could not crush
the passionate gladness that made his
heart throb so wildly. However freedom
had come about-whatever the motive that
had made Valerie snap the meshes that
surrounded her-still she was free. She
was not his, but she was no other mans.
But after that minute Beauregard had
mastered himself, and said, quietly:
1T was Valerie who broke off the match,
of course? When?"
well, one doesn't like to believe such
things of any woman. Beau, especially
such a bewitching creature as Miss Her
BERT but l don't know; it looks awfully
black. Look here-you won't mind my
saying-in fact, it's what good many are
saying, naturally enough"
go on" said Beauregard, a little huslz-
lily"
Its this. then" said Dallas, reluctant
ly, but bravely; he was beginning to fear
greatly what he had once or twice suspect
ed, that Max Beauregard's interest in Va.
lerie was deeper than was consistent with
his own happiness. I'm tell you the
facts and you must draw your own con
illusions"
stay" said the soldier "Who told you
the facts?''
Aston Lawford himself The day youI
brother was taken i'll Lawford wrote tC
Miss Herbert asking her to be his wife
She had the letter in the afternoon. Mrs
Langley, who had been lunching and din
ing with some friends, called at the Law
ford's IL the evening rather late, and they
told her-she had not known it before
about Gerald's illness. She left them and
went straight home. About half-past ten
after Mrs. Langley could have reached
home-a letter came to Lawford from Miss
Herbert, decidedly declining his offer. He
had hardly read the letter when he had
from the head butler here the news OF
Gerald's death, which, the writer said, had
arrived an hour previously, and which Mrs
Langley and Miss Herbert must have
known before that refusal was written, OF
at any rate sent; and Miss Herbert would
surely not have written and despatched
such letter on her own responsibility"
Beauregard sat motionless; only the heav
ing of his breast, and the locked sterunes:
Of his features told what he was enduring
If he could only have believed this TO bt
some wretched gossip! And yet it was
after all, consistent with all that had gone
before. She had thrown over Louis Char
teris for Aston Lawford. She had giver
him Max Beauregard) clearly to under
stand, the first night he met her after hi:
long absence, that she had learned how t.
appraise younger sons. Was it anything
beyond belief-was itnot only natural, tina
wL~n the younger son became a great land
owner, and, socially, a more valuable pro
perry than the ironmaster, the latter was
in his turn, thrust aside to make way &c
the ''better match?"
Max spoke 1T last, though even then no
without an effort.
ut is the old story" he said, with bit
fer smile. 'sof the Indian girl and the corn
though tins ending may not be quite tn
same. She may fall back on the ironmas
ter after all"
ssShe's certainly not worthy of you, Beau,
said Dallas, earnestly, though its hkel
enough thar she is fond Of you, in her way.
Maybe" said the other, with strang
quietness; chat is, all other things beini
equal; she would prefer me as an appendag
to wealth and status to another man. Bet
ter a wife who offered no love at all tina
a wife whose love can compass treason,
treason can fill her hands with gold.
Beau, old comrade, Heaven help you
you care for this girl
Care former? Great Heavenl Butno!
lie rose hastily and walked through tn
room. When he came back minute G
two later, and threw himself into his chat
oorain DaIloS L: H.. -x-,,,, I;,-;c