The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1914-06-19

bNioiG NoSh AAoNi ~ ulh
his title. AS this was given be
whirled to proclaim it. accompanying
each evolution with a blast on his
horn. knight OF the Golden Spur
knight OF C~astlewood," Lord OF
Brandon" "Westover's G ("
Knight Of the Silver Cross: the
names. fanciful. or those OF family es
tates, fell on John Valiant's ear with
IA pungent flavor of m~edievalism. he
started as he became aware that the
rider next him had answered and that
the herald had paused before him.
Knight OF the Crimson Rose" 1t
sprang to his lips without forethought,
an echo. perhaps. Of the i~mprovised
sash and the flower in his hat-band.
but the shout of the herald and the
trumpet's blare seemed TO make the
words fairly bulge with inevitability.
And through this struck a sudden ap-
palled feeling that he had really
spoken Shirley'S name, and that every
one had heard. He could not see her
face, and clutched his lance tiercely
10 overcome an insane desire to stoOp
hideously in his saddle and peer I'M
der the shading hat-brim. Lest he
should do this. he fastened his eyes
determinedly on the major, who now
proceeded to deliver himself of the
Charge to the Knights"
The major made an appealing cen
ter to the charming picture as he
stood on the green turf. the glass
of fashion and the mold of form" his
head bare. his shock Of blond-gray
hair thrown back. and n hand thrust
between the buttons Of his snowy
waistcoat. His rich bass voice rolled
out to the farthest corner of the field:
Sir knights:
The tournament to which we are
gathered today is to us traditional; q
rite of antiquity and a monument Of
ancient generations. This relic OF the
jousts Of the Field Of the Cloth-of-
Gold points us hack TO an era of
knightly deeds, fidelity to sacred trust,
obligation to duty and loyalty to WON
an-the w~atchwoTds of true knight
hood.
We iiNC u lLllih tI0I IN Cui
forefathers, offspring of men who es-
tablished chivalry, came from over
seas, they brought with them not only
this ancient play. but the preceptS 1t
symbolizes. We may be proud. IN
deed, knowing that this is no hollow
ceremonial, but an earnest that the
flower OF knighthood has not withered
in the 'sorld. that in an age when the
greed Of gold was never SO dazzling,
the spirit Of true g~allantry has not
faded but blooms luxuriant in the
sparkling dews OF the heart of this
commonwealth.
Most Noble Knights. In the name
Of that hign tradition which his day
preserves! In the memory of those
other knights who practiced the tour
ney in it's old-time glory, In the sight
Of your Queen Of Beauty! [ charge
you, Southern gentlemen. to jouSt with
that valor, fairness and truth which
are the enduring g~lcries of the knight
hood Of Virginia."
Over the ringing applause, Nancy
Chalmers looked at him with a little
smile, quizzical yet soft. Dear old
major" she whispered 90 Betty Page.
'fow he loves the center Of the stage!
And he's effective. toO Thirty years
ago, father says, he might have been
anything he wanted to-even United
States Senator. But he would never
leave the state. Not that | blame him
for that" she added; I'D rather be a
church-mouse in Virginia than CrGsus
daughter anywhere else"
CTO BE CONTINUED