The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1899-04-01
CHAPTER xIv.-'TRIED, TROUBLED, TEMPT

CIV OhyS OClOEC Lub uAICe S00
was to give for valerie's ~semi-debut. mr..
Charters writes far too often, and, for all
know, Valerie writes as often in reply. I
must cut this tansle loose. But howl"
She rose from her davenport, where she
had been writing some letters, and walked
meditativcly toward the fire. ~ have it,
she added, after q pause. AFTER Christ
mas l will take her abroad; we will winter
In Italy, and return for the season. That
will be better in every way; Valerie will
make an immense success at this dance.
then she will vanish; everyone will be talk
ing about her, and she will return in time
for the drawing-room, and take her place
at once as the belle OF the London season,
and 1t will be strange If shedoes not pretty
well agree with me by that time that a poor
marriage is out OF the question:
II Mrs. Langley had even remotely CON
1ectured the true state Of the case, she
would hardly, clever woman though she
was, have spoken SO confidently.
She went straight to Valerie's boudoir-
my lady had aboudoir, a French maid, and
all the paraphernalla Of fashionable dam.
sel-and made her proposition.
The girls eyes glowed. she clasped her
hands.
Observation-Disclosures she said,
under her breath. ''Oh! aunt Constance
It has been the dream OF my life!n
II am glad You like the plan, dear. II
Amy Linwood calls this afternoon, keep
her to dinner"
And she quilted the room.
.'She wants me to forget ;Lonis!" said
Valerie to herself, when once more alone;
already she was growing more worldly
wise. She thinks we cannot correspond
30 often when l am travelling about; and Of
course we cannot see each other. But
what difference would that make Tiff
Ohl Louis!'' she covered her face with q
sudden burst Of tears. What shall I do!
! am 30 %unhappvrp
Was she happy when, three nights later,
she stood in cream satin and pearls, adj
mitted Queen Of Beauty amid a beyy of
9 irwomens Was she as happy as on that
night nearly six months ago, when Max
Bt1nfegardss byslook and word, told her
slheaMnslb Az 1ttfali Did she, In the second
MISUNDERSTANDING forget the first2 Not
snnce;yetA new and perilous knowledge
Mass stalking lie and form-growing-e1
spanding--the knowledgeio Of her power; the
terrible knowledge that she-girl, STRIPPING
stronger In her beauty than q strong
ma in his strength, that her little hsnd
might grasp and crush 4 life. And this
was the london world They were men
whose names were household words In the
grand monde who crowded around the
dehutlntc, and counted 1t an. honorto hold
her fan, her bouquet, her gloves, or carry
2 message for her; they We're women uni
yersally admired, who envied her her tri-
nmph, and resolved to copy her gown.
Ay, sweet was the knswledgs Of power.
sweetSthe homage; and when all was over,
sand too excited stiltfor weariness, the girl
went up to her dressing room, her aunt
came To her, and embraced her with actual
3tearsfof delight -
Dear child Y, she criead, was ever great
q success t~haanSyoursl Yoa have surpassed
even my expectationsi Your name VIII bs
In s%veryone's mouth, Valerie. The crown
OF beauty - yonrs!',
No word OF warning; only pleasurci In the
triumph; and more incense added to the
clouds that had ioRteds around the golden
head tonight And whe1SSMr Langley
Kissed her ntece,s soft cheek and told her
70 Hs down and resi-. she hade her dream
pleasant dreams of hsssibriIliant fnturs be.
foses hsr, RI s@sss5
And left a1onss Valerie tnrned4o aelops
ehsysl.glass,s md stood before ii, stretchtna
Ehsr Mhtt1 sarnzsAa4 her heKds !
ss,ssSh Wshtlpste s,I III bsaufifulFt
shs pt,shsds h essSa.l THROUGH thsFriehi