The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1914-10-06
Copyright, 1912, by Bobbs-Merrill Co
CHAPTER XVII.

Tho Ambush.

scent and presently the driveway re-
sounded to rolling wheels and the
voices of negro drivers, and the house
entrance jostled with groups, muff1ed
In loose carriage-wraps, silken cloaks
and light overcoats. calling tired but
laughing farewells.
Katharine, on the step, found her
self looking into Valiant's eyes. How
can / tell you how much / have en-
joyed 1t all?"' she said. I've stayed
till the very last minute-which Is
something for ones fourth season!
And now, goodby. for we are off tomor-
row for Hot Springs"
Her father had long ago betaken
himself homeward, and the big three
seated surrey-holding "sfx 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
their 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
Off
The way was not long, and Katha-
rine had need of dispatch IL 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 /
can scarcely believe him the same
John Valiant I've danced with hun
dred times in New York He's been
here such 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 If he were quite one of
yourselves"
Shirley smiled enchantingly. why,
yes" she said, maybe it seems odd to
outsiders. But, you see, with us 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 it. It's
500 English, somehow"
rs it," said Shirley. 81 never
thought of 1t. But perhaps it seems
go We have the old houses and the
old names and think of them, no doubt
In the same way"
What sad life his father hadi"
pursued Katharine dreamily. You
know all about the duel, of course?"
Shirley shrank imperceptibly now
The subject touched Valiant so closely
1t seemed almost as If 1t belonged to
him and to her alone-not thing to
be fiippantly touched on. YES" she
said somewhat slowly, every one here
knows Of It."
mo doubt 1t has been almost forgot
coming must naturally have revamped
the old story. What was it about
the quarrel? A love-affair?''
tits SO long ago." murmured Shir-
ley. Il suppose some one could ten
Ii they would"
Major Bristow, perhaps" conjec-
tured Katharine thoughtfully.
He was one of the seconds" admit
ted Shirley unhappily. But by COM
mon consent that side of 1t wasn't
talked OF at the time Men in Vir-
ginia have old-fashioned ideas about
women. :"
"Ah, it's fine of them!" paeaned
Katharine. Il can imagine the men
who knew about that dreadful affair,
In their southern chivalry, drawing a
Gordon of silence about the name of
that girl with her broken heart. For
Ii 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 a way.
1t was quickly ended for him.
but the poor woman was left to bear it
all the years. / fancy she would never
wholly get over 1t, 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 a while,
too. A woman must make life for
herself. you know. II she lives here,
1t will be sad for her. this opening of
AAC Oiu ny JOun COiuAA6.
And looking SO like his father"
Katharine paused. There was a kind
Of exhilaration In this subtle batting.
Shirley stirred uneasily, and in the
glfmpsing 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
picturing 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 1t. dreading the pain
ful memory 1t muss thrust upon her.
Suppose"-Katharine' 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 q slow smile. + had