The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1899-07-22

CHAPTER XLII.-A PRECIOUS BURDEN.
Valerie lookedu up at Colonel Beauregard,
who began at once tearing the handker-
chief he held into broad strips.
He answered her questioning look, smil-
ing.
"Your sprain must be bound up, Fairy
Queen,'' he said, 'or it will swell.n
T. And he took out his W handkerchief,
and treated it rs he had treated Lord West
brooks, turning and walking away a few
yards.
Valerie quickly. and with u heightened
color, pulled off her shoe and stocking, and
looked at her ankle; it seemed scarcely
swelled, but the pain it gave her when she
moved warned her that walking was out
Of the question, or even standing.
Would Colonel Beauregard want to BAN
dage the sprain up HIMSELF Web, she did
not much mind. Soldiers were like doc
tors, sometimes!
But her heart beat a good denl faster, for
all that, when he turned and came up to
her again.
Il wonder If you could do the bandaglng
yourselffn he said. Il am afraid not as
we'll as l should. am a good doctor at q
pinch, you know!"
"Are your"
She smiled, and thought he would be a
gem OF a doctor, wonderfully gentle OF
touch, yet so strong and firm.
"Ay! I have bound up manyaworse hurt
than thisl"
He did not wait for any further assent
than she had given to his implied question,
but knclt down and looked ut her pretty
foot and ankle.
1T is here that it hurts you, isn't itsn he
said, lightly touching the place with his
cool fingers.
"Yes-but you did not hurt!"
Il would be very sorry to do that, Fairy;
but ! shall hurt you a little now; / know
you will bear it-like u soldiers daughter.
1t isn't a very bad sprain-scarcely a sprain
ut all! You won't be a prisoner long. .
"Oh! l am so glad!' with a long drawn
sigh.
How will tho moonlight revcls fare
without you, eh?" said he, sousing the
bandages in the jug, and proceeding 10
bind up the sprain IN the most business.
like manner, as If he were a doctor and she
a patient; and deftly, too, he did it, most
tenderly, yet firmly; the tightening OF the
bandages hurt her a little, but she did no
vince or utter a sound.
''The fairies will have to do without me!'
she said, graYely. "I3ut Colonel Beuure-
gard, my shoe won't come on"
II don't think it will. Is Il shoe u sine
qua nons-in this particular case I meun.''
Mo! All! that is beautiful! 1t does
hurt-but not much.n
Dear chilir, his voice shook a little: II
Is hard enough for II strong man to give
any tender, winsome creature pain, but
when it Is u creature SO passing fair, 2 and
whom he loves with all the strength OF his
soul, It is cruel suffering indeed-"but 1t
will not be for long, Valerie; only the swell
ing must be kept down.
"Oh! ! don't mind,n she snid, with a
! brave, bright smile, "and am so grateful
to you for your Kindness
GIVE me your handkerchlef," said he,
land don't talk nonsense. You wai.t Q
SHOE"
Valerie gave him the pretty bit OF scent.
ed cambria and lace that he asked for.
"a very dainty Shoe" Max said, longing
to kiss the triie. aScel"
In a minute her foot was tied up In the
handkerchief.
She burst ont laughing.
''The latest in shoes!o she said.
'The sweetest aud prettiest!" was on the
soldicr's lips, but he kept it back, and said
instead:
Only fit for carriage wear, I n mafraid."
He put her shoe in his pocket (she Ind
already stuffed her stocking into her OWN,
and rose.
Now, Fairy Queen" he added, shall
we go down to meet the c%nrfiages"
She held up her hand to him to help her
to rise, but he shook his head, smiling.
DO You think you can walk down the
hillside, Valerie2"
II can try must."
You can't put your foot to the ground,
my child. You must let me carry you
down.
All! no-no!" she shrank back %instinc-
lively, yet distressed even more on his nc
count. "It's all very we'll to call me fcath-
er-weight, but | must weigh something,
and for You to carry me all that distance!
Let me stand and see IL ! can walk"
IF you like; but I see you know little
enough about sprains. Come! I wish /
! hnd never q heavier burden to bear than