The state herald., 1914-07-24

In the hall below he looked about
him with satisfaction. For the last
three days he had labored tirelessly to
tit the place for the evenings event.
The parlor now showed walls trimmed
with straight-back chairs and the
grand piano-long ago put iii order.
had been relegated to the library That
instinct for the artistic, which had
made him last resort in the vexing
problems of club entertainments, had
aided him in the Courts adornment.
Out OF the kitchens Cassandra's s
egg-beating chatted like watchman's
rattle. while Aunt Daphne put the fin
ishing touches to an array of lighter
edibles destined to grace the long Ia
BILE on the rear porch. now walled in
with snow-whte muslin and hung with
candle-lusters. Under the trees Uncle
Jefferson was even then experimenting
with various punch compounds, and a
delicious aroma OF vanilla came to Va
liant's nostrils.
The Red Road, as Valiant's car
passed. was dotted with struggling pc
destrians: humble country folk who
trudged along the grassy foot-path
with no sullen regard for the swift
cars and comfortable carriage that
left them behind; sturdy barefooted
children who called shrilly after him.
and happy-go-lucky negro youths clad
in their best with Sunday shoes dan
CLING over their shoulders, slouching
regardlessly in the dust-all bound for
the same Mecca. which presently rose
before him, gateway of painted can
vas proclaiming the field to which 1t
opened Runnymede.
He halted his car at the end OF the
field and snapped leash in the bull
dogs collar. Il hate to do II, old
man." he said apologetically to Chum's
reproachful look, but I've got to.
There are to be some stunts. and in
such occasions you're apt to be con-
yinced you're the main one of the con-
testants, which might cause a mix-Hp.
Never mind: I'll anchor you where you
won't miss anything"
With the excited dog tugging be.
fore him, he threaded his way through
the press with keen exhilaration. Now
and then his gloved hand touched his
cap at a salutation. He was con.
scious of swift bird.like glances from
pretty girls. Here was none OF the
rigid straight'ahead gaze or vacant
stare OF the city boulevard: the eyes
that looked at him. frankly curious
and inquiring. were full OF easy open
comradeship Some OF the girls wore
gowns ard hats that might that morn.
ing have issued from the Rue de la
Paix: others were habited in cheap
materials. But about the latter hung
no benumbing self-consciousness. All
bore themselves alike. He was begin
ming to realize that there might really
exist straitened circumstances. even
actual poverty. which yet created no
sort OF social difference.
Opposite the canvas-covered grand
stand sat twelve small mushroom
tents. each with stan and tiny flag.
Midway lines OF iiaxen ropes stretched
between rows OF slender peeled sap.
lings from whose topt hoated fanged
streamers OF vivid bunting. A pavilion
OF purple cloth. open at the sides.
awaited for tho committee. and near
the center. a negro band was disposed
on campstools. the brass OF the wait.
ing instruments winking In the sun.
light. The stand was confused glow
OF color. OF light gauzy dresses. OF
young girls Ia pastel muslins with
flowers In their belts. picturesque hats
and slender articulate hands darting
In yiyacious gestures like white swal.
lows - the gentry from the big
houses"
The light athletic figure. towed BY
the white bulldog. drew many glances,
valiant's eyes. however. as they SVEN,
the seats. were looking for but one.
and at first yainly. He felt a quick
pang OF disappointment Perhaps she
would not comet Perhaps her mother
was still W. Perhaps-but then sud.
denly his heart beat high. for he saw
her In the lower tier. with n group of
young people. He could not have told
" bhh hh' Noi't hhNt lHht u WIS ol tott
Murillo blue with hat whose down.
curved brim was wound with shaded
plume Of the same tint. Her mother
was not with her. She was not look.
ing his way MS he passed-her arms
at the moment being held out In nm
adorable gesture toward n littlo child
In smiling matron's lnp-and bu,
single glance was vouchsafcd TO him
before tho major seized upon him and
bore him TO the purple pavilion. for he
was one Of the committee.
but for this distraction. he might
have seen. entering the stand with the
Chalmers Just as the band struck up
a delicious whirl Of pixie" the two
strangers whom the doctor had OBJ.
served nm hour before ms they whlrlcd
by the Morrywoathcr Mason house be.
hind the judges grays. Sllas Fargo
might have passed In amy gathering
for tho unobtruaiyo city man. Rathn.
rinc was noticeable anywhere. and
today her tall willowy figure In It's
champagne color lingerie gown and ha,
garniahcd with bronze and gold this.