Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-07-22
"My ownln he whispered, "for these few

moments at least. IN
my arms-resting on my heart-my life
my darling-one kiss!"
But even as he stopped his lips to the
mute. unconscious lips that could give
neither consent nor denial, the flush OF
shame swept over his cheek; senseless,
helpless, his darling was at his mercy, and
so doubly shielded by his honor: and honor,
even in the supreme moment of tempta-
ton, was stronger than passion.
He paused.
Heaven forgive mel" he muttered. 81
dare notl But this-this is no wrong!"
Not her mouth, but her white brow his
trembling lips pressed with one kissY-nay,
again and again-with an anguish of love
In every kiss that must surely have pierced
to her Utmost being, and started the SUM
boring forces into vivid life; but there was
no change in the beautiful face, the heart
pressed 30 closely against his own gave no
answer to the passionate throbs that wooed
it as tongue could never WOO.
Tenderly Max Beauregard lifted the girl
In his arms, and bore her to- where the
ground was clothed with moss, there he
laid her down, and, kneeling beside her,
raised her head on his arm.
AS he did so he saw a faint color steal
into her cheek; he laid his free hand on her
heart; it beat more strongly. Tenderly he
put back the clustering curls from her fore
head, and there was a quick contraction Of
her brow, a deepening color in her soft
check, that warned him, and he moved his
hand; she had felt the touch, and shrank
from it.
Did she-he asked the question of him
self with a strange, thrill, half hope, half
dread, devine it, even in her half-con-
scious state, for his, or mistake it for some
otheri
"Valeriel'' he said, very softly.
The girl stirred n little, and tried TO move
her hand; then quick spasri of pain passed
over her face, her lips parted with u half
moan; she opened her ~eyes-those wistful,
pathetic eyes-and looked straight up into
his, with clear and instant recognition.
Colonel Beauregardp' she said, family,
as one not asking a question, but answer
ing her own thought. She had, then, felt
and known his touch! But he looked and
spoke only with deepest tenderness and
loving sympathy.
you, slipped, and must have sprained
your ankle, my child. Are you in much
painP"
"Not-very-much. Yes; ! know now
Oh, how foolish Of me TO faint!'
She had closed her eyes, with a look Of
pain that belied her words; but almost d.
raise herself from her companions arm.
He lifted her into a sitting posture, but
still kept his arm lightly about her.
you must not try TO stand YET" he said.
'Poor childl you do bear it bravely. |
have sent Westbrook to a cottage near for
some water; he will be here directly, Tell
me which foot it is, Valerie?"
1.-THE left. Obi / am so sorry; it has
spoilt the walk How stupid in me to
stumbled"
Don't make yourself unhappy about
what was no ones fault, dear child" said
Beauregard, kindly; what it cost him to
crush back all sign Of the emotions that
burned within him, he only knew; "the
question now is TO relieve your pain and
get you home"
II am giving so much troublew Valerie
sighed heavily. "But l don't think l can
walk"
81 don't think so, either; but it can be
managed. All! here is Westbrookl'
He came up, painting from his haste and
the heat, with a large jug Of water, and a
glass. Valerie smiled up at him, and held
out her hand.
Don't look unhappy about me-" she
said; ut was only the sharp pain made me
faint. Thank you 80 much for all the
trouble you have taken for mel"
There's no such thing as trouble for
YOU" said the young nan, hrskly. ARE
you in paini'
"a little-not much"
Her eyes were full Of tear not for the
pain. She took the glass OF \ 1ter from his
hand and drank eagerly; IN WestbrooA
said to Beauregard:
II met Mrs. Dudley at the foot of the
hill; but l told her there was no need tC
come up; there was nothing she could do
Except make a fuss-no, Now, West
brook, will you go back to the Leigh, an6
bring an open c~arriage-a barouche is bes
back to the foot of the hill, and leave MI
your handkerchief; | want it, as well as m!
own, for bandages,"