The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1914-06-30

II It was a NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. they
could have been in love with the same
woman"
But why should he go away?"
i can't imagine, unless she had
really loved the other man. II so, she
couldn't have borne seeing Valiant
afterward." She paused with little
laugh But then," she said, lit may
have been nothing 80 romantic. Va
liants grandfather, who was known as
Dev1[John, Is said to have called a
man out because he rode past him
On the wrong side. Our ancestors in
Virginia, I'm afraid, didn't staad-on
ceremony when they felt uppish''
He did not smile. He was looking
out once more over the luminous
stretch of fields, his side-face towards
her. Curious and painful questions
were running through his brain. With
an effort, he thrust these back and re-
called his attention to what she was
saying.
You wonder, l suppose, that we
feel as we do toward these old estates,
and set store by them, and-yes, and
brag Of them insufferably as we do.
But It's in our blood. You Northern
ers think we're desperately con-
ceited," she smiled, nut it's true.
We're still as proud of our land, and
Its old. old places, and love them as
we'll as our ancestors ever did. Do
yoa wonder we resent their passing
to people who don't care for them in
the Southern way?'
But suppose the newcomers do
care for them?"
Her lips curled. "A young million
aire who has lived all his life in New
York, to care for Damory Court! A
youth idiotically rich, brought up in a
superheated atmosphere of noise and
money!"
He started uncontrollably So that
was what she thought! He felt him
self flushing. He had wondered what
would be his impression of the neigh
borhood and its people; their possible
opinion of himself had never occurred
to him.
You think there's no chance of his
choosing to stay here because he
actually likes it,"
Not the slightest she said indif-
ferently.
you are SO certain OF this without
ever having seen him?"
She glanced at him covertly, an
noyedly sensible of the improperly
of the discussion, since the man dis
be his friend. But his insistence had
reused a certain balky wilfulness that
would have it's way. IT'S true I've
never seen him." she said, but I've
read about him hundred times in the
Sunday supplements. He's a regular
idea of good time is a dog-banquet
at Sherry's. Why, girl told me once
that there was cigarette named after
him-the Vanity Valiant"
Isn't that beside the point? Be
cause he has been an i1ler, must he
hOSCOSoAAAy OO q dhddl.
She laughed again. HE wouldn't
cali it vandalism He'd think it de-
cided improvement to make Damory
Court as frantically different IS posi-
BILE. l suppose he'll erect a glass
cupola and a porte-cochere, all up-to-
date and varnishy, and put orchid hot
houses where the wilderness garden
was, and modern marble cupid In
stead of the summer-house, and lay
out a kite-shaped track
Everything that was impulsive and
explosive In John Valiant's nature
came out with a bang mol" he
cried, whatever else he is, he's not
such a preposterous ass as that"
She faced him squareiy now. Her
eyes were sparkling. Since you know
him SO intimately and SO highly ap-
prove of him"
mo, no. he interrupted. You mis-
take me. l shouldn't try to justify
him" His flush had risen to the roots
of his brown hair, but he did not
lower dis gaze. Now the red color
slowly ebbed, leaving him pale. He
haR been an idler-that's true enough
and till week axo he was idiotic-
ally rich But his idling is over now.
At this moment, except for this one
property, he is little better than a
beggar"
She had taken a hasty step or two
back from him, and her eyes were now
fixed on his with dawning half-fear-
fGi question in them.
Till the failure of the Valiant Cor
poration, he had never heard Of Da-
mory Court, much less been aware
that he owned it. It wasn't because
he loved it that he came here-no!
How could it be? He bad never set
foot in Virginia in his mortal life"
She put up her hands to her throat
with start. Gamer she echoed,
Camel"
But If you think that even he could
be SO crassly stupid, so monumentally
blind to all that is really fine and
beautiful
oh" she cried with flashing COM
s'1lza-'{ u