The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-04-07

times"
Mrs. Mason took OF her glasses and
wiped them carefully. Il saw 1t when
my husband died." she said softly.
"That was before you came. They
were old friends. you know. He was
sick almost year, and the doctor
used to carry him out here on the
porch every day in his arms, like
child. And then, when the typhus
came that summer among the negroes.
he quarantined himself with them-the
only white man there-and treated
and nursed them and buried the dead
with his own hands, till it was
stamped out That's the real Doctor
Southall."
The rockers vibrated in silence for q
moment. Then Mrs. Clifford said: Il
never knew before that he had any
thing to do with that duel Was he
one of Valiants seconds?''
YES" said Mrs. Mason; "and the
major was the other. I was a little
girl when it happened. can barely
remember it, but it made big sensar
ton"
And over love-affair!" exclaimed
Mrs. Clifford in the tone of one to
whom romance was daily bread.
81 suppose\it was"
For a time the conversation lam
guished. Then Mrs. Clifford asked sud-
denly: Who do you suppose she
could have been?-the girl behind that
old Valiant affair.""
Mrs. Mason shook her head. mo
one knows for certain-unlesa. Of
course, the major or the doctor, and I
wouldn't question either of them for
worlds. You see, people had stopped
gossiping about it before was out Of
school. There's Major Bristow at the
gate now. And the doctors Just COM
ing out again"
The major wore a suit Of white
linen, with a broad-brimmed straw
hat, and a pink was in his button
hole, bat to the observing, his step
might have seemed to lack an accus-
toned jauntiness. AS he came up the
path the doctor opened his Office.
How do you feel this morning. Ma
ior''
"Feelr' rumbled the major; -the
way any gentleman ought to feel this
time of the morning, sab. Like hell,
sab"
The doctor bent his gaze on the
hilarious blossom in the others lapel.
eff l were you, Bristow," he said
scathingly, 81 reckon I'd quit gafivant-
ing around to bridgehghts with per-
fumery on my handkerchief every
evening. It's the devil Of an example
to the young"
The rockingchafrs behind the
screening vines became motionless,
and the ladies exchanged surreptitious
smiles. II the two gentlemen were
aware Of each others sterling quail
ties, their mutual appreciation was In
inverse ratio to its expression, and,
as the Elucinian mysteries, cloaked
before the world. In public the doctor
was wont to remark that the major
talked like a Caesar, looked like a
piano-tuner and was the only man he
had ever seen who could strut sit
ting down. Never were his gibes SO
barbed as when launched against the
majors white-waistcoated and patri-
clan calm, and conversely, never did
the majors bland suavity 80 nearly
| approach an undignified irritation as
when receiving the envenomed darts
of that accomplished cynic.
The major settled his black tie. "a
little wholesome exercise wouldn't be
bad thing for you, Doctor" he said
succinctly. You're looking shade
pasty today"
Exercised" snapped the other
viciously, as he pounded down the
steps. "Ha, ha! l suppose you exer
cise-lazying out to the Dandridges
once week for a julep, and the rest
of the time wearing out good cane-bot
toms and palm-leaf fans and cussing
at the heat. You'll go off with apo
plexy one of these days"
Il shall if they're scared enough to
call you," the major shot after him.
nettled. But the doctor did not pause
He went on down the street without
turning his head.
The major lifted his hat CALAMITY
! to the ladies, whose presence he ha(
| just observed.
DO sit down, Major" said Mrs. Gif
ford. Where's a question I'm just
dying to ask you. We've had such ar
interesting conversation. You've
heard the news, of course, that young
Mr.. Valiant is coming to Damory
Court?"
The major sat down heavily. ID the
bright light his face seemed suddenly
pale and old.
MOI" the Iady's tone was arch
Have all the rest of us really got
ahead Of you for once? Yes, it's true
There's some one there getting it to
rights Now here's the question
There was a woman, Of course, at the
bottom of the Valiant duel. I'd never
1 dream of asking you who she was
But which was it she loved. Valiant
or Sassoon?"
RLAnrED VII.