Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-03-01

The
And How 1t Resulted In a
Serious Complication
By F. A. mitchell
By F. A. mitchell
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

was society tnaC was unique.
A number Of planters with their FAM
lilies were assembled at winter fes-
tir In the manor house Of LIE Roy
Chalmers. There were driving, horse
back riding, shooting and other sea-
sonable sports, affording merry time
to all. Beatrice Chalmers was the
acknowledged belle Of the party, not
only on account of her comeiness, but
q certain dash there was about her,
an impulsiveness which was constantly
bursting through conventional re-
straint. The young people Of the party
had done more or less pairing off, but
Miss Chalmers, being a hostess, had re-
Trained from accepting more attention
from any one OF the men guests than
another.
Nevertheless there were two who, 1t
was generally conceded, were nearer
to her than the others-the one, Ed
mond Dargan, a creole from Louisiana;
the other. Louis Fitz Maurice, young
Virginia attorney. Dargan had re-
Gently come to Virginia, had made the
acquaintance of Colonel Chalmers, who
with the hospitality of the times and
the locality had invited him to his
house. Fitz Maurice had known Rea-
trice Chalmers from childhood and was
In love with her; but, being only an
attorney, which was then considered
greatly inferior to being a planter.
and since he had no fortune, he had
kept his passion to himself. At any
rate. he had not spoken it.
One day when the party were re-
turning from hunt Miss Chalmers
missed her riding whip. In the han
die was valuable diamond. Her ex-
pressive face at once showed how
keenly she felt the loss. They had
been riding through a thickly wooded
country. and it was quite possible that
the whip might not be found.
"What will you give the finder?,
asked one Of the young men.
At that moment Dargan. who had
fallen behind the others, rode up and
having heard the question and know
ing the impulsive nature Of the girl
said:
"Yourself:'
"Ycs. myself" said Beatrice, "and
all | possess
Every young man CT the party turn
ed his horses hea. to the direction
from which they had come and spur
red away to look for the lost whip. y
short distance from the manor house
they met Fitz Maurice and Carey EN-
mons. who were just coming in. Fit2
Maurice succeeded in stopping one OF
the riders long enough to discover
what they We're returning for. but i'll
stead of joining them rode on to the
house with Miss Emmons. Then ht
saw the ladies of the party standing or
the porch. At seeing him Miss Chal
mers cried out:
Aren't you going to look for my rid
ing whip?'
You would not have me be so dis
courteous as to leave Miss Emmons"
Certainly not But, now that Miss
Emmons is here, see nothing to pre-
vent your returning to search with the
rest"
Nothing but that the whip has
doubtless been already found"
A look something akin to reproach
flashed in Beatrice's eyes at what she
considered this ungallant treatment.
Half an hour later the men were
seen riding back headed by Dargan
who held aloft the recovered whip
Miss Chalmers, who saw it all through
q window. knit her brow and cast
deprecating glance at FitZ Maurice
who was standing near. In few mo
ments the hunters threw themselve
from their horses. which were takel
away by negro slaves. and all followed
Dargan into the house. Advancing to
ward Miss Chalmers. he dropped OF
one knee and handed her the whip.
You have found my whip" she said
at remains with you to say II yo1
wish the offered reward"
II certainly do wish it and claim II
as my right"
Every one present except the mar
addressed. who was on his knees will
head bowed. saw by the expression OF
the lady's face that she certainly dit
not wish it. and every one saw a hal
reproachful. half appealing glance sh'
threw at Fitz Maurice before replying
"No Chalmers has ever gone baci
on his or her word. Ny friends.
have to announce my engagement II
Mr.. Dargan:":, ~~
There was q clapping of hands IRON
some who considered the matter to b'
mere banter and frowns from other:
who believed the girl would be foolisi
enough to sacrifice herself to a fals'
sense Of honor. Dargan took he
hand, kissed it. rose. and the party dis
persed.
The same evening Fitz Maurice, find
ing Dargan walking alone under som
magnolia trees near the house, aI
preached him and said:
"Dargan. was surprised that i
claiming your reward today you failc
to say that you could only accept it i
case the lady's heart went with It,"
Dargan turned upon FitZ Mauric
like fury.
That is a matter between MIS-
Chalmers and myself. l brook no In
reference In my affairs from an
man."
Mr.. ". S. Gunsal''s, a farmer living nea
II. ,kz.NI Ia