The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1914-06-17

single glance was vouchsafed to him
before the major seized upon him AID
pore him TO the purple pavilion for he
was one of the committee.
But for this distraction, he might
have seen. entering the stand with the
Chalmers just as the band struck up
q delicious whirl of Dixie" the two
strangers whom the doctor had OBJ
served an hour before as they whirled
by the Merryweather Mason house be-
hind the judges grays. Silas Fargo
might have passed in any gathering
for the unobtrusiye city man. Katha.
rine was noticeable anywhere, and
today her tall willowy figure in its
champagne-color lingerie gown and hat
garnished with bronze and gold this.
ties. setting In relief her ivory
statuesque face, drew wave Of whis-
pered comment which left sibilant
wake behind him. The party made
q picturesque group as they now dis
posed themselves, Katharine's color
less loveliness contrasting with the
I eager sparkle of pretty Nancy Chal.
mers and the glpsy-like beauty OF
Betty Page.
"You call 1t tournament don't
your asked Katharine of the judge.
Yes" he replied. ''It's q kind Of
contest in which twelve riders com.
pete for the privilege Of naming a
Queen Of Beauty. There's ball to.
night, at which tho lucky lady Is
crowned. Those little tents are where
the noble knights don their shining
armor. See, there go their capar-
soned chargers"
a hle OF negroes was approaching
the tents, each leading horse whose
saddle and bride were decorated with
fringes Of various hues. In the center
OF the roped lists, directly in front Of
the stand, others we're planting up
right in the ground n tall pole from
whose top projected a horizontal arm
like slender gallows. From this was
suspended cord at whose end swung
tiny object that whirled and gilt
tered 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 pikc-points are
made to fit them, and the knight who
carries off the greatest number OF the
twelve is the victor The whole thing
Is custom as ancient as Virginia
relic, OF course, Of the old jousting
of the feudal ages. The ring is sup
posed to represent the device on tho
boss of the shield, at which the lance
thrust was aimed"
How Interestingly" exclaimed Kath-
arine, and turning, swept tho stand
with her lorgnette. 81 suppose all the
county's f. +. VS. are here" she said
laughingly to Nancy Chalmers. "Tve
often wondered, by the way, what be-
came Of the Second Families of Yir-
ginia."
ooh, they've mostly emigrated
North" answered Nancy. "The ones
that arc left are all ancient. There
are families here that don't admit
they ever began at ALL"
Silas Fargo shook his stopped shoul-
ders with laughter. "Up North" he
said genially, we've got regular fac
tories that turn out ready made family
! trees for 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 splen-
did old man giving directions? The
ono who looks like lion. He's COM
ing this way, now"
That's Major Montague Bristow,"
said the Judge. Hes been master Of
the heralds for years. The tourna-
ment could hardly happen without the
major"
I'm sure I'd like him." she an
swered. What lovely girl he Is
talking to-"
1t was Shirley who had beckoned
the major from the lists. She was
leaning over the railing. "Why has
Ridgeley Pendleton left?" she asked
In low voice. isn't he one Of the
twelve?"
HE was. But he's ILL., He wasn't
feeling up to 1t when he came, but
he didn't give up till half an holr
ago. Wen have to get along with
eleven knights"
She made an exclamation Of dismay.
Poor Ridge! And what a pity!
There nave never been less than the
full number. 1t will spoil the royal
quadrille tonight, too. Why doesn't
the committee choose some one in his
place? Listen, Why not ask Mr.. Va
liant? He is our host tonight. I'm
sure he'd be glad to help out, oven
without the costume"
ho ooi<J ,>,,IIt~a. III.