The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1914-10-16
CHAPTER XVII.
The /.


Not long after, from the 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 cloaks
and light overcoats, calling tired but
laughing farewells.
Katharine, or The step, found her
self looking into Naliant's yes. How
can l tell you how much | have en-
joyed it ALP she said. I've stayed
till the very last minute-which is
something for ones fourth season!
And now. gondby, for we are off tomor-
row for Hot Springs"
Her father had long ago Letaken
himself hnmeward. and the big three
seated surrey-holding six comf'table
and nine fumiliah." in the phrase of
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 seal 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, ito
find our host in such surroundings! 1
a 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 at home if
he'd lived in Virginia always. And you
all treat him as il he were quite one OF
yourselves"
Shirley smiled e%nchantingly. why,
yes she said, maybe it seems odd to
outsiders. But, you see, with us a Val
liant is always a Valiant. No matter
where he has lived, he's the son or his
father and the master Of Damory
court"
That's the wonderful part OF it. It's
$3.50 English, somehow"
rs it," said Shirley. Il never
thought OF it. But perhaps it seems
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. You
know all about the duel, of course?"
Shirley shrank imperceptibly now.
The subject touched Valiant SO closely
It seemed almost as II 1t belonged to
him and to her alone-not a thing to
be fippantly touched on. Yes she
said somewhat slowly. every n here
knows of it."
mo doubt it has been almost forgot
the other continued, but Johns
must naturally have revamped
the old story. What was it about
the quarrel? A love-affair?"
Its SO long ago." murmured Shir-
ley. I suppose some nj could tell
II IHey WOutQ.
Major Bristow, perhaps" conjec-
tured Katharine thoughtfully.
II was n of the seconds" admit
Shirley unhappily. But 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.
4.A ~ 1
"Ah. it's fine Of them!" paeaned
:" a imagine the men
who knew about that dreadful affair.
h their southern chivalry, drawing a
OF silence about the name Of
that girl with her broken heart. For
e she loved a Of the two. II must
have been Sassoon-not Valiant, else
40 would have stayed. How terrible
= - opAis lovag k1lleA = such . way