Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-07-29

Half a Truth.
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&AtC DOStlL6Ss
1.-THE carriage will soon be here, I hope"
he said, and then Mrs Dudley asked how
the accident had happened.
Valerie explained.
~ was walking quickly" she said, land
my foot slipped on a tree-root. The pain
made me faint at first, and 1 never tainted
in my life before. 1 must have stepped
carelessly to slip. / wasn't looking where
! went"
She knew why, but did not think it ne
cessary to add this information.
"Poor grill And did you bind up the
sprain yourselff" asked Mrs. Dudley.
mo. Colonel Beauregard did that"
Mrs. Dudley smiled.
Colonel Beauregard Is a capital sur
geon;" she said; but In her heart she was
not Sest pleased ut the whole episode.
If she had seen all that p~assed-seen
Max B~eauregard's face as he bent over the
senseless girl in his arms-seen the kisses
he pressed on the white brow-she would
have resigned all hope of winning the
handsome soldier, whom, whilo he was yet
h younger son, she had given to understand
he had only to ask to receive. Lilias bud.
ley was In many respects a very worldly
woman; but all that was best IN her was
given to Max Beauregard, and If she could
not have faced poverty with him, she would
be more than content TO endow him with
her wealth. She was rich enough, she had
sometimes said, to consult her heart this
time. Rumor had it that her first marriage
had been for money.
AS il was, though still c%herishing some
hope-widows do not readily give up their
quarry-Mrs. Dudley felt decidedly uneasy
and began TO fear that Valerie's wonder.
ful beauty was beguiling Colonel Beaure.
gard into forgetting that the girl was a
firt and n mercenary jilt, who had thrown
over a poor lover for a millionaire; and the
millionaire, In his turn, for u landlord; and
yet Mrs. Dudley was obliged to admit Va
lerie took no pains to win her hosts affec-
ton.
Ere long the carriage was seen approach
ing, and in a few minytes it drew up, and
Lord Wcstbrook sprang out, and hurried
up to the group on the hillside.
81 have been rs quick as | could, " he said.
SLOW are you now, Miss Herbert2"
In some pain, but not much," she said,
smiling. "Thank you again for all you
have done; and hurrying through the heat,
to,"
Never mind that; you know l don't
want any thanks. | have done nothing"
IL don't agree with you, you see" said
Valerie, smiling.
"A willfu' woman maun haze her way,
Westbrook," said Beauregard, rs he stoop
ed to lift Valerie into the carriage.
Valerie thought OF Zoe and the chess.
game, and 1t was in her heart Nat a will.
full man sometimes gained the victory
over a willful woman; but she held her
peace,
Colonel Beauregard was placing her on
the back seat Of the carriage, but she beg.
ged him to put her the other side.
at won't matter to me-" she said, "and
Mrs. Dudley must not sit backing the
horses"
But Lilias protested that she could do so,
and Valerie ought TO have the place where
she could least feel the jolting; so Max set
tied his charge comfortably, and put 0
shawl over her feet and n light wrap round
her shoulders. Then he handed in Mrs
Dudley, told Westbrook to sit beside her,
and himself mounted the box beside the
coacaman, telling tho latter not to drive
fast; and so at length Abbot's Leigh was
reached, and Colonel Beauregard carried
Valerie straight up to her dressing-room,
accompanied by Lady Elinor, who asked
anxiously II 1t was necessary to send for o
surgeon; but Max laughed at this idea.
She need only keepit bound up for a few
days." he said, "snd have linen soaked in
vinegar round it, and it will SCOT be well
But l hope" be added, as he placed the
girl on asofa, chat you will join us in the
drawing-room."
Hadn't better stay up here" she said
"for this evening"
"You will do as you prefer" observed
Lady Elinor, interposing; but If you like
to have tea and dinner here, you could
come into the drawing-room later, couldn't
your"
YES" said Valerie, "that would be bet
ter; and between the banisters and Fanchor
/ can get down beautifully"
Max smiled.