Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-07-02

before each rider in turn, demanding
his title. AS this was given he
whirled to proclaim it, accompanying
each evolution with a blast on his
horn. Knight of the Golden Spur"
Knight of Castlewood," Lord of
Brandon" "Westover's, knight"
Knight of the Silver Cross the
names, fanciful, or those Of family es-
tates, fell on John Valiant's ear with
a pungent favor Of medievalism. 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 Rosei" -
sprang to his lips without forethought
an echo. perhaps, of the improvised
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 fercely
to 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 one hand thrust
between the buttons of his snowy
waistcoat. His rich bass voice rolled
out to the farthest corner of the field:
Sir Knights: fs
"The tournament to which we are
gathered today is to US traditional; a
rite Of antiquity and a monument of
ancient generations. This relic of the
jousts Of the Field of the Cloth-of-
Gold points us back to an era OF
knightly deeds, fidelity to sacred trust,
obligation to duty and loyalty to WON
an-the watchwords of true knight.
hood.
1--WE like to think that when our
forefathers, offspring of men who es.
tablished chivalry, came from over
seas, they brought with them not only
this ancient play, but the precepts it
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 world, that in an age when the
greed of gold was never so dazzling,
the spirit of true gallantry has not
faded but blooms luxuriant in the
sparkling dews of the heart of this
commonwealth.
Most Noble Knights, In the name
of that high tradition which this day
preserves! In the memory of those
other knights who practiced the tour
ney in its old-time glory! In the sight
of your Queen of Beauty! l charge
you, Southern gentlemen, to joust with
that valor, fairness and truth which
are the enduring glories 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 to Betty Page.
How 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 Cresus
daughter anywhere else"
(TO BE CONTINUED