The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-06-26

| ON the porch Win Judge CndiucTb
and Doctor SouthalD had searched her
out under a f1ag-of-truce, she had sent
him to the right-about. laughingiy de-
clining to depart before royalty. But
number followed number, and the
knight in purple and gold had not
paused again before her. Now the
scarlet cloak no longer fiaunted
among the dancers, and the white
satin gown and sparkling coronal had
disappeared. The end of the next
"round-dance" found her subsiding
into the fiower-banked alcove sudden
~ distract amid her escorts sallies. 1t
was at this moment that she saw, en-
tering the corridor from the garden,
the missing couple.
1t was not the faint flush on Shir-
ley's cheek-that was not deep-nor
was it his nearness to her, though they
stood closely, as lovers might. But
there was in both their faces some
thing that resurgent conventionality
had not had time to cover trem-
bling reflection of that light that
never was, on sea or land"-which was
like death-stab to what lay far deep
er than Katharine's heart her pride.
She drew swiftly back, dismayed at
the sudden verification, and for an in
slant her whole body chilled.
A craving for glass of water has
served its purpose thousand times;
as her cavalier solicitously departed to
fetch the cooling draught, she rose,
and carelessly humming the refrain
the music had just left off, sauntered
lightly out by another door to the open
air. A swift glance about her showed
her she was unobserved and she step
ped down to the grass and along the
winding path to a bench at some dis
lance in the shrubbery. Here the
smiling mask slipped from her face
and with shiver she dropped her hot
face in her hands.
There were no tears. The wave
that was yelling over her was one of
bitter humiliation. She had shot her
bolt and missed-she Katharine Far
go! For three years she had held
John Valiant, Economically speaking in
the hollow of her shapely hand. Now
she had all but thrown herself at his
feet-and he had turned away to this
fame-haired, vivid girl whom he had
not known as many months!
Heavy footballs all at once APPROACH
ed her-two men were coming from
the house. There was the splitting
crackle of match, and as she peered
out, its red flare lighted the massive
face and floating hair of Major Bris-
tow. His companions face was in the
| shadow. She waited, thinking they
would pass; but to her annoyance,
when she looked again; they had seat
ed themselves on bench a few PAGES
away.
To be found incoming in the shrub.
berry like schoolgirl did not please
her, but it seemed there was no re-
course, and she had half arisen, when
the majors gruff-voiced companion
spoke a name that caused her to sit
down abruptly.
"Bristow, shirleys magnificent
girl"
Finest in seven countless" agreed
the majors bass.
Whom do you reckon she'll choose
to marry?"
Chilly Lusk, of course. The boys
been in love with her since they were
In bibs. And he comes as near being
fit for her as anybody"
Hump" said the other sardonical-
ly. mo man ever saw was half good
enough for good woman. But good
women marry just the same. 1t isn't
Lusk. used to think it would be,
but I've got pair of eyes in my
head, if you haven't. It's young Val
liant"
The pearl fan twisted in Katha-
rine's fingers. What she had guessed
was an open secret, then!
The major made an exclamation that
had the effect Of coming after a jaw
dropped silence. II never thought
of that"
The other resumed slowly, some
what bitterly, it seemed to the girl
listening. IF her mother was in love
with Sassoon-"
Katharine's heart beat fast and then
stood still. Sassoon! That was the
name of the man Valiants father had
killed in that old duel of which Judge
Chalmers had told! IF her mother
Shirley Dandridge's mother-"was in
love with Sassoon!" Why"
"Was she?"
The majors query held sharpness
that seemed almost appeal. She was