The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-15

"SA~A0 S"O moJoI Scizeu upon MIN ana
bore him to the purple pavilion, for he
was one of the committee.
Eut for this distraction, he might
nave 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 az they whirled
by the Merryweather Mason house be-
hind the judges grays Silas Fargo
might have passed in auy gathering
for the unobtrusive city man. Katha.
rine was noticeable anywhere, and
today her tall willowy figure in it's
champasne-color lingerie gown and hat
garnished with bronze and gold this
ties. setting In relief her ivory
statuesque face, drew a wave of whis-
pered comment which left q sibilant
wake behind him. The party made
picturesque group as they now dis
posed themselves, Katharine's color.
less loveliness contrasting with the
eager sparkle of pretty Nancy Chal-
mers and the gipsy.like beauty of
Betty Page.
You call 1t tournament. don't
you?" asked Katharine of the Judge.
YES" he replied. TITS a kind of
contest in which twelve riders COM
pete for the privilege Of naming
Queen Of Beauty. There's a ball to.
night, at which the lucky lady is
crowned. Those little te.. 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 we're decorated with
fringes Of various hues. In the center
of the roped lists, directly in front of
the stand, others we're planting up
right in the ground a tall pole from
whose top projected q horizontal arm
like slender gallows. From this was
suspended 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 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 off the greatest number of the
twelve Is the victor. The whole thing
Is a 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 Interestingly" exclaimed Kath-
arine. and turning, swept the stand
with her lorgnette. II suppose all the
county's F. +. VS. are here" she said
laughingly to Nancy Chalmers. Ive
often wondered, by the way. what be-
came OF the Second Families of Vir-
ginia"
"Oh. they've mostly emigrated
North" answered Nancy. 1.-THE ones
that are left are all ancient. There
arc 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"
And now over the futtering stand
and the crowd about the barriers, a
stir was discernible. Katharine looked
again at the field. who is that splen-
did old man giving directions? The
one who looks like a lion. He's com.
Ing this way, now"
That's Major Montague Bristow,"
said the Judge. Hes been master of
the heralds for years. The tsurna-
ment could hardly happen without the
major"
I'm sure I'd like him." she an
swered. What lovely girl he is
talking to-"
1t was Shirley who had beckoned
the major from the lists. She was
leaning over the railing. "Why has
Ridgeley Pendleton left?" she asked
In a low voice. Isn't he one Of the
twelve?"
He was. But he's i'll. He wasn't
feeling up to 1t when he came, but
he didn't give up till half an hour
ago. Well have to get along with
eleven knights"
She made an exclamation Of dismay.
Poor Ridge! And what a pity!
There have never been less than the
full number. 1t will spoil the royal