Alma record., 1914-03-19
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ILLUSTRATED ~ LAUREN STOUT
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SYNOPSIS.
CHAPTER I-John Valiant. rich So
ciety favorite. suddenly discovers that the
Valiant corporation. which his father
founded and which was the principal
CHAPTER HE voluntarily turns
over his private fortune to the receiver
for the corporation.
CHAPTER III-Hm entire remaining
possessions consist of an old motor car,
white bull dog and Damory court. q
neglected estate in Virginia.
CHAPTER Iv-He learns that this es-
tate came into the family by royal grant
and has been in the possession Of the
Valiants ever since.
CHAPTER Won the way to Damory
court he meets Shirley Dandridge. an au-
burn-haired beauty, and decides that he
is going to like Virginia immensely.
CHAPTER vI-An old negro tells Shir-
ley's fortune and predicts great trouble
Tor her on account of man.
CHAPTER vII-Uncle Jefferson an old
negro. takes Valiant to Damory court.
CHAPTER vIII-shiriey's mother. Mrs.
"reminiscences during which IL is revealed
that the major. Valiant's father. and a
man named Sassoon, We're rivals for the
hand OF Mrs. cambridge In her youth.
Sassoon and Valiant fought a duel on her
account in which the former was killed.
CHAPTER TX-vaiiant finds Damory
court overgrown with weeds and creep
ers and the buildings In a very much
neglected condition. Uncle Jefferson and
his wife, Aunt Daphne. are engaged as
servants.
CHAPTER X-Valiant explores his an
cestral home. Ho IS surprised by a fox
hunting party which invades his estate.
He recognizes Shirley at the head Of the
party.
CHAPTER XI-He gives sanctuary to
the corneTed fox. Gossips discuss the ad-
vent OF the new owner and recall the
tragedy in which the elder Valiant took
part
CHAPTER XII-Valiant decides to re-
habilitate Damory court and make the
land produce living for him.
CHAPTER XIII-He meets Shirley. who
has been gathering flowers on the Valiant
estate, and reveals his identity TO her.
CHAPTER XIv-vallant saves Shirley
from the bite of a snake which bites him.
ley sucks the poison from the wound and
saves his life.
CHAPTER Xv-Shrley tells her mother
of the incident and the latter Is strangely
moved at hearing that a Valiant is again
living at Damory court
CHAPTER XVI-Valiant learns some
OF the history of his family from Doctor
Southall and Major Bristow
CHAPTER XVII-He learns for the
first time that his father left Virginia on
account OF a duel in which Doctor South
RriGfnNU nnfad aC ia n
err s seconds.
CHAPTER XvIII---valiant and Shirley
become good frien,is. Mrs. cambridge
faints when she first meets Valiant.
sheer edge of the turf. She swayed
toward him and he caught her feel
ing for sharp instant the adorable
nearness of her body II ridged all his
skin with creeping delight. She re-
covered her footing with an exclama-
ton, and turned back somewhat abb
ruptly to the porch where she seated
herself on the step, drawing her filmy
skirt aside to make a place for him.
There was a moment of silence which
he broke.
That exquisite serenade you were
playing! You know the words, OF
course"
They are more lovely, if possible,
than the score. Do you care for
poetry?"
I've always loved it." he said. "I've
been reading some lately-a little old
fashioned book / found at Damory
Court It's Lucille Do you know it?''
Yes. It's my mothers favorite."
He drew it from his pocket. See,
I've got It here. It's marked, too"
He opened it, to close it instantly
not, however, before she had put out
her hand and laid it. palm down, on
the page. THAT rose! oh, let me
have it,"
Never" he protested. Look here.
When | put it between the leaves, I
did 80 at random. ! didn't see till
now that had opened it at marked
passage"
Let us read it," she said.
He leaned and held the leaf to the
light from the doorway and the two
heads bent together over the text.
A sound fell behind them and both
turned A slight figure. in a soft gray
gown with old lace at the throat, stood
in the doorway behind them. John
Valiant sprang to his feet
"Ah, Shirley, l thought | heard
voices. Is that you, Chilly?"
It's not Mr.. Lusk, mother" said
Shirley Its our new neighbor. Mr..
Valiant
AS he bent over the frail hand. muir
muring the conventional words that
presentations are believed to require,
Mrs. cambridge sank into a deep
| cushioned chair. Wont you sit
DOWN." she said. He noticed that she
did not look directly at him, and that
her face was as pallid as her hair.
Thank you," said John Valiant, and
resumed his place on the lower step.
Shirley, who had again seated her
self, suddenly laughed. and pointed to
the book which lay between them.