Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-03-04

OR,
Half a Truth.
BY .arHE

tney instantly drooped), and smiled.
IF a good drenching would hurt me- he
said, II shouldn't be here to take care of
you; and as for the other, don't you sup
pose it's a great pleasure TO me to be able
20 help your
You are very good to find It a pleasure.n
"Am II Keep the cloak we'll round you,
and hide your eyes from the lightning.
Are you frightenedI"
mo, not a bit, now"
but you were frightened. poor childp"
"Ycs, l was frightened" said Valerie,
drawing n quick breath; cit is so awesome
to be alone in n Thunderstorm"
The soldier ~shuddered, and instinctively
frightened his clasp of the fragile form at
the thought of what might have happened
to this delicate young creature, left to
struggle alone through the pitiless storm.
II might never AVE reached bennington
but for YOU said the girl, gratefully, feel.
ing the shudder, the closer clasp, and di.
vining the mans thought.
Don't talk of it." he said, hastily, n lit.
tie huskily, A minute later, 1--WE are not
far now, thank Heavenl for your sake"
"And yours, too" said Valerie, in perfect
good faith.
Hist AS II he would not rather the two
miles had been ten, TO ride on with this
winsome fairy In his arms, clinging TO him,
the golden head resting against him, the
exquisite face close to his ownl He would
be less than man, and certainly less than
soldier, who felt otherwise. No; for the
sake-of hers only, he was glad they were
nearing the town; for himself, he grudged
every yard of ground.
ID you live in Donningtony" he asked,
not answering the girls last remark.
mo, | live at Welford-nearly four miles
behind us, l was walking to bennington
when the storm came on"
where, then, shall | set YOU DOWN
Don't start" he added, laughing, I'VE will
dismount before we actually enter tie
town"
Valerie laughed, too,
"Oh. of course" she said, 'but II have
no friends in bennington. / must take
shelter In a shop until the storm is over.n
"Whatl wet rs you ares lmpossiblel ]
will take You to our Generals wife, Mrs.
F~anshawe, she will be in her element, tax.
ing care OF a storm-drcnched young lady"
"Oh, please no-you must not, iRdccdw
cried Valerie. 81 am quite a stranger to
her. Oh, you must not.''
But | must" said he, smiling at her
distress, which was infinitely witching.
DO you imagine | could put you inside
some shop and leave you there all drenched
for cold and fever to soak into your Come
worse TO worse, the wife of one Of my men
should look after You; but | shall take you
TO Mrs. Fanshawe. She is friend of mine.
] am afraid there is nothing for you but
the soldiers virtue of obedience"
* ought to nave it by Inheritance" said
Valerie, smiling.
How, Are you a soldiers daughters"
asked the other, with an eagerness that
the girl might have felt as flattering had
she been more Of a coquette.
"Yes,"sh said, proudly, coloring n little.
II am Major Herbert's daughter"
Herbert! Edmund Herbert?''
The girls eyes flashed.
Eyes: did you know him~ she asked,
quickly.
Not personally; but every soldier knows
his name, and honsrs it." What a look
the words won him from those beautiful
gray eyes! it made his heart beat faster.
why" he said, chow could YOU be so
afraid of going to Mrs. FanshaweH You
have a claim on heron any soldier or
soldiers wife"
Would she feel like that" asked Va.
lerie, wistfully.
"Ay, she does feel So"
AS he spoke he drew rein.
I'VE are almost in the town, now" he
aid 'The Generals house is not far from
here"
He lifted Valerie TO the ground, and tlten
~dismounted, slipped his horses bride over
his arm, and they walked on briskly into
the now deserted High Street.
my people will be SO anxious" said Va.
lerie, "but it cannot be helped"
81 will send an orderly over with n mes
sage, If you will give me your address,"
I'm this storm? Oh! no-no."
He laughed.
Soldiers are not made of plaster, you
know" he said, quizzically.
Yes, do know, but anyhow / will wait
a little; the storm may give over, and then
/ can return home myself"
II will drive you home when you are able
to go, if you will let me-"
u could not be so encroachingl Don't
ask me that, please"
"Encroaching!' repeated the other, bit
ing his lip under his moustache. Whatan
~ pSpNNliilNh " humanity lDlS 0lTl
was! IF there Is any encroachment, it is
on my side, for asking the favor"
A slight wave of color crossed the girls
cheek, 1t just dawned upon her that there
was-from his point of view-no polite fc-
ton involved in her companions last
words; but that was all the more reason
for yielding the point.
You have been too kind already" she
said, simply; "but | suppose you must
have your way; and thank you very, very
much"
THANK you, Miss Herbert. Here we
are"
He turned up a street of private houses,
and paused before the door OF a large red
brick house at the corner.
Valerie glanced up nervously at the ar
lay of windows as her cavalier rang the
bell, sounding a peal that must have re-
sounded from cellar to garnet.
There were quick steps within, and the
door was opened by a man-servant, who
started and stared in wonderment.
Captain Beauregardr' he exclaimed.
The captain drew Valerie into the hall.
run for Mrs. Fanshawe, Robert" he
said. "This young lady must be seen to al
once. am in no plight for a drawing
room. Are you chilledY" he added, bend.
Ing down to Valerie as the servant vanish
ed; her checks were glowing, her eyes
shining.
"No," she said, mot in the least"
That's right. All! here she comesp'
Valerie shrank back a little, as a stout,
elderly lady, with a most pleasant face,
full of concern, appeared, quickly descend
Ing the broad stairs; but Captain Beaure-
gard exclaimed, laughing:
Mrs. Fanshawe, l have brought you a
Storm-beaten fairy to take care Of"
"My dear Max said she, ginning the
ball, and looking in wonder and Che could
see) great admiration at Valerie, what
has hannened2 Nv nnnr child Won mnst