Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-08-25
CHAPTER XVII.
The Ambush.

wv AOh5 cLICA, AAOAl INC MUSICIANS
bower the sound of Home, Sweet
Home" drifted over the poignant rose
scent, and presently the driveway re-
sounded to rolling wheels and the
voices of negro drivers, and the house
entrance jostled with groups, muffled
in loose carriage-wraps, silken cloaka
and light overcoats. calling tired but
laughing farewells.
Katharine, on the step, found her
self looking into valiant's eyes. How
can l tell you how much l have en-
joyed it all?" she said. I've stayed
till the very last minute-which is
something for ones fourth season!
And now, goodby, for we are off tomor-
row for Hot Springs
Her father had long ago betaken
himself homeward, and the big three
seated surrey-holding six CONF table
Lige the coachman-had returned for
the rest: Judge Chalmers, the two
younger girls and Shirley. Katharine
greeted the latter with a charming
smile. What more natural than that
she should find herself straightway on
the rear seat with royalty? The two
girls safely disposed in the middle, the
Judge climbed up beside the driver,
who cracked his whip and they were
off.
The way was not long, and Katha-
rine had need of dispatch if that re.
vengeful weapon were to be used
which fate had put into her hands,
She wasted little time
1T seems so strange" she said, "to
find our host in such surroundings! ]
can scarcely believe him the same
John Valiant I've danced with a hun.
dred times in New York. He's been
here such a short while and yet he
couldn't possibly be more ar home II
he'd lived in Virginia always. And you
all treat him as if he were quite one OF
yourselves"
Shirley smiled enchantingly. why
yes" she said, maybe it seems odd tC
outsiders. But, you see. with us Val
liant is always a Valiant. No matter
wnere he has lived, he's the son OF his
father and the master of Damory
court
That's the wonderful part of it. It's
$3.50 English. somehow"
as it?" said Shirley. Il never
thought of 1t. But perhaps it seem:
so. We have the old houses and the
old names and think of them, no doubt
in the same way"
What a sad life his father had,'
pursued Katharine dreamily. "Yor
know all about the duel. of course?"
Shirley shrank imperceptibly now
The subject touched Valiant so closely
ii seemed almost as IL It belonged Il
him and to her alone-not a thing tc
be fiippantly touched on. YES" she
said somewhat slowly. every one here
knows of T."
mo doubt 1t has been almost forgot
ten," the other continued. "but Johns
coming must naturally have revamped
the old story. What was 1t about
the quarrel? A love-affair?"
"It's so long ago." murmared Shir
ley. Il suppose some one could tel
IL they would.
Major Bristow. perhaps" conjec
tured Katharine thoughtful.
"He was one of the seconds" admit
ted Shirley unhappily. "Rut by com
mon consent that side of it wasn't
talked of at the time. Men in Vir
ginia have old-fashioned ideas about
women. :"
"Ah. it's fine Of them!" paeaneo
Katharine. Il can imagine the mer
who knew about that dreadful affair
in their southern chivalry, drawing q
Gordon of silence about the name Of
that girl with her broken heart. Fol
IL she loved one of the two. it mus
have been Sassoon-not Valiant, else
he would have stayed. How terrible
+, to see ones lover killed in such way