Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-05-06

Not one dance for Max Beauregard-the
man she loved! who had a rigit 10 ask OF
her at least 80 much rs a kindly memory
of him; and a man whom any woman in
that room would feel proud TO honor. But
she dared not trust herself; blindly, desper,
ately, she took fatal refuge in conduct that
miserably wronged her.
'"Thep are forming for the first set" said
a voice near her.
She looked up. II was her partner-the
Marquis Of Darnleigh.
Valerie bowed, and mechanically placed
her hand on her companions arm.
"Mr. and Lady Elinor Beauregard-
Colonel Beauregard, " rang out from the
doorway.
There was a flutter-a loud buzz Of voices
"A forward rush and rustic.
Valerie paused, holding her breath.
For a minute everything seemed to swim
round her, yet she did not stagger or cling
to her companion, and he did not see-for
her head was d~rooping-how deadly white
she had grown.
Then she looked up, and said, with a
smile:
81 must go and speak to Colonel Beaure.
gard. ! have met him before, you know"
Even rs she spoke, and moyed-still
leaning on Lord Darnlcigh's arm-toward
the entrance, Max Beauregard, scarce
twenty PAGES from her, turned and saw
her-the Fairy Queen; and all else besides,
people and scene, vanished, and left her
standing there alone, queen lily and rose
in one, " in the glory of her loveliuess, with
CLEAN Of satin and silver, and fire Of flash
H. s,..1. vi L. Inl ,a,v,, I,l avvAV
nerve under more perfect command as he
went forward to meet her, and hand clasp.
ed hand.
1t was a supreme moment for both, yet
both were calm and self-possessed. If the
clasp Of Max Beauregard's hand seemed
to the girl TO stop the very beating of heI
heart, she gave no sign; if her touch made
every nerve in the mans frame CULVER
every pulse bound, neither voice nor man
ner betrayed him.
81 am so glad to see you again." he said
genuine pleasure, but no more, in the soft,
rich voice, that was always ringing in hel
ears. 81 left you scarcely on the threshold
of Fame, and 1 come back TO find you in
the CITADEL"
ooh, Colonel Beauregard," Valerie an
Bwered, glancing up, with the old, quick,
wistful look, into the handsome face-shC
had not dared to meet his eyes full-"such
a compliment sounds almost like irony
from one of the Egyptian heroes. l must
congratulate you-not you me. And lei
me- she went on, a little hurriedly, ain
troduce you to Lord Darnleigh, though il
is scarcely necessary, " turning to the young
nobleman.
Scarcely" said he. smiling, and hold
Ing out his hand instead of the forma
bow, "since everyone knows Colonel Beau
regard. l wonder if you are half as GLAD
to be homo again rs we are t. see you here?'
"Thanks," sad Max, "for the last assur
ance. l am sure we have all good cause t.
like returning to old England, for the sak'
of the warm welcome we get everywhere
"You will have to be q little merciful on
other fellows" said Lord Darnleigh, laugh
ing. 1--WE are nowhere with the ladiet
now. The old case is reversed, and thu
Egyptians are despoiling the lsraelitesv"
"Ah!" retorted Beauregard, "but w
have to make up for lost time. For nine
months and more you have had the field al
to yourselves"
"Tm afraid you have the best of it, and
i dul HOl dSuulltu W SuIEcIucI va SOlHlC
who has compelled surrender from hun
dreds," said Lord Darnleigh, bowling
"Miss Herbert, they nre forming now
Shall we join them?"
Colonel Beauregard bowed, and turned
away, and Valerie and her partner Joined
the dancers.
"Was Valerie changed to him?' MAJ
Beauregard asked himself again and again
while he talked to his partner-a preUt!
countess, who would ask questions abou
the campaign.
Her greeting had chilled him to thu
heart, though he had thought he hat
schooled himself to be fully prepared II
find a great difference between the limo
cent child he had left and the prOtese o
wealthy Mrs. Langley-the dtUG of thu
London season.
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