Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-03-11

Half a Truth.
BY THE DUcHEss."

- AEA6 DOSf1Eo6.
Miss Herbert" Interrupted Captain
8eauregard, gravely. 'the resolution has
Deen put and carried mem. con. Tea and
cake are the next subjects on the paper.
ALLOW mef" handing her the articles speci-
ned; and the General laid a caressing hand
On the girls golden curls.
1--WE couldn't spare your he said. cont
nj the Question: Why, you'll b. the belle
of the nalP Don't YOU give b eau too many
dnncea keep some for the others, or there'il
be rlfschief.''
ia Valerie was obliged TO yield-willing.
" encdgh, it must be allowed. Aud. after
Oil, she was to have her wish-to go to a
ball, and, above everything, a military
Dali She admitted, in conf lence, to Can.
tain Bcs':.egard, how much she had de.
stred tLs, and o her desire had come
abor. quite, as it seemed, by chance,
III there Is such a thing as chance, f" said
be-,
What n happy evening that was to Va
iertel low often she looked back upon It
af.,.r-, ard with vain regretl
Louis Charters was, somehow, not act
ually forgotten, but rclegated to the back
ground. Certainly Max Beauregarl was
a man more foraled than simple, country
bred Louis % win a woman's or a girls
Observation-Disclosures, brilliant, a man
OF the world, and n soldier, who though no
more -han tAirty, had seen much service,
done brave deeds. and won glory in many
a foushten field"
valerie was opening her Young eyes upon
anew world-a world that seemed to her
very bright and dazzling, full of lipht and
color: and Captain B~cauregard's voice was
30 soft and finely modulated, and he talked
as Louis could not talk. or course he was
older and more intellectual, and had had
ionger and more varied experience; but
that onLy accounted for facts, it did not
aloPr chem. Poor Louisl
bot shortly after dinner (the storm had
long c~eased), Valerie asked if she could re-
eurn nome now; she ought not to be late.
You will be early IL you leave here ut
nine," said Mrs. Fanshawc. Captain
oeauregard is going to drive you over, isn't
ne' Your uncle knows where you are,
onau Jonn take a message to your QUAR-
tiers. NIX. to send up the ~dogcarty"
"phanks-yes."
The message was sent and at nine o'clock
Valerie went up with Mrs. Fanshawe's
maid to be arrayed in her own garments;
but the Generals wife insisted on adding
thereunto n warm mantle; and she took
the girl in her arms, and kissed her afTec.
doDately.
You must let me come and see you soon,
dear" said she; land you must come and
See me-"
And Valerie put herarms roundt the kind
iady's neck, and could only whisper, brok.
emily:
"pcan't thank you'll can't speak,"
II shall want a kiss, too, you know"
said the General. This sort of thing
won't do, Miss Valerie; its putting stun.
blins-blocks in your neighbours way"
don't mind" said she, turning round
70 him with a happy smile.
Don't your Then I am sure I don't.n
said he; and he took her hands and kissed
her. And mind we see you very, very
often, my dearn'
And he took her down to the door, where
Captain Beauregard was waiting for her;
and without stood a spruce dogcart, with
a handsome and very spirited chestnut
horse.
Beauregard lifted the girl to her place.
and mounted beside her; there was a last
basso goodnight" from the door, and sill.
very response from the dogcart, n Off
went the chestnut, ut exactly the pace
and no faSter-his driver chose. Max
beauregard was II flrst-rate whip, and the
horse must be OF a new type that could
master him.