The Idaho Republican., 1914-05-08

you don't mean to say" cried his
hearer in genuine astonishment, that
Virginia has lineal descendant OF the
tourney"
The major nodded. Eyes. Certain
sections of Kentucky used to have it,
too, but it has died out there. 1t
exists now only in this state. It's
curious thing that the old knightly
meetings of the middle ages should
survive today only on American soil
and in a corner of Virginia.
Doctor Southall, meanwhile, had set
his gaze on the litter of pamphlets. He
turned with an appreciative eye.
You're beginning in earnest. The
Agricultural Department. And the
Congressional frank"
"I'm afraid I'm a sad sketch as
scientist" laughed Valiant my
point of view has to be somewhat
practical one. must be self-support-
ing. Damory Court is big estate.
1t has grain lands and forest as well.
If my ancestors lived from it, l can.
It's not only that" he went on more
slowly, 81 want to make the most of
the place for its own sake, too Not.
only of its possibilities for earning,
but of its natural beauties. lack the
resources l once had, but l can give
it thought and work, and if they can.
bring Damory Court back to anything
even remotely resembling what it once
was, I'll not spare either"
The major smote his knee and even
the doctors face showed a grim, If
transient approval. II believe you'll
do it," exclaimed the former. And
let me say, sab, that the neighbor-
hood is not unaware of the splendid
generosity which is responsible for
the present lack of which you speak" :"
Valiant put out his hand with a
little gesture of depreciation, but the
other disregarded it. "Confound 1t,
sab, it was to be expected Of Va
liant. Your ancestors wrote their
names in capital letters over this
country. They were an up and down
lot, but good or bad (and, as Southall
says, l reckon"-he nodded toward the
great portrait above the couch-"they
weren't all little woolly lambs) they
did big things in big way"
Valiant leaned forward eagerly, a
question on his lips. But at the mo-
ment a diversion occurred in the
shape of Uncle Jefferson, who re-en-
tered, bearing tray on which set sun
dry jugs and clinking glasses, glow
ing with white and green and gold.
"You old humbug," said the doctor,
don't you know the majors that pol,
soned with mint-juleps already that he
can't get up before eight in the morn
ing"
well, suh," Uttered Uncle Jeffer
son, "Ah done foun' er mint-baid down
below de kitchens dis mawnin'. Yo',
all gemmun' bout de bigges' expuhts
in dis yeah county, en- All reck'n
Mars Valiant sho' 'sist on yo' sam
: plin' et."
: Sab" said the major feelingly
. turning to his host, 'Tm proud tc
drink your health in the typical bev
erage of Virginia." He touched
glasses with Valiant and glared at the
doctor, who was slipping his owr
thoughtfully. Poems have been writ
ten on the julep, sab"
"They make good epitaphs, too" OBJ
: served the doctor.
II noticed your glass isn't goint
begging" the major retorted. "Unc
: Jefferson, that's as good mint as grew
in the gyarden of Eden. See tina
; those lazy niggers of yours don't grul
the patch out by mistake"
"Yas, sah," said Uncle Jefferson, al
he retired with the tray. "Ah gwine
ter put er fence eroun dat ar bald 10
sundown."
The question that had sprung t.
Valiant's lips now found utterance. "
saw you look at the portrait there,
8 he said to the major. (Which Of m,
ancestors Is it?"
The other got up and stood befor
the mantel-piece in Napoleonic att
: tude. "That," he said, fixing his eye
glasses, lis your great-grandfather
Devil-John Valiant"
"Devil-John!" echoed his host. "Yes
3 I've heard the name"
The doctor guffawed. "He earne'
it. I reckon. l never realized what
sinister expression that missing opti
gives the old ruff1ar. There was
skirmish during the war on the hill
side yonder and bullet cut 1t ont
When we were boys We used to cal
him old One-Eye.'"
1T interests me enormously" JON
Valiant spoke explosively.
"The stories of Devil-John would fiji
a mighty big book" said the major
"By all accounts he ought to hav
lived in the middle ages" Crossin
the library, he looked into the dining
room. 'T thought remembered, IN
portrait over the console there Is nj
wife, your great-grandmother. The
say he bet that when he brought ri
bride home; she should walk into Ds
mory Court between rows of candle
sticks worth twenty-thousand dollars