The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1899-08-19
cuAprEn xLyI1.-ruEw WHOLE rRuru.

Valerie paced up and down her room fer
half an hour after the riding-party had de-
parted. She felt rs If the world had dis
solved around her; even her uncle, she
knew, would be veSed, If not angry with
her, for having SO made shipwreck of her
life. But the die was cast-there was no
~helH-none: her immediate need was to
school face and mien to meet the others at
the understandable without %betraying that
she was i'll any trouble. The mask must
still be worn, however bitter the suffering
that it hidl
Perhaps l had better have gone with
them!'' she said. Zone cannot, when
alone. keep from thinking. But l could
not be with him-no, l could noti I must
read-nnything to lessen this mad beating
in my brain, this sickening pain at my
heart--or l shall 20 madv'
She left the ROOM and went down to the
library. She would be safe from intrusion
there; she knew Lady Elinor and Mrs.
everyone else was out.
The great house seemed very silent as
the girl fitted down the broad stairs; but
that was better than merry laughter and
cheerful voices. She passed into the IL
brary, Il room that Beauregard loved, and
which she would have loved for that rea-
son alone, if there had been mont other.
This would be her last visit here, she
said to herself, as she moved slowly round
the room, touching the books tcnderly now
and then. She would see It again often, in
her waking thoughts and in her dreams;-
but never us now.
The burning tenrs that gathered in her
eyes warned her, she took up a book at
random, and went and sat down in q low
chair, laying the book on her knee, and
opening it mechanically. What was it,
A copy of Schilier's "Piccolomini." Va
lerie turned to the fiy-leaf, and saw, in
B~eauregard's free, bold hand, the name,
MAX Eustace Beauregard." She looked
down at that name till 1t became blurred
and dim; then she kissed it reverently, and
began with trembling fingers to turn the
pages. 1t was something to touch what he
had often touched.
All! What was that9 Who was TINT!
The girl started like a guilty thing, hear
ing the door-handle now One of the SER
wants, perhaps, flashed across her as she
looked toward the door, or had Mrs. Lang
ley been speaking to Lady E1inor, and Lady
Elinor-.
But Valerie got no farther than that, for
the door opened. and she saw the tall fig
ure of Max Beauregard.
The girl drew one breath and stopped;
her heart seemed to cease beating. II one
word would have snatched her from the
presence so ineffably dreaded she could
not utter it. She was for q moment para
lyzed.
Beaurcgard closed the door, and came
forward, and MS he did SO Valerie rallleo.
What strength came to her she never
knew; it must have been the sheer terror
of self betrayal, yet her voice did not sound
to her like her own; she looked at him, but
not at his face.
"Col. Baauregardm she said; II thought
you were out with the others!"
NO" he said, pausing. 81 told them l
could not go; but ! Thought then that you
were going. Angela told me aftcrward
that you had stayed ut home"
Something suppressed and constrained
In his voice made Valeric's heart turn sick
with fear; 1t crossed her, too, that he had
heard ner enter the library, and had
sought her. Why did he do this? 1t was
cruel!
Still not daring 10 look ut his face, She
laid her book one chair near, and rose.
Yes she said, trying to speak careless
ly, but hardly succeeding. II was busy
and Il
"Are you going to run away from me, il
that it," interrupted Beauregard, laying {
light touch on her ar;n. Don't do thai
yet, Fairy Queen. heard you enter here
and I came-to say-to say good-byel'
He took her hand in his, folding it close
ly iDrboth his own. looking down on thu
lovely face with such agony in his darl
eyes, that If she Ind seen 1t she must hayt
lost utterly the %self-control that his cling
ing clasp, the pain in his voice, had well
nigh robbed her of.
at is hard" he said, and his lips palei
even as he spoke, ito say goodbye; and l
may be perhaps years before we NEE
againl"
81 suppose it may beH' the girl said, in
mechanical, passionless way; ''or perhaps
never-that would be bestl"
why do you say that, VnIerIe" sait
thu soldier, almost sternly. "Tell me on,
thing: you arc not going togive yourself Il
Aston Lawford9n
Nor she said, suddenly wrenching he
hand from3his hold. s.Ihave not sunk quit
so&low ms thatl',
She made a quick step forward 10 GO
but Rsauregard did not move.