Alma record., 1914-03-26

,
with snowEhlte muslin and hung with
candle-lustdrs. Under the trees Uncle
Jefferson was even then experimenting
with various punch compounds, and a
delicious aroma of vanilla came to Va
liant's nostrils.
Z
The Red Road, as Valiant's car
passed, was dotted with struggling pc
destrians: humble country folk who
trudged along the grassy foot-path
with no sullen regard for the swift
cars and comfortable carriage that
left them behind; sturdy barefooted
children who called shrilly after him.
and happy-go-lucky negro youths clad
in their best with Sunday shoes dan
Cling over their shoulders, slouching
regardlessly In the dust-all bound for
the same Mecca, which presently rose
before him, a gateway OF painted can
vas proclaiming the field to which ii
opened Runnymede.
He halted his car at the end of the
field and snapped a leash in the bull
dogs collar Il hate to do ii, old
man." he said apologetically to Chum's
reproachful look, but I've got to.
There are to be some stunts, and in
such occasions you're apt to be con-
vinced you're the n ain one Of the con-
testants, which might cause a mix-up.
Never mind; I'll anchor you where you
won't miss anything"
With the excited dog tugging be-
fore him, he threaded his way through
the press with keen exhilaration. Now
and then his gloved hand touched his
cap at salutation. He was con-
scious of swift bird-like glances from
pretty girls. Here was none Of the
rigid straight-ahead gaze or vacant
stare of the city boulevard; the eyes
that looked at him, frankly curious
and inquiring, were full of easy open
comradeship. Some Of the girls wore
gowns and hats that might that morn
ing have issued from the Rue de la
Paix; others were habited in cheap
materials. But about the latter hung
no benumbing selfconsciousness. All
ming to realize that there might really
exist straitened circumstances, even
actual poverty, which yet created no
sort of social difference.
Opposite the canvas-covered grand
stand sat twelve small mushroom
tents, each with staff and tiny flag.
Midway lines of flaXen ropes stretched
between rows of slender peeled sap
lings from whose tops floated fanged
streamers OF vivid bunting. A pavilion
Of purple cloth, open at the sides,
awaited for the committee, and near
the center, negro band was disposed
on camp-stools, the brass of the wait
ing instruments winking in the sun
light The stand was a confused glow
OF color, of light gauzy dresses, Of
young girls in pastel muslins with
flowers in their belts, picturesque hats
and slender articulate hands darting
in vivacious gestur IS like white swal-
lows - the gentr- from the big
houses"
The light athletic figure, towed by
the white bulldog, drew many glances.
Valiant's eyes, however, as they swept
the seats, were looking for but one,
and at first vainly. He felt a quick
pang of disappointment. Perhaps she
would not comet Perhaps her mother
was still i'll. Perhaps-but then sud
denly his heart beat high, for he saw
her in the lower tier, with group of
young people. He could not have told
what she wore, save that it was Of soft
Murillo blue with hat who's down
curved brim was wound with shaded
plume of the same tint. Her mother
was not with her. She was not look
ing his way as he passed-h1r arms
at the moment being held out in an
adorable gesture toward a little child
in a smiling matrons lap-ani but a
single glance was vouchsafed to hip