The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-06-05
CHAPTER xxi.
A Virginian Runnymede.

June in Virginia is something to
remember" Today the master OF
Damory Court deemed this true say
ing. For the air was like wine, and
the drifting white wings Of cloud, piled
above the amethystine ramparts OF the
far Blue Ridge, looked down upon
| violet world bound in green and silver.
In his bedroom Valiant stood look
ing into the depths Of an ancient ward
robe. Presently he took from hook
a suit of white flannel in which he ar
rayed himself. Over his soft shirt ne
knotted pale gray scarf. The modish
white suit and the rolling Panama
| threw out in fine contrast the Keen
sun-tanned face and dark brown eyes.
In the hall below he looked about
him with satisfaction. For the last
three days he had labored tirelessly to
| fit the place for the evenings event.
The parlor now showed walls trimmed
with straight-back chairs and the
grand piano-long ago put in order
had been relegated to the library. That
instinct for the artistic, which had
made him last resort in the vexing
problems of club entertainments, had
aided him in the Courts adornment.
Out Of the kitchens Cassandras
egg beating chatted like watchmans
rattle, while Aunt Daphne put the fin
ishing touches to an array OF lighter
edibles destined to grace the long ia
BILE on the rear porch, now walled IN
with snow-white muslin and hung with
candle-lusters Under the trees Uncle
| Jefferson was even then experimenting
with various punch compounds, and a
delicious aroma of vanilla came to Va
liants nostrils.
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 happysgo-lIcky 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 1t
opened Runnymede.
He halted his car at the end Of the
field and snapped leash in the bull
dogs collar. II hate to do 1t, 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-
WINGED you're the main one OF the con-
testants, which might cause mix-up.
Never mind; I'll anchor you where you
won't miss anything"
With the excited dog Juggling be-
fore him, he threaded his way through
the press with keen exhilaration. NOW
and then his gloved hand touched his
cap at a 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 inuuiring, 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 circumstances. All
bore themselves alike. He was begin
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 fiaxen 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 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 gestures like white swal-
lows - the gentry 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, we're looking for but one,
and at first vainly. He felt a quick
pang of disappointment. Perhaps she
would not come! 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 1t was of soft
Murillo blue with hat whose 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-her arms
at the moment being held out in an
adorable gesture toward a little child