The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1899-05-20
But Valerie had not stirred, though she

39J RHH
Numbers sprana APP, someone shouting
"Firc!m'
Went II little white 10 see the people SPRING
up, and rear the cries of fear.
''There will be a panic!'' was all she said
under her breath.
Max Beauregard bent down to her, and
laid his hand on hers.
Valerie" he said. in a low, quiet tone,
"you IRE not afraid2''
The girl held her breath. Every nerve
thrilled under the strong, close clasp; the
sound of her name, passing his lips for the
first time, rang above the shouts and
screams of the people.
She could not, dared not, look at him;
she could not for u momen speak, and
when she could it was only awhisper-only
four words:
NO" she said; mot the leastv'
Afraid, with him by her side! Afraid,
when his hand held hers. If flames had
enwrapped the whole building she could
have known no fear-for herself!
And in his soft, clear voice there was the
old indulgent tenderness; in her possible
peril she was once more to him the child
he had saved from the storm, whose arms
had clasped his neck, whose pure heart had
known no guile. 1t was no more than this,
she knew no more than the strong mans
tenderness for the fragile girl; but, even
80, II was infinitely precious-it was the
cup of water to the thirst-maddened, the
crust of bread t. the starving!
'Yon are a brave child" he said, in the
same tone-"n true soldiers daughter"
Oil if he had but followed the wild i'm
pulse that almost mastered even the iron
restraint he had put upon himself; il he
had only spoken the words that quisefcd
on his lips, only compelled her eyes to meet
the love that glowed i'll hisl 1t was II SUI
preme moment; but the mans pride, the
girls terror of self-bctrayal flung it away.
1t was a gossamer web that hung between
them, but to each it scented $ stone wall.
And in a few minutes all danger was
past. The people in the stalls succeeded
in preventing a stampede from the pit; and
the stage-manager, rushing to the front,
proclaimed that the fire was very slight,
and had been subdued, and, indeed, the
light behind the curtain quickly diminish
ed, and, even while the stage-manager
spoke, died down altogether. Many who
had hurried to the doors returned to their
seats, half-ashamed of their terror, and
others, who had been standing, sat down
again.
"a causeless panic!'' said Hal Dallas.
who had had some difficulty in keeping
Lady Elinor quiet. by Jove, Miss Her
bert, you arc braveH.'
Max Beauregard had released her hand
the instant it was perfectly clear there was
no peril. She turned to Dallas with ahalf.
laugh.
How braves!" she said. "I was not
frightened"
II was-horriblyl' exclaimed Lady Ell.
nor, still a good deal agitated. ~ can't
think how You can be so cool, Valerie,
You didn't seem to mind a bit"
"Shc is a soldier, Nellie,n said Colonel
Beauregard, "and so not afraid of fire.u
How the girls heart throbbed at these
words OF praise from him; q second time
he had commended her bravery, and vet ia
her 1t seemes there was nothing to praise.
she had never been less conscious of fear.
But | am not a soldier,'' said Lady Eli
nor, land l don't feel fit for much moret To-
night. | would rather return home at
once-'
you'll do nothing of the sort, Nellie"
said Bcauregard, decidedly. II am sure
Miss Herbert wants to see the play out"
But don't let me stand in the way ii
Lady Elinor wishes to go,'' snid Valerie,
quickly.
But Lady Elinor doesn't" said he. cat
ANY rate, | don't mean her to go. You are
under my charge, you know, Nellie" he
addeo. to her, laughing, ''and you IRE 60
ing to remain"
II suppose | must, you tyrannical fellow,
but shan'C enjoy the play a bit. Is it
really all oyers And, Max, if | return
home, there is ny need for Valerie to go,
too, she can rcmaiE-"
But you would want me to take care of
you, Lady Elinor," said the gil, hastily,
speaking lnughingly, but in terror at the
possibility Of being left alone with Max
Beauregard.
Nonsense, Nellie!w said her b%rother-in.
law, quite impatiently; dent imagine
yourself frightened. Valerie-Miss Her
bert-will remain, and SO will you. You
can't turn coward when even the pit and
gallery are keeping their places"
Very well" said she, fluttering her fan
a good deal. Valerie, my dear, you see
ME a martyr toa soldiers will. Max al.
ways makes me do what he likes
You seem to get on very well under the
tyranny, Lady Elinor." observed Dallas,
smiling.
because she requires it," said Beaura.
gard. "Don'tyou think So, Miss Herbertrn
How she hated that sNfiss Herbert!' and
If she had regarded the man rs a friend
only, she would have reminded him that,
having already omitted it, he would please
her best by doing so in future; but she was
tongue-tied.
Lady Elinor came unexpectedly to the
rescue, interposing before Valerie could
reply:
For %shnnte, Max, trying to get Valerie
on your side! And l am sure She doesn't
want you to Call her Miss Herbert any
longer. Do you, Valeries"
a light color crossed the mans bronzed
face, his dark eyes flushed. He answered,
quickly:
You take Miss Herbert Mt q disadvant-
age, Nellie!"
"Ah, but" said Valerie, in a low tone:
she HAD colared a little. too. but laughed
as she spoke, to hide deep feeling-'Iw would
much rather yon dropped my l
hate formalities, You know"
And lam the last man to hold by Them"
he answered, in the same manner; '.but, of
course, in these things, the lady must be
the nrbiter."
1t might seem n small thing, and yet 1t
was much to both Of them, this breaking
down Of u barrier which seemed to ignore
friendship. 1t was generous, too, in Max,
Valerie thought, with swelling heart
most generous, not to remino her, by even
the infection of q tone. that she had so