The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1914-07-23
CHAPTER xxiv.-continueo.

To the %twanging OF the deft black
fingers. they passed In gorgeous array
between files OF iow.cut gowns and
fower.like faces and masculine swal.
low.tails. TO the yellow parlor. Once
there the music ceased with a splendid
crash. the eleven knights each dropped
upon one knee, the eleven ladies.in.
waiting curtsied low. and Shirley. seat
ed upon the dals. leaned her FURNISHED
head TO receive the crown. What
though the bauble was but bristol.
board. its jewelcd chasing but tinsel
and paste? On her head II glowed and
trembled. a r dladem. As Valiant
set the giittering thing on those rich
and wonderful coils. the music OF her
presence was singing a swift melody
In his blood.
His coronation address held no such
Nowery periods as would have rolled
o the majors soul He had chosen
q single paragraph he had lighted on In
an old book In the iibrary--a hlstory.of
the last Crusade In French black.let.
ter lie had translated and memorized
che archaic phrasing. keeping the
quaint feeling OF the original:
These noble knights bow In your
presence. fair lady. M their leige.
whom they know rs ven In Judgment,
as dainty In fulfilling these our acts
OF arms. and do recommend their all
unto your Good Grace In as lowly wise
as they can, o queen. In whom the
whole story OF virtue Ia written with
che language OF beauty. your eyes.
which have been only wont to discern
the bowed knees OF kneellng hearts
and. inwardly turned. found always
the heavenly solace OF a sweet mind.
see them, ready In heart and able with
hands not only TO assailing but to pre-.
vailing."
A hushed rustic OF applsuse-not
loud the merest whisper Of silken
feet and feathered fans tapped softly
testified TO a widespread appreciation.
IL was the first sight many there had
had OF John Valiant and In both looks
and manner ne fitted their best ideals.
The queens curtsey was the signal
for the music. which throbbed sudden.
iy Int" a march. and she stepped dowr
beside him. Couple after couple,
knights and ladies'. ranged behind
them, I'LL the twenty-four stood ready
for the royal quadrille. II was the old.
fashioned Isncers. hut the deliberate
strain lent the familiar measures some.
thing OF the stately effect OF the min.
uet
Quadriiles were not invented az aids
to conversation. and John Vaiiant's
and Shirley's was necessarily limited
"The decorations arc simply deli.
cious'" she said as they faced each
other briefly How did you manage
IT."
Home talent with a vengeance. I'm.
Gle Jefferson and ! did IL with our III.
tie hatchets But the roses"
They were swooped apart and Shir.
ley found herself c~urtsying to Chilly
insk. More than queen!" he said
under his breath. II had my heart
set on naming o today. reckon
I've iost my rabbit-foot,"
Opposite. In turn. BETTY Page had
slipped her dainty hand In John Val.
iants An haven't seen such a lovely
dance for yeahs!" she sighed. Isn't
Shirley too SWEET II Alb had hair like
hers. All wouldn't speak to a soul on
EARTH"
The e~Hisencies OF the figure gave no
space for answer. and presently. after
certain iabyrinthIne evolutioas. shir.
tey's eyes were gazing into his again.
How adorable you lookl" he whis.
pered. as he bowed over her hand.
How does II feel 10 be a queen'"
This little head was v made 10
wear a crown" she laughed. Queens
should be regal. Miss Fargo would
have"
The mus,o swept the rest away. but
not Tho look Of binding reproaoh he
gave her that made her heart throb
wildly an she giIded on.
The last note OF the quadrille slip
ped into a waits dreamlly slow, and
Valiant pat his arm about Shirley and
they noated away. Once before. In thu