Alma record., 1914-02-26
CHAPTER XVI.
In DevlI-John's Day.


He was still sitting motionless when
there came knock at the door and 1t
opened to admit the gruf voice OF
Doctor Southall. A big form was close
behind him.
Hell. Up, I see. I took the liberty
Of bringing Major Bristow."
The master Of Damory Court came
forward-limping the least trife-and
shook hands.
Glad to know you, sah," said the
major. ALLOW me to congratulate
you; It's not every one who gets bit
ten by one of those internal mocca-
sins that lives to talk about 1t. You
must be a pet of Providence, or else
you have q cast-iron constitution.
sah."
Valiant waved his hand toward the
man of medicine, who said. II reckon
Miss Shirley was the Providence In
the case. She had sense enough to
sead for me quick and speed did It."
well, sah," thu major said, 'T
reckon under the circumstances. your
first impressions Of the section aren't
any luAu6 III u6 W OAa6 oOOot.
I'm delighted; it's hard for me to
tell how much"
Wait till you know the fool place"
growled the doctor testify. You'll
change your tune"
The major smiled genially. Don't
be taken in by the Doctors pessimism.
You'd have to get yoke Of three
year oxen to drag him out Of this
state"
1T would take as many for me-"
Valiant laughed a little. "You who
have always lived here, can scarcely
understand what | am feeling, imag-
inc. You see, l never knew till quite
recently-my childhood was largely
spent abroad, and have no near rela-
tives-that my father was a Virginian
and that my ancestors always lived
here. Why, there's a room upstairs
with the very toys they played with
when they were children! To learn
am the last link in such chain!"
"The ancestral instinct" said the
doctor. I'm glad to see that 1t means
something still, in these rotten days"
"Of course" John Valiant continued,
every one knows that he has ances-
tors. But I'm beginning to see that
what you call the ancestral instinct
needs q locality and a place. In a
way It seems to me that an old estate
like this has a soul too-a sort Of
clan or family soul that reacts on the
descendant"
Rather a Japanesy idea, isn't it?"
observed the major. But | know
what you mean. Maybe that's why old
Virginian families hang on to their
land in spite Of hell and high-water.
They count their forebears real live
people, quite capable of turning over
In their graves"
Mine are beginning to seem very
real to me. Though / don't even
know their Christian names yet. I can
Judge them by their handiwork. The
men who built Damory Court had a
sense of beauty and Of art"
And their share Of deviltry, too"
put In the doctor.
SupPOo0 bO, duuAttCu hio hOoS
AT this distance can bear even that
But good or bad. I'm deeply thankful
that they chose Virginia. Since I've
been laid up, I've been browsing in the
library here"
"A bit out of date now, I reckon"
said the major, but 1t used to pass
muster. Your grandfather was some
thing of q book-worm. He wrote q
history OF the family. didn't her
Yes I've found 1t. The Valiants
Of Virginia I'm reading the Revoiu-
tionary chapters now. It never seemed
real before-it's been only a slice Of
impersonal and rather dull history.
But the book has made It come alive.
I'm having the thrill Of the globe
trotter the first time he sees the Tow
er of London or the field Of Waterloo.
I see more than that stubble-field out
yonder; I see big wooden stockade
with soldiers In ragged bun and blue
guarding It,"
The major nodded, "Ah, yes" he
said. The Continental prison-camp.
And Just over this rise there can
see an old courthouse, and the Vir-
ginia Assembly boiling under the
golden atongue-lashing of lean raw
boned Patrick Heury. see q messen-
ger gallop up and see the members
scramble to their saddles-and then.
Tarleton and his red-coats streaming
up. too late"
WELL" commented the doctor delib-
erately. "all have to say is. don't
materialize too much to Mrs. Poly
Clifford when you meet her. She'll
have you lecturing to the Ladies'
Church Guild before you know It."
Il hope you ride. Mr.. valiantr' the
latter asked genially.
I'm fond Of It," said Valiant but
have no horse as yet"
II was thinking" pursued the ma
jor. "of the coming tournament"
Tournament"
The doctor cut in. "A ridiculous
cock-a-doodle-do which gives the young