Show T ERMINIE rivta illustrations 6 LAUPEN TOUT y cower cow wr ay 11 SYNOPSIS john valiant a rich society favorite suddenly discovers that the valiant cor Do rallon which his father founded and which was the principal source of his wealth has ailed he voluntarily turns over his private fortune to the receiver for the corporation H n entire remaining possessions consist of an old motor car while bull dog aal damory court a neg kited estate in virginia on the way to damory court he meets sharley dand an auburn beauty and de aldes that he Is going to like virginia am densely sharley a mrs dand ridge and major exchange rein during which it Is revealed that the major gallant a father and a anan named sassoon ere rivals for the hand of mrs dandridge in her youth and valiant fought a duel on her account in which the former was killed valiant finds damory court overgrown alth weeds and creepers cree pera and decides to rehabilitate the place valiant saves shirlev from the bite of a snake which bites him knowing the deadliness of the bite sharley sucks the poison from the wound and saves ills life valiant learns for the first time that his father left mr glela on account of a duel in which doc tor southall and major brastow acted as 1 Is father a seconds valiant and sharley become good friend mrs dandradge faints when she meets valiant tor the first time valiant discovers that he has fortune in old walnut trees CHAPTER continued 1 I got over it before I 1 was old enough to make myself a butt of hi larley the doctor retorted I 1 see by the papers invented a new dance called the grizzly bear I 1 be here there a another named the yip boodle I 1 hope youve got em down pat to show the young folk tonight brastow the major got up with some irelta tion southall he said sometimes im tempted to think your remarks iorge upon the personal you dont bae to watch me dance if you dont choose to no thank god muttered the doc tor 1 I prefer to remember you when you belll preserved a trace of dignity twenty odd years ago it dignity the majors blood waa rising now consists in our eternal tasteless bicke rings I 1 want none of it what on earth do you do it tor you had some friends once friends snapped the other the fewer I 1 have the better the major clapped on his straw hat angrily strode to the door and opened it but on the threshold he stopped and presently shut it turned back slowly and resumed his chair the doctor was re lighting cigar but an odd furtive look had slipped to bis face and he hand that struck the match was unsteady for a time both sat smoking at farst in then talking in a desultory wayon indifferent topics fl nally the major rose and tossed bis cigar into the empty grate be off now he said 1 I must be on the field before the others As he went down the steps a car ariage drawn by a pair of dancing grays plunged past who are those people with the chalmers I 1 wonder said the doctor strangers here the major peered oh he said over his shoulder I 1 forgot to tell you silas fargo the railroad dent from new york and his daugh ter katharine his private cars down on the siding they re at the judges hes chief counsel tor the road in this state they 11 be at the tournament I 1 reckon you 11 be there ont you the doctor was putting some phials and instruments into a worn leather bag no he said shortly I 1 m go ing to take a ten mile drive to add Frend sf snapped the other the fewer I 1 have the betherl Bet terl to athla county s population I 1 expect but im coming to the dance prom laed valiant I 1 would in a moment ot temporary aberration CHAPTER A virginian june in virginia la something to remember today the master of damory court deemed this a true saying for the air was like wine and the drifting white wings ot cloud piled abote the amethystine ramparts ram parta ot the far blue ridge looked down upon a violet world bound in green and allver hi his bedroom valiant stood look into the depths of an ancient ward be presently he took from a hook alt of white flannel in which he ar rayed himself over hla soft shirt he knotted a pale gray scarf the modish alte belt and the rolling panama threw cat in fine contrast the keen in abod face and dark brown eyes in the ball below he looked about him with satisfaction for the last three days he bad labored tirelessly to fat the place for the evening s event the parlor now showed walls rimmed with straight back chairs and the grand piano long ago put in order had been relegated to the library that instinct tor the artistic which had made him a last resort in the vexing problems of club entertainments had aided him in the courts adornment out of the kitchens cassandra s egg beating chatted like a watchman s rattle while aunt daphne put the aln touches to an array of lighter edibles destined to grace the long ta ble on the rear porch now walled in with snow white muslin and hung with candle lusters under the trees uncle jefferson was even then experimenting with various punch compounds and a delicious aroma ot vanilla came to va hants nostrils the red road as Vali ants car passed was dotted with straggling pe dest rians humble country folk who trudged along the grassy foot path with no sullen regard tor the cars and comfortable carriage that left them behind sturdy barefooted children who called shrilly after him and