Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-03-09
" a IEiR / e.,
HALF p TRUTH
"BY THE DUCHESS"

smiling
Because she requires it," said Beaure-
gard Don't you think So Miss HERBERT"
How she hated that Miss Herbert" and
If she had regarded the man as a friend
only, she would have reminded him that,
having already omitted il, he would please
her best by doing SO in future; but she was
tongue-tied.
Lady Elinor came unexpectedly to the
rescue, interposing before Valerie could
reply
''For shame, Max, trying to get Valerie
on your side And | am sure she doesn't
want You TO call her Miss Herbert any
longer Do you, Valeries"
A light color crossed the mans bronZed
face, his dark eyes flashed. He answered,
quickly:
you take Miss Herbert at disadvant-
rye, Nellien'
"Ah, but" said Valerie, in low tone:
she had colored a little. too. but laughed
as she spoke, to hide deep feeling-"I would
much rather you dropped my surname. ]
hate for. alities, You know"
And am the last man TO hold by them"
he answered, in the same manner; but, OF
course in these things, the lady must be
the arbiter"
II might seem small thing, and yet il
was much TO both of them, this breaking
down of barrier which seemed to ignore
friendship. 1t was generous, too. in Max.
Valerie thought, with swelling heart
most generous, not TO remind her, by even
the infection of a tone, that she had so
acted IA TO imply that she scarcely cared to
remember the past, and certainly not to
encourage more than mere acquaintance.
hip in the present. She had been cruel
and unjust to him, and he had thrust the
dagger into the sheath when she herself
had put ID naked into his hands.
Once more the curtain rose, and the play
went on: and gradually Lady Elinor grew
more tranquilIzea, though she hailed with
satisfaction the fall of the green curtain.
You're glad it is all over, Ell, Nelie?"
asked Colonel Beauregard. quizzically, az
he took up Vnlcrie's mantle.
wicked fellow! Yes. am; and ! am
glad Mr. Lawford wasn't in the house, for
he would have been rushing round like u
mailman to make sure that Valerie was
not reduced to ashes"
lie would have known, / hope" said
Colonel Beauregard quietly, though he
was white with suppressed passion ut the
implied ownership OF the girl, that Valerie
was in safe hands"
And rs he spoke he drew the mantle
carefully about her; but there was no ten.
derness In his touch now and Valerie felt
as II turned 10 stone, her silence lending
strength to the impression that she at least
did not repudiate Aston Lawford's claim
t. take special interest in her.
"Dh, yes OF course" said Lady ElnOr:
"but then, you know-thanks, Mr.. Dallas
that"
II know" interrupted Colonel Baaure.
gard rather shortly, that If you ars much
longer Mrs. Langley will imagine we have
spirited Valerie away altogether between
us. Are you ready"
Yes, yes. You military men always
want things to he done SO quickly. That
is right. Draw the hood well ever IN y head,
Mr.. Dallas, or shall get neuralgia You
never have that, Valerie-fortunate girl
Thanks. Mr.. Dallas"
And Lady Ilinor Mt length tripped out
Of tho box, and Max followed with Valerie
Fancy said Lady Elnor, when bid
ding adiGu to Valerie in Upper Brook
Street, 'how time flieBl Henley next week,
and the season nearly overl | hope the
weather viii lie finer
Yes, indeed. Goodnight, and thanks
30 much for my pleasant evening. Good
night, Colonel Beaurcgard"
The door closed upon her. and az Max
returned to tho carriage. Lady Elinor s~d
Il suppose she will so to Henley with
the Lawfords''
81 suppose So"
And there will be n splendid wedding
in the autumn" said Lady Elinor, leaning
back among the luxurious cushions and
closing her eyes. well, i think Valerie
Is wise, Lawford will make very good
husband, as husbands go; and she will have
every wish gratined What more can a
girl require?"
They don't seem to require more"
''Ah, you have romantic ideas, Max; you
are n regular Bayard What pity You
might marry millions if you chose"
What nonsense you talk, Nellie" he
said, laughing. eff you must chatter.
chatter about Henley"
but Lady Efnor yawned, and relapsed
into silence. There would he no Henley
for her this year, nor for Valerie; but nelth-
or of them dreamed OF this now.
CHAPTER XXvur-MR. LAwFoRD's rERPLEx.
lTY.
-Four days before Henley Regatta, and
Colonel Baauregard and his sister-in-law
were alone together-a not very frequent
condition of things.
1t was Just before afternoon tea. and she
was reading y society paper-especlally the
items about the Marlborough House bah
two night ago. where Valerie Herbert had
been the belle; and he was reading lette'
from Mrs. Fanshawe.
81 actually hoard from Valerie Herbert
the other day." wrote the lady. "Shs
rarely writes now. suppose old friends
don't count. Not long letter, and what
| should call superficial | never was Sc
disappointed in anyone. And it seems sh"
is going to marry Aston Lavford-not that
she says so, but others do. Perhaps she
viii be happy in her way. She seems &c
have grown hard and worldly. | only hope
you haven't let her make conquest of
you, rs she has of all the other men, for
such n girl could never make you happy"
Baauregard closed the letter aud, rising,
walked into the conservatory, and sat
down, leaning his forehead on his hand.
Happy" he said. inwardly. mo! /
must honor as well IA love the woman ]
make my wife; must know that her love
IL for me, not for mine; but Oh. Heavenl If
| could tear this love out of my heart! Use
lass TO try; it Is very part of my life
nay, must carry it with me beyond the
gravel"
lie rose after a few minutes, and turned
back to the drawing-room; and rs he en-.
tered, the door opened, and Mr.. Lawfori
was announced
Lady Eiinor dropped her paper, and held
out her hand cordially.
Delighted to see youg" she exclaimed.
You are just in time for cup of tea.
How fortunate! Max ring the bell, please"
Mr.. Lawford shook hands with Colonel
Beauresard, and sat down by his hostess.
Il have been reading about the ball Mt
Marlborough House." continued Lady Eli
nor, whilc Beauregard threw himself into
an armchair opposite, and wished Aston
Lawtord at-well, Mt homel
The little lady saw that her visitor look
ed "glum,' and she wanted To draw hin,
out, convinced that the capricious beauty
OF tho season was in some way accountable.
Him." he said; ''have your \ brilliant
affair"
Indeed it wasl Aud Valerie danced
with the Prince. She carried Off the hon
ors-Cu I'll sans dire. saw her dress be.
fore she went; it was dreams marvel
a"
"A poem in satin and lace" concluded
Beauregard, gravsly. "Rossetti In fabric.
Pray don't underwater
"Ba quiet Max! don't be sarcasticl Did
yen see the dress. Mr.. Lawfordf"
mo he replied. crlmlv. hint she wac