The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1899-06-03
butt could not marry him. would He
sooner. People will call me false-a jilt-

sooner! People W1llScAll me false-A jill
then they must. I know / told You that
e loved tue world, and couldn't marry
Louis because he was potr;'' it was the Old
terror of being charged with another love
that made her say this-.sbutI didn't know
what itwould be to marry Aston Lawfora."
Mrs. Langley, sitting In an armchair OPP
posite, leaned her elbow on tho arm, shad-
ing her face with her hand; and even when
Valerie ceased speaking, the listener did
not move.
The girl rose n stood before her aunt.
clasping her little hands together, and
though she spoke falteringly, there was
not a line of irresolution in her face. Fra
gile STRIPPING though she was, her will was
set like a wise; and the nan or who
hoped to make her yield her ground would
have been blind indeed.
"Aunt Constance" she said, 81 know
you will think mo ungrateful, and, you
thoughts it would be a great thing for me
to be Aston Lawfora's wife; but cannot
obey you in this-whateverhn happens. lean
90 back again to the country-to uncle
Will's.' Z
And marry Louis Charteriss" asked
Mrs. Langley. quietly, without looking up.
Valerie's lips opened for a quick mo, no
not tlatl'' But in the instant shc check
ed herself, for the thought flashed through
her brain like lightning: "She thinks
love him. If she discovers | do not, She
will say You love someone else?'n
She was silent.
Then Mrs. Langley dropped her band
and rose.
LET us say no more about it to- night,
Valerie" she said. Tomorrow, perhaps,
or later, I may speak to you. But of this
l can assure you'll shall notsend you back
into the country. Now, good-night.n
She kissed the girl ntfectionatcly, and
Valerie went up to her room with n feeling
of bewilderment.
what could it mean?" she asked her
self. Mrs. Langley had promised not to
be angry with her tonight; but She did not
seem even mach displeased, and she had
so set her heart on this marriage. docs
she imagine" Valerie thought, that Twill
yields''
But for q time her brain felt dizzy and
| confused, and she could not think distinct
ly. She was, however, terribly excited,
and felt that sleep would be an impossi-
bility. So when Fanchon left her, she
wrapped u dressing-gown about her, and
sat down, leaning her %throbbing temples
on her hands.
Her thoughts were growing clearer now,
more defined. III the quiet of the night
they Travelled to Abbot's Leigh, and saw
the death-chamber with its tall tapers, and
the soldier, stern Ii calm, in his silent
watch by the dead. Long time they dwelt
there, and then they came buck to the ques.
ton that had pcrplexed her.
Had the shock of the terrible news from
Abbot's Leigh softened Constance Lang
ley's heart-for n time at least? But that
connection of ideas was the flash of revel-
alton. The news from Abbot's Leigh,
Gernld's death made Max owner of all!
With the smothered cry of a wounded
creature the girl fell on her knees, hiding
her face from the light in shame and an
guish.
Was this it?-that Aston I4awford was
to be cast aside for Max B~eaaregard?
The words. not understood at the time,
came back to Valerie. and beat upon her
brain with pitiless clearness:
And Max Beauregard is lord of Abbot's
Leigh"
Yes. even in that dread moment. Con-
stance Langley, almost in the presence OF
death, thought OF the gain of that death,
and grasped the gold that fell from the stiff
cning fingers.
And he will think that /, too, schcmed
y wi" 'titn, il the very hour that | know
he had wealth.. Oh, Heaven! he will think
even this of mew Valerie moaned, the
burning tears forcing themselves through
her fingers. "Oh! how can ! bear it2 what
shall ] do? If 1 could only die! He will
know that I refused Aston Lawford on the
very day--in the very hour-I knew his
\ hynt 1nr ftalt 10 IVbpt n1cn ANY, hn $If,,ly INT
that l am, the base, wretched schemer l
seem to beY Why should he believe better
of me after what he knows already? Oh
the shame burns into m soul-that she
should want me to win him after all that
has passe,i-to win him, of all men on
earth!',
What could she seem, to Max Beaure.
CARDS high sense of honor, better than tie
money? Only the Mayfair market is Ii,
censed By custom. and to the other market
custom gives no license, and no open re-
cognition.
~ wonder" the girl whispered to her
self, drearily, when, hours later, she lay
too utterly exhausted by the tempest oil
passion that had shaken her, to even feel
strongly, II wonder if he will ever know
that ! was true and faithful, and loved
him from the first, just because l loved
him? Oh! it would have been bettcr-far
far better-if l had never known him!'
CHAPTER XXX1.-FOR HIGHER QUARRY.
The sudden death of Gerald Beaurcgarf
WINS, naturally, the theme of conversation
III West-end clubs aud drawing-rooms TIL.
following day; but he, personally, scarcely
left Il gap in society; he was not often j,
London, and when he was it was only fDl
a short time. and he went out very little
his tastes We're for the country, nor had liz
the brilliant qualities which make u MAJ
generally popular in London circles.
The event which so abruptly cut off Ger
Md from among the Twin, was felt rathe,
! in its relation to the weil-known and fay
, orite younger brother than us n loss.
Already ambitious ma:rons and inaidcn
began to speculate on the chances Of secur
ing Colonel Beanregard, whose laurel
were now so richly gilded. AT the clubs
Z and among army men generally, a conven
), tlonal sigh for poor Gerald Beauregard'
: was supplemented by a more or less openl
+ expressed satisfaction that the family hon
| ors had come to Beau"
> "And ] suppose now,' said Frank TRAY
, ers, in the morning room of the Rag, lad.
> Angela Musgraye will be straightforward
Lady Elinor was always afraid of Bea,
before, and kept her sister omt of the way
: but honors change other things as well a
! munners!'
t ''And Mrs. Langley" added another OF
t flccr, shell surely throw Lawforl over
/, board, and enter Valerie Herbert for tn
: Benuregard ~stalscs!''
l "Ratlier late in the day for tlnt!' sal
Travers, obviously, "and Beams inst tn
: man to be utterly Disguised with such ope
tactics"
Still, I'd back q matchmaker like Mrs
Langley for anything. Beau's far an
] away the best match of the season nov
and the girl is not likely to object TO tn
e change OF owners. The girls are all inloy
9 with him as it is; and pretty Mrs. Dude
1 almost made him an offer of herself mi
F.. y,,,t,,, tI,g,tsnt,,J y,npyls ~ ynori'iL -. =