The Irish standard., 1914-04-11


winding path to a bench at some dis
lance in the shrubbery. Here the
smiling mask slipped from her face
and with a shiver she dropped her hot
face in her hands.
There were no tears. The wave
that was yelling over her was one Of
bitter humiliation. She had shot her
bolt and missed-she, Katharine Far.
go! For three years she had held
John Valiant, Economically speaking in
the hollow Of her shapely hand. Now
she had all but thrown herself at his
feet-and he had turned away to this
flame-haired, vivid girl whom he had
not known as many months!
Heavy footballs all at once approach
ed her-two men were coming from
the house. There was the splitting
crackle Of match, and as she peered
out, its red flare lighted the massive
face and floating hair Of Major Bris
tow. His companions face was in the
shadow. She waited, thinking they
would pass; but to her annoyance
when she looked again, they had seat
ed themselves on a bench few PAGES
away.
To be found incoming in the shrub
berry like a schoolgirl did not please
her, but it seemed there was no re-
course, and she had half arisen, when
the majors gruff-voiced companion
spoke a name that caused her to sit
down abruptly.
"Bristow. shirley's magnificent
girl"
Finest in seven countless" agreed
the majors bass.
Whom do you reckon she'll choose
to marry?"
Chilly Lusk, of course. The boys
been in love with her since they were
in bibs. And he comes as near being
at for her as anybody"
"Hump!" said the other sardonical
ly. mo nan ever saw was half good
enough for good woman. But good
women marry just the same. 1t isn't
Lusk. used to think it would be,
but I've got pair Of eyes in my
head, II you haven't. It's young Val
liant"
The pearl fan twisted in Katha.
rine's fingers. What she had guessed
was an open secret, then!
The major made an exclamation that
had the effect of coming after a jaw.
dropped silence. I'll never thought
Of that"
The other resumed slowly. some.
what bitterly, it seemed to the girl
listening. III her mother was in love
with sassoon-"
Katharine's heart beat fast and then
stood still. sassoon! That was the
name of the man Valiant's father had
killed in that old duel Of which Judge
Chalmers had told! IF her mother
Shirley Dandridge's mother-"was in
love with sassoon!" Why"
"Was she?''
The majors query held a sharpness
that seemed almost appeal. She was
conscious that the other had faced
about abruptly.
I've always believed SO, certainly.
II she had loved Valiant, would she
have thrown him ever merely because
he broke his promise not to be q party
to . quarrel?"
you think mott" said the major
husxny.
mot under the circumstances. Val.
liant was forced into 1t. No gentleman.
at that day, could have declined the
meeting. He could have explained 1t
to Judith's satisfaction-a woman
doesn't need much evidence to Justify
the man she's in love with. He must
have written her-he couldn't have
gone away without that-and If she
had loved him, she would have called
him back"
The major made no answer. Katha-
rtne saw cigar fall unheeded upon
the grass. where it lay glowing like a
panther's eye.
The other had risen now, his stoop-
ed figure bulking in the moonlight.
His voice sounded harsh and strain
ed: Il loved Beauty Valiant" he said,
"and his son is his son to me-but
have to think of Judith, too. She faint
ed, Bristow, when she saw him-Shir-
ley told me about it. Her mother has
made her think it was the scent Of the
roses! He's his fathers living image,
and he's brought the past back with
him. Every sound of his voice, every
sight Of his face, will be a separate
stab! oh. his mere presence will be
enough for Judith to bear. But with
her heart in the grave with Sassoon,
what would love between Shirley and
young Valiant mean to her? Think Of
it,"
He broke off, and there was blank
of silence, in which he turned with
almost sigh. Then Katharine saw
him reach the bench with q single
stride and drop his hand on the bowed
shoulder.
"Bristow!" he said bruskly. you're
Ill! This COMPOUNDED philandering at
your time of life"
. The majors face looked ashy pale,
but he got up with a laugh. mot L."
he said; II was never better in my
life! We've had our mouthful Of air.
Come on back to the house."
mot much!" grunted the other. I'm
going where w both ought to have
been hours ago." He threw away his
cigar and stalked down the path into
the darkness.
The major stood looking after him
till he had disappeared, then suddenly