The state herald., 1914-06-19
CHAPTER xIll-contlnued.


ravine which widened at one end to n
shallow marshy valley. The rocks
were covered with gray-green feath-
cry creepers, enwound with curly vel
low tendrils of love.vine. Across the
ravine, on lower level. began a
grove of splendid trees that marched
up into the long stretch of neglected
forest he had seen from the house.
You love IT." he asked. without
withdrawing his eyes.
I've loved 1t all my life. love
everything about Damory Court.
Ruined as 1t is, 1t is still one OF the
most beautiful estates in all Virginia.
There's nothing finer even in Italy.
Just behind us, where those hemlocks
spoke of was fought"
He turned his head Tell me about
It," he said.
She glanced at him curiously. Didn't
you know? That was the reason the
place was abandoned. Valiant. who
lived here, and the owner OF another
plantation. who was named Sassoon.
quarreled. They fought, the story is.
under those big hemlock trees. Sas-
soon was killed"
lie looked out across the distance;
he could not trust his face. And
valiant?"
He went away the same day and
never came back: he lived in New
York till he died. He was the father
OF the courts present owner. You
never heard the story?"
No" he admitted. It'll quite re-
Gently never heard OF Damory
Court"
That was the last duel ever fought
in Virginia. Dueling was dreadful
custom. I'm glad It's gone Aren't
your"
Yes" he said slowly. 1T was n
thing that cut two ways. Perhaps Va.
liant, II he could have had his choice
nfterward. would rather have been ly-
ing there that morning than Sas.
soon"
He must have suffered. too" she
agreed. "or he wouldn't have exiled
himself as he did used TO wonder
II II was yequarrel-whether they
could have been In love with the same
woman"
But why should he go away7"
81 can't imagine. unless she had
really loved the other man. II so, she
couldn't have borne seeing Valiant
afterward." She paused with n little
laugh. But then" she said. 1T may
have been nothing 80 romantic. Va.
liant's grandfather, who was known us
Deyil-John. is said TO have called n
man out because he rode past him
on the wrong side. Our ancestors In
Virginia. I'm afraid. didn't stand on
ceremony when they felt uppish."
He did not smile. He was looking
out once more over tho luminous
stretch OF fields. his side-facc towards
her. Curious and painful questions
were running through his brain. With
an effort. hs thrust these back and re.
called ais attention TO what she was
shying.
You wonder. | suppose. that we
feel as we do toward these old estates,
and set store by them. and-yeu, and
brag OF them in6utferably ns we do.
But It's In our blood. You Northern.
ors think we're desperately con.
ceited." she smiled. but It's true.
We're still an proud OF our land, and
Its old. old places. and love them aa
well ms our ancestors ever did. DO
you wonder we resent their passing
TO people who don't caro- for them In
the Southern way7''
But suppose the newcomers do
care for thcm7''
Her lips curlod. "A young million.
airo who has lived all hia life In New
York. TO care for Damory Court A
youth idiotleally rich. brought up In a
suporhoatcd atmosphere OF noise and
money!"
He started uncontrollably. 80 tina,
was whnt she thought He felt him.
nelf flushing. He had wondered what
would be his Impression OF tho neigh.
borhood and It's people: their possible
opinion Of himself had never occurred
90 him
You think there's no chance OF his
choosing TO stay here because ha
actually llkes ~"
Not the slightest" she said indif
forcntly
You are no certain OF this without
ever having Heen himi'
She glanced AT him eoyer,ly. an.