Alma record., 1914-04-02


preserves! In the memory of those
other knights who practiced the tour
ney in it's old-time glory! In the sight
of your Queen of Beauty! ! charge
you, Southern gentlemen, to joust with
that valor. fairness and truth which
are the enduring glories of the knight
hood of Virginia!"
Over the ringing applause, Nancy
Chalmers looked at him with little
smile, quizzical yet soft. Dear old
major!" she whispered to Betty Page.
How he loves the center of the stage!
And he's effective, too. Thirty years
ago, father says, he might have been
anyJning ne wanIed to-even United
States Senator. But he would never
leave the state Not that blame him
for that" she added; I'D rather be a
church-mouse In Virginia than Cresus'
daughter anywhere else"
The twelve horsemen were now sit
ting their restive mounts in a group
at one end of the lists Two mounted
monitors had stationed themselves on
stood behind the upright from whose
arm was suspended the silver ring.
The herald blew a blast, calling the
title of the first OF the knights. In
stantly, with lance at rest, the latter
galloped at full speed down the lists.
There was sharp musical clash, and
as he dashed on, the ring flew the
full length of its tether and swung
back, whirling swiftly. 1t had been a
close thrust, for the iron pike-point
had smitten its rim. A cheer went up,
under cover of which the rider looped
back outside the lists to his former
position.
In an upper tier of the stand a spec
tator made cup of his hands. THE
Knight of the Golden Spur against the
field" he called. What odds?"
Five to one Spotteswood," voice
answered.
Ten dollars" announced the first.
Good" And both made memoran.
DUN on their cuffs:
A second time the trumpet sounded,
and the Knight of Castlewood flashed
ingloriously down the roped aisle-a
miss.
Again and again the clear note rang
out and mounted figure plunged by,
and presently, in burst of cheering,
the herald proclaimed THE knight of
the Black Eagle-one!" and Chilly
Lusk, in old-rose doublet and inky
II, x1itI cd
ring upon his pike.
No simple thing, approaching leis-
urely and afoot, to send that tapering
point straight to the tiny mark. But
at headlong gallop, astride a blooded
horse straining to take the bit, deed
requiring a nice eye, perfect seat
and an unwavering arm and hand!
Those knights who looped back with
their pixies thus braceleted had spent
long hours in practice and each rode
as naturally as he breathed; yet more
than once a horse SHE'D in mid-course
and at the too-eager thrust of the spur
bolted through the ropes. Valiant
made his first essay-and missed
with the blood singing in his ears.
The ring flew from his pike, catching
him a swinging blow on the temple in
its rebound, but he scarcely felt it. AS
he cantered back he heard the majors
bass pitting him against the field.
And then, suddenly, stand and field
all vanished. He saw only the long
level rope-lined lane with it's twinkling
mid-air point. An eXhilaration caught
him at the feel of the splendid horse
flesh beneath him-that sense Of one
ness with the creature he bestrode
which the instructive horseman knows.
He lifted his lance and hefted it, seek
ing it's absolute balance, feeling it's
point as a fencer with his rapier
When again the blood-red sash
streamed away the herald's cry,
Knight of the Crimson Rose-One!"
next joust also, Valiant returned with
the gage upon his lance. Two had
gone to the Champion of Castlewood
and two to scattering riders. When
Valiant won his fourth the grand stand
thundered with applause.
The trumpet again pealed it's silvery
proclamation. Judge Chalmers was on
his feet. Fifty to ten on the Crimson
Rose" he cried. This time, however,
there were no takers. He called again,
but none heard him; the last tilts were
too absorbing.
Where had John Valiant learned
that trick of the loose wrist and in
flexible thrust but at the fencing club?
Where that subconscious management
of the rein, that nice gage of speed
and distance, but on the polo field?
The old sports stood him now in good
stead. why, he has a seat like q
centaur!" exclaimed the judge-praise
indeed in community where riding
was a passion and horseflesh fetish!
"Oh, dear!" mourned Nancy Chal-
mers. I've bet six pairs of gloves on
Quint Carter. Never mind; If it has to
be anybody else. I'd rather it were
Mr.. Valiant. It's about time Damory
Court got something after Rip-Van-
Winkling 1t for thirty years. Besides,
he's giving us the danca and I lova