The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-09-18
CHAPTER XVII.
The Ambush.

Not long after, from the musicians
bower the sound of Home, Sweet
Home" drifted over the poignant rose
scent, and presently the driveway re-
sounded to rolling wheels and the
voices of negro drivers, and the house
entrance jostled with groups, muffied
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 I tell you how much I have en-
joyed 1t all?" she said. 1--WE 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 "six conf 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
the 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 II that re-
vengeful weapon were to be used
which fate had put into her hands.
She wasted little time.
ut seems so strange" she said, "to
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 a short while and yet he
couldn't possibly be more at home II
he'd lived In Virginia always. And you
all treat him as II he were quite one of
yourselves"
Shirley smiled enchantingly. why,
yes" she said, maybe 1t seems odd to
outsiders. But, you see, with US Val.
liant is always Valiant. No matter
wnere he has lived, he's the son or his
father and the master of Damory
court"
That's the wonderful part Of it. It's
$3.50 English, somehow"
as it?" said Shirley. IT never
thought of 1t. But perhaps It seems
SO. We have the old houses and the
old names and think Of them, no doubt,
In the same way"
What sad life his father had!"
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 IL 1t belonged to
him and to her alone-not a thing to
be flippantiy touched on. "Yes,- she
said somewhat slowly, every one here
knows of It."
mo doubt It has been almost forgot
ten," the other continued, but Johns
coming must naturally have revamped
the old story. What was 1t about
the quarrel? A love-affair?"
TITS so long ago." murmured Shir-
ley. Il suppose some one could tell
III tney would.
Major Bristow, perhaps" conjec-
rured Katharine thoughtfully.
He was one of the seconds" admit
ted Shirley unhappily. But by com
mon consent that side OF It wasn't
talked Of at the time. Men in vir-
ginia have old-fashioned ideas about
women.
"Ah, IT'S fine Of themp paaaned
Katharine. Il can imagine the men
who knew about that dreadful affair,
in their southern chivalry, drawing
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
"a 80 nnnsa lovAr kflfod a ~xsnh = cav