The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1899-05-27

\ preSeHl, N,eaT.# 4 pfUf111SCd I 70 meet IOlllaS
aud sonleother fellows at the Rng this
evening"
He kissed her gently and went out.
CHAPTER xxIx.-Two LETTERS M 4 TE1iE-
GRAM.
1t is not an easy thing to write n offer
of marriage; at any rate Aston Lawford
did not find it so. And then he had, in nd
dition, the task of making Valerie Herbert
understand clearly, without expressing it
harshly, that the offer would not be re-
newed IL she should think fit to play the
coquette and refuse hink OF course it
would be. Lawford was thoroughly infat-'
uated. Had his love been of n nobler type
he would scarcely have tolerated so long
the girls cavalier way OF treating him; and
this Valerie knew quite well. Where she
made a mistake was in not even crediting
him with as much affection for her as he
really had. She thought her beauty pleas
ed him, and he wanted to have q lovely
woman at the head of his establishment,
and to marry tho belle of the season. And
though she knew her power over the man,
she certainly did not grasp its full extent.
But why did not Aston Lawford see Va
lerie and plead his cause In persona It
must be owned that in the first place
albeit he would not have confessed 1.-THE
was afraid Of the willful beauty. She
might refuse to be brought to bay; treat
his proposal with Dddtnugc; or with some
OF her hundred woman's wiIns place him
at n disadvantage; a letter wa plain black
and white; there could be no mistaking it,
or pretense of doing 50. Next, Mrs. Lang
ley was sure to see the letter before a reply
was returned, and if Valerie WIS inclined
TO play fast and LOOSE her aunt would
prevent it,; for, Notwithstanding ASTON
Lawford's disclaimer of coercion pro-
nounced in Max Beanrcgnrd's hearing, the
ironmaster was by no means above putting
on the thumbscrew il it should be neces-
snry. But that it would be necessary never
for an instant occurred to him. Valerie
would in reality jump ut tile offer, which
indeed she ought to accept ~ doing her
grsnt honor. She had absolutely nodower
but her beauty, and here was a man of
vast wealth and Observation-Disclosures
twice her age, who might, if he chose, have
married a peers Notwithstanding her
out for the distinction of being his wife.
How many letters Mr.. Lawforl tore up
before composing one that satisfied him it
were bootless to enumerate. He was the
whole morning locked up in his study; but
he succeeded at length, and despatched tho
missive by a%servantto Upper Brook Street.
Valerie had just returned with Amy Lin
wool, Hal Dallas, and Lord Westbrook
from the morning ride, when the letter was
put into her hands. She started us she
glanced at the address, but put the letter
into her pocket until "a more convenient
season." Mrs. Langley could not have
seen it, for she had gone to luncheon with
a friend.
Valerie quickly changed her habit, and
then al four sat down to luncheon, and
there was much talking and laughing. If
there was one heavy heart there, there was
no outward sign of it.
"Have you decided yet whose party you
are going to join for Henley, Miss Her
bertg' asked Lord Westbrook. "Only
three days now. Do tell me!''
"Why do you want to know2"
4"Whydo l wantto know? Doesn't every
body? How you do teasel"
Naturally. Well, lam going with Lady
Stonend's people. l sent in my adhesion
last night.'
"Gloriut!"
won't Lawford cut up rough'' said
Dallas, in an undertone to Amy; and Amy
nodded a little vaguely, and glanced I'M
easily at Valerie. Was the girl growing n
perfectly reckless coquettc? Why this UNI
mistakable smut to IL man to whom she
was almost engaged?
Whom are you going with, Mr.. Dallas
she asked.
with Beau and Lady Elinor, and three
or four others. ! wish You were of the
party" added Hal, lowering his tone.
Amy colored, and changed the subject.
Shortly after luncheon Valerie's guests
departed, all having other engagements,
and the girl was alone.
With a sinking at heart she took her way
to the boudoir, and, sitting down in a low
fdutcutl, drew out Lawford's le.Ik~~,