The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1914-07-09

curved Drlm was WOunu VIII Sndueu
plume OF the same tint. Her mother
was not with her. She was not look
ing his way as he passed-her arms
at the moment being held out in an
adorable gesture toward a little child
In a smiling matron's lap-and but q
single glance was vouchsafed to him
before the 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
delicious whirl Of Dixie" the two
strangers whom the doctor had OBJ
served an hour before as they whirled
by the Merryweather Mason house be-
hind the judges grays Silas Fargo
might have passed in any gathering
for the unobtrusive city man. Katha-
rine was noticeable anywhere, and
today her tall willowy figure in its
champaSne-color lingerie gown ond hat
garnished with bronze and gold this
ties, setting in relief her ivory
statuesque face, drew wave Of whiS-
pered comment which left a sibilant
wake behind him. The party made
a picturesque group as they now dis
posed themselves, Katharine's color
less Ioveliness contrasting with the
eager sparkle of pretty Nancy Chal-
mers and the gipsy-like beauty Of
Betty Page.
You call 1t a tournament, don't
your asked Katharine Of the judge.
"Yes," he replied. TITS a kind CT
contest In which Twelve riders COM
pete for the privilege Of naming a
Queen of Beauty. There's a ball to-
night, at which the lucky lady is
crowned. Those little tents are where
the noble knights don their shining
armor. See, there go their capari-
soned chargers"
A file of negroes was approaching
the tents, each leading horse whose
saddle and bride were decorated with
fringes of various hues. In the center
of the roped lists, directly in front OF
the stand, others were planting up
right In the ground tall pole from
whose top projected horizontal arm
like a slender gallows. From this was
suspended a cord at whose end swung
tiny object that whirled and gilt
tered in the sun.
The Judge explained "On the end
of the cord is a silver ring. at which
the knights tilt with lances. Twelve
rings are used. The pike-points are
made to fit them, and the knight who
carries CT the greatest number OF the
twelve is the victor. The whole thing
is custom as ancient as Virginia
a relic, of course, Of the old jousting
of the feudal ages. The ring Is sup
posed to represent the device on the
boss of the shield, At which the lance
thrust was aimed"
How interesting" exclaimed Kath-
arine, and turning, swept the stand
with her lorgnette. Il suppose all the
county's F. F. VS. are here" she said
laughingly to Nancy Chalmers. I've
often wondered, by the way, what be-
came OF the Second Families of Viz
ginia."
"Oh, they've mostly emigrated
North" answered Nancy. THE ones
that are left are all ancient. There
are families here that don't admit
they ever began at all"
Silas Fargo shook his stopped shoul-
ders with laughter. up North" he
said genially, we've got regular fac
tories that turn out ready-made family
trees for anybody who wants to roost
in one"
10
And now over the futtering stand
and the crowd about the barriers, q
stir was dlscernible. Katharine looked
again at the field. who Is that splen'
did old man giving directions? The
one who looks like lion. He's com
ing this way, now"
That's Major Montague Bristow,'
said the Judge. He's been master oi
the heralds for years. The tourna
ment could hardly happen without the
major"
I'm sure I'd like him." she an
swered. What a lovely girl he Ii
talking tot"
1t was Shirley who had beckonet
the major from the lists. She wal
leaning over the railing. why ha'
Ridgeley Pendleton left?" she askeC
In a low voice. Isn't he one Of tn
twelve?"
HE was. But he's i'll. He wasn'
feeling up to it when he came. bu
he didn't give up till half an hou
ago. Well have to get along will
eleven knights"
She made an exclamation Of dismay
Poor Ridge! And what q pity
There have never been less than tn
full number. It will spoil the roya
Quadrille tonight, too. Why doesn'
the committee choose some one In hi
place? Listen. Why not ask Mr.. Va
liant? He Is our host tonight II