happy go lucky negro youths clad in their best with sunday shoes dan glang over their shoulders slouching in the dust all bound tor the same mecca which presently rose before him a gateway of painted can vas proclaiming the field to which it opened runnymede lie halted bis car at the end of the field and snapped a leash in the bull dogs collar I 1 hate to do it old man he said apologetically to chum s reproachful look but I 1 ve got to there aro to be some stunts and in such occasions you re apt to be con vinced oure the main one of the con te stants which might cause a mix up never mind I 1 II 11 anchor you where you wont miss anything ith the excited dog tugging be fore him he threaded his way through the press with keen exhilaration now and then his gloved hand touched his cap at a salutation lie was con balous of swift bird like glances from pretty girls here was none of the rigid straight ahead gaze or vacant stare ot the city boulevard the eyes that looked at alm frankly curious and inquiring were full of easy open comradeship some of the girls wore gowns and hats that might that mom ing have issued from the rue de la others were habited in cheap materials but about the latter hung no benumbing self consciousness all bore themselves alike he was beginning to realize that there might really exist straitened circumstances even actual poverty which yet created no sort of social difference opposite the canvas covered grand stand sat twelve email mushroom tents each with a staff and tiny flag midway lines of flaxen kopea stretched between crofts of slender peeled sap lings from whose tope floated streamers of vivid bunting A pavilion of purple cloth open at the sides awaited tor the committee and near the center a negro band was disposed on camp stools tha brass of the wait ing instruments winking in the sun light the stand was a confused contused cont used glow of color of light gauzy dresses of young girls in pastel mullins muslins with flowers in their belts picturesque hats and slender articulate hands darting in vivacious gestures like white lows the gentry from the big bouses the light athletic figure towed by the white bulldog bull dog drew many glances valiant s eyes however as they swept the seats were looking for but one and at first vainly he felt a quick pang of disappointment perhaps she would not come perhaps her mother was still perhaps but then aud denly his heart beat high for he saw her in the lower tier with a group of young people he could not have told what she wore save that it was ot soft murillo blue with a hat whose down curved brim was wound with a shaded plume ot the same tint her mother was not with her she was not look ing his way as he passed her arms at the moment being held out in an adorable gesture toward a little child in a smiling matron s lap and but a single glance was before the major seized upon him and bore him to the purple pavilion for be was one of the committee but for this distraction he might have seen entering the stand with the chalmers Ch almera just as the band struck up a delicious whirl of dixie the two strangers whom the doctor bad ob served an hour before aa they whirled by the mason house behind the judge s grays silas fargo might have passed in any gathering tor the unobtrusive city man katharine was noticeable anywhere and today her tall willowy figure in its champagne color lingerie gown and hat garnished with bronze and gold this ales setting in relief her ivory statuesque face drew a wave of ehla comment which left a sibilant wake behind him the party made a picturesque group as they now als posed themselves katharine s color less loveliness contrasting with the eager sparkle of pretty nancy chal mera and the gipsy like beauty of betty page I 1 r i 1 J wf rtula A you call it a tournament don t asked katharine of the judge yes he replied its a kind of contest in which twelve riders corn pete or the privilege of naming a queen 0 beauty there s a ball to night at which the lucky lady Is crowned those little tents are where the noble knights don their shining armor see there go their capara chargers A file of negroes was approaching the tents each leading a horse whose saddle and bridle were decorated with fringes of various hues in the center of the roped lists directly in front of the stand others were planting upright in the ground a tall pole from whose top projected a horizontal arm like a slender gallows from this was suspended a cord at whose end swung a tiny object that whirled and gilt in the sun the judge explained on the end of the cord Is a silver ring at which the knights tilt with lances twelve rings are used the pike points are made to fit them and the knight who carries off the greatest number of the twelve is the victor the whole thing la a custom as ancient as virginia a relic of course of the old jousting ot the feudal ages the ring Is supposed to represent the device on the boss ot the shield at which the lancet thrust vas aimed how interesting exclaimed kath allne and turning swept the stand with her lorgnette I 1 suppose all the county s F F Vs are here laughingly to nancy chalmers ive atten wondered by the way what became of the second families ot virginia oh mostly emigrated north answered nancy the ones that are left are all ancient there are families here