The state herald., 1914-08-14
CHAPTER XVII.
The Ambush.

fHo Sfnpuuh.
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. muffied
in loose carriase-wraps. sllken cloaks
and light overcoats, calling tired but
laughing fnrewells.
Katharine. on the step. found her.
self looking into Valiant's eyes. How
can / tell you how much have en-.
joyed II all?" she said. I've stayed
till the very last minute-which is
something for ones fourth season.
And now. goodby, for we are OF tomor.
row for Hot Springs"
Her father had long ago betaken
himself homeward, and the big three.
seated surrey-holding six comftable
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 n charming
smile. What more natural than that
she should nnd herself straightway on
the rear seat with royalty' The two
girls safely disposed In the middle, the
Judge climbed up beside the driver.
who cracked his whip and they were
OF.
The way was not long. and Katha.
rfne had need OF dispatch II 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
fnd our host In such surroundings !
can scarcely believe him the same
John Valiant I've danced with a hun.
dred times in New York. He's been
here such short while and yet he
couldn't possibly bs more at home II
he'd lived In Virginia always And you
all treat him as II he were quite one OF
yourselves
Shirley smiled enchantingly. why.
yes" she said. maybe II 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 OF his
father and the master OF Damory
court"
That's the wonderful part OF II. It's
500 English. somehow"
''is H." said Shirley Il never
thought OF Il. But perhaps It seems
80. We have the old houses and the
old names and think Of them. no doubt,
In the same way"
What n sad life his father hadl"
pursued Katharine dreamlly. You
know all about the duel. OF courso?"
Shirley Fhrank imperceptibly now
The subject touched Valiant so closely
II seemed almost as n Il belonged TO
him and 10 her alono-not n thing TO
be flpphntly touched on. Yes" she
said somewhat slowly. every ono here
knows OF IL"
No doubt II has been almos, forgot
ten the other continued. blu, Johns
coming must naturally have rcvampod
tho old story. What was II about
the quarrel A ioyeanalr9"
IT'S no long ago" murmurcd shir.
10y. i suppose some ono could tell
II they would"
Major Bristow. perhaps" eonjcc
tured Katharine thoughtfuily
He was ono OF tho seconds" admit
ted Shirley unhapplly But by com
mon consent that side OF II wasn't
talked OF at tho time Men In vir.
slnih have oid'faEbionod ideas sbou,
women.
"Ah. It's fino OF ,homi" paeaned
Katharine II can imagine tho men
who know about that dreadful affair
In their southern chivalry, drawing q
Gordon OF silence about the name oi
that girl with hor broken heart For
II tho loved ono OF the two. Il must
have been sansoon-not Valiant. else
he would have stayed. How terrible
\ n Aa.f. fass.. t,ftt.a a..