Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1914-04-09

ley. Il suppose some one could tell
il they would"
Major Bristow, perhaps" conJec-
tured Katharine thoughtully.
"He was one OF the seconds" admit
ted 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.
"Ah, it's fine of theml" paeaned
Katharine. Il can imagine the men
who knew about that dreadful affair,
in their southern chivalry, drawing
Gordon OF silence about the name OF
that girl with her broken heart. For
IL she loved one of the two 1t must
have been Sassoon-not Valiant, else
he would have stayed. How terrible
TO see ones lover killed In such way.
Il was quickly ended for him,
but the poor woman was left to bear II
all the years. | fancy she would never
wholly get over il, never be able to
forget him, though she tried"
Shirley made some reply that was
lost in the whirring wheels. The 9TH
er's words seemed almost an echo OF
what she herself had been thinking.
Maybe she married after while,
too. A woman must make a life for
herself, you know. If she lives here.
it will be sad for her. this opening of
the old wound by Johns coming. =.
And looking so like his father"
Katharine paused. There was kind
of exhilaration in this subtle batting.
Shirley stirred uneasily, and in the
glimpsing light her face looked trou-
bled. Katharine's voice had touched
pathos. and in spite OF her distaste OF
the subject, Shirley had been entering
into the feeling of that supposititious
woman.
The Judge, on the front seat, was
telling a low-toned story over his
shoulder for the delectation OF Nancy
and Betty. but Shirley was not listen
ing. Her whole mind was full of what
Katharine had been saying. She was
picturlng to herself this woman, her
secret hidden all these years, hearing
of John Valiant's coming to Damory
court, learning of this likeness, shrink
ing from sight of it, dreadng the pain
full memory it must thrust upon her
Suppose voice was
dreamy-"that she and John met sud
denly. without warning. What would
she do? Would she say anything?
Perhaps she would faint.
Shirley started violently. Her hands,
as they drew her cloak uncertainty
about her, began TO tremble, as if with
cold Something fell from them to the
bottom of the surrey.
Through her chiffon veil Katharine
noted this with a slow smile. 1t had
been easier than she had thought. She
said no more, and the carriage rolled
on, to the accompaniment of giggles
over the judges peroration. AS it
neared the Rosewood lane she leaned
toward Shirley.
You have dropped your fam" said
she and your gloves, too.
/ might have reached them for you.
Why, we are there already. How short
the drive has seemed"
Don't drive up the lane, Lige,
said Shirley, and her voice seemed
sharp and strange even to herself.
THE wheels would wake mother"
Katharine babe her goodby with care
full sweetness, as the Judge bundled
her down in his strong friendly arms
NO" she told him, don't come with
me. It's not a bit necessary. EN-
maline will be waiting for me-"
He climbed into her vacant place as
the girls called their good nights
Wen all sleep late enough in the
morning, l reckon" he said with a
laugh, but it's been a great success!
;
Emmaline was crouched in chair
in the hall, a rug thrown over heI
knees, in open-mouthed slumber. She
started up at the touch of Shirley's
hand, yawning widely.
II clare to goodness" she muttered
II was jes' fixin' t go t sleep!"
Tin so tired. Emmaline. Take
the crown. It's heavy"
The negro woman. untangled the
glittering points from the meshinl
hair with careful fingers. "Po Ii
| chickydee-dee!" she said lovingly