that don t admit they ever began at all silas fargo shook bis stooped ders with laughter up north he said genially we ve got regular factories that turn out ready made family trees tor anybody who wants to roost in one and now over the fluttering stand and the crowd about the barriers a stir was discernible katharine looked again at the field who Is that asplen did old man giving directions the one who looks like a lion he 8 corn ing this way now major montague brastow said the judge he e been master of the heralds for years the bourna ment could hardly happen without the major im sure id like him she an what a lovely girl he is talking to it was sharley who bad beckoned the major from the lists she was leaning over the railing why has ridgeley pendleton left she asked in a low voice isn t he one of the twelve he was but hes he waso t feeling up to it when he came but he give up till halt an hour ago we 11 have to get along with eleven knights she made an exclamation of dismay poor ridge and what a there have never been less than the full number it will spoil the royal quadrille tonight too why doean doesn t the committee choose some one in his place listen why not ask mr va llant he la our host tonight I 1 m sure he d be glad to help out even without the costume egad he said pulling his am aerial none of us had thought of him he could ride pendleton s mount of course he reflected a moment do it its exactly the right thing you re a clever girl sharley he hastily crossed the field while she leaned back her eyes on the flan meled figure long since recognized under the purple pavilion she saw the committe put their heads and hurriedly enter in the moments wait gloved fingers clasped and unclasped somewhat nervously the riders had been chosen long before john valiant a coming it a saddle however was perforce to be vacant what more appropriate prop than that he should fill it the thought had come to her instantly bred of an underlying regret which she had all along cherished that he was not to take part but beneath was a deeper passionate wish that did not attempt to analyze to aea assume his place with others long habituate to that closed circle a place rightfully bis by reason of birth and name and to lighten the gloomy shadow that must rest on his thoughts of his father with warmer sunnier things she heaved a secret sigh of satisfaction as the white clad figure rose in acquiescence the major returned to the grand stand and held up his hand tor silence our gracious liege be proclaimed in his big vibrant voice queen of beauty yet unknown lords knights and esquires fair dames and gentles aall whereas divers noble persons have and taken upon them to hold jousts royal and tourney you are hereby acquainted that the lists of runnymede are about to open for that achievement of arms and grand and noble tournament for which they have so long been famed but an hour since one of our noble knights prick ing hither to tilt for his lady was beset by a grievous malady however lest our jousting lack the royal num her a new champion hath at this last hour been found to fill the table round who of his courtesy doth con sent to ride without armor A buzz ran over the assemblage it must be pendleton who has defaulted said judge chalmoers I 1 heard this morning he was sick who s the substitute knight I 1 wonder at the moment a single mounted herald before the tents blew a long blast on a silver bom their flaps parted and eleven knights issued to mount their steeds and draw into line behind him they were brilliantly decked in with slashed doublets and plumed and short jeweled cloaks drooped from their shoulders pages handed each a long lance which was held perpendicular the butt resting on the right stirrup under the pavilion just for the trac alon of a second valiant hesitated then he turned swiftly to the twelfth tent its sag staff bore a long stream er of deep blood red he snatched this from its place flung it about bis waist and knotted it sash wise he drew the rose from his lapel and thrust it through the band of bis panama leaped to the saddle of the horse the major bad beckoned and with a quick thrust of bis heel swung to the end of the stamping line the field and grand stand bad seen the quick decision with its instant ac alon and as the hoofs thudded over the turf a wave of hand clapping ran across the seats like a silver rain neatly done upon my word said the judge delighted what a daring idea who is it Is it bless my soul it is katharine fargo had dropped her lorgnette with an exclamation she stood up her wide eyes fixed on that figure in pure white with tho blood red cordon flaunting across his horse s flanks and the single crimson blossom glowing in his hat the white knight she breathed who is he judge chalmers Cb almers looked round in sud den illumination I 1 forgot that you would be likely to know him he said that is mr john valiant of damory court CHAPTER the knight of the crimson rose the row of horsemen had halted in a curving line before the grand stand and now in the silence the herald holding a parchment scroll spurred before each rider in turn demanding hla title As this was given he whirled to proclaim it accompanying each evolution with a blast on hla horn knight of the golden spur knight of castlewood lod lo d ot brandon Wes knight |