Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-03-25
VALERIE;
Half a Truth.
BY '.TpS


room the first set was just over, and he
paused q moment near the doors, feeling
that he, In his civilian attire, must present
a very homely appearance. He had never
been 10 a military bali before, and the
crowd OF brilliant uniforms, the white OF
bright-colored dresses of the women. the
lights, decorations, and flowers made Q
really gorgeous tout ensemble,
But where was Valerie? His eyes sought
her a~nxiously, and while he sought he
heard her name:
miss Herbert cuts them all out" said a
mans voice near. and Louis, turning quick
ly. saw two young officers OF Hussars.
There wasn't a girl in town this season
to compare with her. She ought to go TO
t~own-she'd be the rage"
"All the fellows are mad to dance with
her" said tho other. Didn't she and
Beau look well together! 1t was worth
while to watch them"
eyes, and wasn't Dolly Chantrell mad
at being cut on b. n debutunte, and mad
with Beau for not paying attention TO her
instead Of that divine Herbert! There she
Is, with Lord Denmore; he's quite sm~ltten!"
Yes, there she was, saunterlng slowly
down the room observed OF all observers"
leaning on Lord Dsnmore's arm. Louis,
too, had heard enough. He made his way,
with flushed cheek and beating heart,
through the crowd 20 Valerie's side; and
suddenly, as he drew near, his eyes fell
on the bouquet the girl carried, and he al
most caught his breath with the fierce pang
of jealousy that shot through him. Not
his iowcrs-not his! whose them"
SO close he was TO Valerie, and she did
not eS him! he touched her lightly, and
she turned with a start.
"Louis.'
Surprise. some pleasure, but something,
too, that was hardly pleasure, and as she
met his look her own sank, and the blood
rushed TO her cheek. She had been wrong,
wrong-she felt il clearly now; though she
could not comprehend the full measure OF
the pain she had inflicted; but this was no
time or place for explanations and apology.
"Have You only just arrived" she added,
rapidly, for the sake of saying something.
THAT is ALL he answered, a little cold.
ly. Are you engaged for the next set,
Valerief"
Yes, the next; but kept the one fol-
lowing for you
Thanks" lie bowed and passed on.
"Your friend seems rufled," remarked
Lord Denmore, with a slightly cynical
smile, aS they moved onward.
Valerie was too generous and truthful to
permit the implication that Louis was TO
blame, although she thought he ought not,
on so public an occasion, to have shown
displeasure.
at was my fault that he is So" she re-
turned, gently, and Lord Denmore bit his
lip, feeling that his remark was hardly,
good FORM yet wondering who this was
whom his lovely companion called Louis"
and who called her "Valerie."
Louis, ut that moment, was greeted by a
voice he was hardly I'm the mood to hear
with pleasure; and yet the mellow intona-
ton, the winning cordially Modified him
I'm spite OF himself.
"Mr. Charteris!-only Just turned upI-
delighted to see your
And there was Max Beauregard, looking
handsome enough, and with that air dis
tilgue which is more striking even than
beauty, to make any lover jealous, holding
out his hand.
Louis brow relaxed, he even smiled as
he gave his own hnd in reply.
let me introduce you to some OF our
fellows" added Bsllregard-"and you'll
want Il partner. suppose you don't know
many people here Dallas touching one
of a group Of young men standing near,
''let me introduce you to Mr.. Charteris;-
my old friend, Lieutenant Dallas. Major
Travers-Mr. Charters. Travers, pray
present Mr.. Charters to your sister, see
her yonder; | must go in search of my part
ner.'
Easily found, my boyH' said the merry
Major; follow the crowd! Lucky Dogv'
he added to Charters, rs he led the new
arrival to where u very pretty girl sat be-
side an elderly lady. "Have you seen the
bGllC-Miss HERBERT
Charters laughed.
IL have known her the best part OF my
life" he said, drily.
'Indecd!' Major Travers looked al
Charters with a new interest, and whis'
tied, metaphorically. mo wonder you
look glum!" was his mental comment,
you're rather heavily handicapped
IL must compliment you," he could not
resist saying, somewhat m~aliciously, cit is
a clean walk over. Miss Herbert has car
,ricd off the Blue Ribbon"
But as Louis made no reply to this speech
Major Travers forebOre. 1t ca rather q
hard case, if Charters was ''sweet on
the beauty to have to do the running
against our fellows, " and especially Beau,
Meanwhile, Captain Beauregard led out
Valerie, wondering, for his keen glance
noticed a change in the young face, what
had happened to trouble her, and he could
not help connecting the change with Louis,
Surely there was nothing between these
two-he but a youth, she u mere child,
Beauregard set his teeth as he passed his
arm around the girls slender form,
Child she might be to him more than to
Louis, for he was thirteen years her seniors
but she was n perilously witching child.
But now they were in the dance, step to
step, in perfect rhythm; Valerie had little
enough Of experience; but she did not be-
lieve anyone could dance rs Captain Beau
regard did; and he said to her, smiling:
II knew you came from FairyfNnd. Only
fairies In their dances under the enchanted
oak could foot il as you do"
She looked up, her great clear eyes full
OF laughter.
No" she said, "I have only danced at q
few child's parties; but you wouM make
anyone dance, Captain Beauregard."
Now y0u make pretty speeches, Fairy
Queen. | wish you would admit me to
your moonlight revels."
"Oh! mortals never are admitted-are
they" said she.
II believe not; but / am begging you to
make an exception in my favor"
II will call n council OF war among the
fairies, and hear what they say" replied
Valerie, gravely.
They had paused to rest.
"And if voices are equally divided-you
will give the casting vote for me?" said
Max B~eauregard.
II aul not sure!'
81 am he said, softly, as he put his arm
round her again. Are you ready"
Eyes"
Her heart was beating fast. She was