The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1899-08-05
BY THO DUCHESS"
CHATTER xLry.-rooL LATE.

Poilteu! ! nave Gone everything for you,
and you have repaid me by caprices; you
have earned the name Of a jilt; and for
what? When yolu leave here it will be said
OF You that you threw over Aston Lawford
for Max Beanregard. and that Max Beau
regards pride was proof ngainst even Your
Charms. VIII yon care to face society with
such q repntc as that You, who carried
all before yoG, n failure after nll! And
here pointing to the torn fragments of
the letter on the floor, where there is tri.
nlnph-n lover scorncd kneeling again at
FOUR feet-yCu trample on it-spurn him n
second time. You are making shtpwreck
Of your life, Valerie; I warn you before it
Is too late to retrieve the past. Think also
Of mel have n right to ask this-a right
TO ask why | should be so disappointed In
one for whom l have tried to do my best
Of whoml was justified in hoping somuch."
After the first words of this singular
manifesto, If so 1t might be called, Valerie
had turned her eyes from her aunt's face,
and sat gazing steadily into space: but lier
lace never altered once-not even when
Mrs. Langley spoke of Max Beauregard
personally; no color even for q second
changed the livid pallor that spread even
to her lips; her teeth were set, her brow,
every feature, might have been hewn in
marble. she never moved, only her bosom
rose and fell with the slow, laborcd pulsa-
lion of her breathing, and her eyes glowed
With ndeep inward tlre-the fire thatburns
like living agony in heart and soul.
Sc she sat for full u minute after her
aunt had ceased speaking; and Mrs. Lang
ley, p%erplexed, almost frightened by the
girls aspect, yet knew not what to say or
DO. How could her nature compass Va
~lerie's.
if'hen, without turning round or moving
so much as her hand, Valerie said, slowly,
quietly:
81 understand you ~clearly-quite clear
ly. will answer you on Friday morn
ing"
"valericr exclaimed Mrs. Langley. "1f
l have"
Valerie lifted her hand.
81 said | would answer you on Friday
morning, aunt Constance. Leave me alone
now, please"
Mrs. Langley turned mechanically to-
ward the door. Had her threat-it amount
ed to mistaken effect? Was Valerie
about to reconsider her position? What
ever was in the girls mind her aunt felt
that a word more now might be danger
us. INV oihipAy DoNCl LiCT jGdu III tE-
quiescence an left the room.
Then, with still thai set, rigid look on
her face, Valerie rose, went to her daven-
port, and sitting down, wrote, with I'M
shaking hand, a letter. It's last words
were, please do not write to aunt Con-
lance | aSk You this as n special favor.n
The envelope was addressed to civilian
Herbert, Esq, The Cottage, Wexford,
shire"
Valerie rang the bell, and when Fanchon
appeared, her mistress gave her the letter,
saying:
"lsanchon. post this letter, please, Mt
once, with you own hand. I can trust
you. Let nc one see it."
"B&cn, m~ddemoiselle. Will mademoi-
selle now descend2"
yes
Fanchon was little, and Valerie was tall,
SO the girl leaned on the maids shoulder,
and they went down to the d~rawing-roon;
but as they were halfway down stairs the
door of the billiard-room (Which was near
the drawing-room) opened, and Colonel
Beauregard appeared.
ALLOW me-" he said, springing up to
Valerie's side and taking her from Fanch-
on. why, Valerie, you are getting or
fnmously! 4 was just coming to see if you
were in the drawing-room, and would care
to finish Il game"
81 should like to very much" the Rirl
answered.
"Honor bright?"
Honor brigat."
"Shnll l wheel the couch near the win
dow" said Max, when he had placed his
young charge on it, and carefully and skill.
fully arranged the cushions behind her.
''Please.n
So the couch was wheeled near the open
window, and the table brought. and the
men set; but all this time Benuregard Ind
not failed to notice that something had
greatly upset Valerie. She had learned TIC
wear her mask we'll; but Max had very
keen perceptions, and love sometimes
brightens even dull perceptions.
~ hope" he said, II am not imposing or
your g~eod-naturc. You must not let M
do TINT, Valerie"
"Younre not, indeed. 1 should have tt
do something. You know; besides, / want
to finish this game"
But there would be other opportuni
ties"
"rhere might not be-"
Max drew in his breath silently.
you must leave on Saturday, theni" h,
said. after a panse.
1t was folly to prolong his pain, and ye
the words fell from his lips, us itwere, IN.
hidden.
Yes said Valerie, quietly, looking at
Che board as If studying the positions. ave
have to go on to Lord MortCn's."
And how long do you stay there?"
It'll Thursday; then the Collingwood's
until the following Friday"
1t was B~eauregard's move. He made il
in silence md ut random. Valerie was
thinking how differently would next Sat
urday evening be passed by her than my
thing her companion supposed. There
was to be u ball, too, on the Monday even
ing, and II new ball-dress had been ordered
from London, but Valerie wonld not veal
1t. She did not feel now as II she should
ever wish to wear n ball-ircss again.
And after the Collfngwoods?" asked
Beauregard presently.
"Oh," she answered, carelessly, 81 dom
know whit aunt Constance's plans are.''
Max glanced mt her keenly, and thought
of Aston Lawford's letter. Valerie hnt
read twas debating whether she should
accept the offer it made, or maybe intend.
ed to accept it. 1t was this TINT troubled
her--this TINT made her ignorant of the
future beyond a week or two; or If not ig
norant, reticent. The soldier set his teeth.
She made OF marriage u mere game Of
shattlcccck, let love say what it would.
II Es-A1ax Beaurcgard-would not low.
,er his eolors to her, she would not wear
the willow. Why should shep
The game went IN, Max gaining surely
on his opponent, till by-and-by she glanced
up.
NO use. going on" she said. 81 may as
well resign. The game is yours"
Il think it Is" But he said 1t coldly.
Valerie lpoked-at him again. covortly this
TING. md With sudden, impetuous move.
meiit, swept up the game. There was nc
need for that" said Beauregard. coolly,
stsince you had resigned"
Valerie leaned bark on her crshfona :