The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-03-28
But why should he go away?"

really loved the other man. II so, she
couldn't have borne seeing Valiant
afterward.' She paused with a little
laugh. "E.ut then," she said, lit may
have been nothing so romantic. Va
liants grandfather, who was known as
DevilJohn. is said to have called d
man out because he rode past him
on the wrong side. Our ancestors in
Virginia, I'm afraid, didn't stand on
ceremony when they felt uppish."
He did not smile. He was looking
out once more over the luminous
stretch Of fields, his side-face towards
her. Curious and painful questions
We're running through his brain. With
an effort, he thrust these back and re-
called his attention to what she was
saying.
You wonder, ! suppose, that we
feel as we do toward these old estates,
and set store by them, and-yes, and
brag OF them insufferably as we do.
But it's In our blood. You Northern
ers think we're desperately con-
ceited," she smiled, "but it's true.
We're still as proud Of our land, and
Its old, old places, and love them as
we'll as our ancestors ever did. Do
you wonder we resent their passing
to people who don't care for them in
the Southern way?"
but suppose the newcomers do
care for theA?"
Her lips curled. "A young million.
aire who has lived all his life in New
York, to care for Damory Court! A
youth ldiotically rich, brought up in a
superheated atmosphere of noise and
money!"
He started uncontrollably. So that
was What she thought! He felt him.
self flushing. He had wondered what
would be his impression of the neigh
borhood and its people; their possible
opinion of himself had never occurred
to him.
You think there's no chance of his
choosing to stay here because he
actually likes it?"
Not the slightest" she said indif-
! ferently.
You are so certain of this without
ever having seen him."
She glanced at him covertly, an
noyedly sensible of the impropriety
or the discussion. since the man dis
cussed was certainly his patron. may
be his friend. But his insistence had
reused certain balky wilfulness that
would have it's way. TITS true I've
never seen him." she said, "but I've
read about him hundred times in the
Sunday supplements. He's a regular
feature Of the high-roller section. His
idea of good time is a dog-banquet
at Sherrys. Why, girl told me once
I that there was cigarette named after
hirl-the Vanity Valiant"
Isn't thar beside the point? Be.
cause he has been an idler, must he
necessarily lie a-vandal?"
She laughed again. HE wouldn't
call it vandalism. He'd think il de-
cided improvement to make Damory
Court as frantically different as possi-
Bile. SUPPOSE he'll erect a glass
cupola and {. porte-cochere, all up-to-
date and var lishy, and put orchid hot.
houses where the wilderness garden
was, and a modern marble cupid in
stead Of the summer-house, and lay
out kite-shaped track"
Everything that was impulsiye and
explosive in John Valiant's nature
came out with bang. moi" he
cried, whatever else he is, he's not
such preposterous ass as that"
She faced him squarely now. Her
eyes were sparkling. Since you know
him SO intin ately and so highly ap-
prove of him
mo. no." hs interrupted. "You mis-.
take me. I shouldn't try to justify
him" His flush had risen to the roots
of his brown hair, but he did not
lower his gaze. Now the red color
slowly ebbed, leaving him pale. HE
has been an idler-that's true enough
and till a week ago he was idiotic.
ally rich But his idling is over now.
AT this moment, except for this one
property. he Is little better than q
beggar."
She had taken a hasty step or two
back from him, and her eyes were now
nxed on his with dawning half-fear.
ful question In them
Till the failure of the Valiant Cor.
poration. he had never heard Of Da-
mory Court. much less been aware
that he owned it. 1t wasn't because
he loved it that he came here-no!
How could 1t be? He had never set
foot in Virginia in his mortal life."
She put up her hands to her throat
with a start. Gamer" she echoed,
Camel"
(TO be Continued