Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-03-11

laid, ''but / hope your niece won't Do dis
appointed Of the ball, for there are rumors
Of war In Egypt, and of otr regiment being
ordesed out. But perhaps II WONT be till
after the til"
It would have been q glad hearing for
Louis, had he been present, that the OBJ.
noxious garrison were likely to leave DON
nington shortly; but he was not at the
Lines that day. He came, however, In
the afternoon of the following day, asking
was standing by the gate, and looked q lit
tie doubtful.
~ don't know. Oh, Louisl Mrs. Fan
shave called yesterday, and she says the
-th may be ordered out to Egypt; there Is
likely to be war,'
The young mans eyes fiashed,bpt he put
his arm about the girl, and said softlyi
"And IL they went, What thens Why
should YOU carer"
why shouldn't I caro-, Louis-ia ono
wayt"
"You meap-yoa would lose the BALI"
'"Partly. Harkl Whats thats'
Approaching hoof-strokes. Valerie drew
herself from her lovers arm, and leaned
over the gate, looking along the lans.
"Ohi' she said. suddenly, in a toms 6t
delight, sit is Captain Beauregardr'
Charters drew back step, and viciouslS
slashed a rose-bush with his stick, scatter.
ing several promising buds; but Valerie
paid no heed to him; she was watching the
approaching horseman. Another moment,
aud she had opened the gate, stepping for
ward a little, and Captain Beauregard sew
her, and raised his hat, bowling low.
Then the bay horse was refined up, and
Louis Charters had n full view Of the rider
tall, slight, every inch n soldier in his
gallant bearing; and strikingly handsome
in feature; nothing OF the puppy about
this man, but all that blending of soldier
and courtier-or, in modern phrase-man
of society-which has a charm for all, but
a special charm for women, The Captains
keen glance went straight over Valerie's
golden head to the young man behind her,
and the swift mental question, "Who il
thati" was not put with absolute indiffer.
ence, nor was it altogether an agreeable
surprise to find Valerie in another fellows
company.
But Valerie was glad to see him-her in.
hocent heart had nothing to hide, and her
shining eyes and smiling lips showed frank
iy her pleasure.
81 could not get away before to-day"
said Beauregard, springing to the ground,
and clasping the girls outstretched hand
In his, "but | heard from Mrs. Fanshawe
yesterday that the drenching had done
you no harm, and now / see for myself"
~ am not made Of plaster, Captain Beau
regard" said the girl, roguishly, recalling
his speech about the orderly; then turning
toward Louis-''Mr. Charteris-Captain
Beauregard!"
Beauregard held out his hand, and the
action and the manner Of it won Louis in
spite Of himself.
81 am glad" he said, ITO have an oppor.
tunity of thanking you, Captain Beaure.
gard, for your kindness to Valerie"
Thanks, Mr.. Charteris," returned tho
other, laughing, "for squaring the circle.'
He hitched Princes bride over the gate
post as hc spoke, and Valerie went and
patted the animals glossy neck caressingly
Louis anne also to admire. Prince was
a noble specimen Of his race.
"And n better friend than most men
would be" said his master, giving the horse
b parting caress as he turned to follow Va
lerie toward the house.
Continued Next Weekly