The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-05-26

the majors bass.
Whom do you reckon she'll choose
to marry?"
Chilly Lusk. OF course. The boys
been IL love with her since they were
In bibs. And hs comes as near being
fit for her as anybody"
"Hump!" said the other sardonical
ly. NO man ever saw was half good
enough for good woman. But good
women marry Just the same. 1t isn't
Lusk. used to think it would be,
but I've got a pair Of eyes in my
head, II you haven't It's young Val
liant"
The pearl fan twisted in Katha-
rine's fingers. What she had guessed
was an open secret, then!
The major made an exclamation that
had the effect of coming after jaw
dropped silence. IL never thought
of that!"
The other resumed slowly, some
what bitterly, it seemed to the girl
listening. EFF her mother was in love
with Sassoon-"
Katharine's heart beat fast and then
stood STILL Sassoon! That was the
name of the man Valiant's father had
killed IN that old duel of which Judge
Chalmers had told! IF her mother
Shirley Dandridge's mother-"was in
love with Sassoon!" Why"
WAS she?"
The majors query held sharpness
that seemed almost appeal She was
conscious that the other had faced
about abruptly.
tive always believed SO, certainly.
| If she had loved Valiant, would she
have thrown him over merely because
he broke his promise not to be party
to quarrel?
"You think not?" said the major
husxIy.
Not under the circumstances. Val
liant was forced into it. No gentleman
at that day, could have declined the
meeting. He could have explained II
to Judith's satisfaction-a woman
doesn't need much evidence to justify
the man she's in love with. He must
have written her-he couldn't have
gone away without that-and If she
had loved him, she would have called
him back"
/ The major made no answer. Katha
rine saw a cigar fall unheeded upon
the grass, where It lay glowing like 9
panther's eye
The other had risen now, his stoop
ed figure bulkfng in the moonlight
| Go Cd he ND or IN
ed: 81 loved Beauty Valiant" he said
land his son is his son to me-but
have to think of Judith, too. She faint
ed, Bristow, when she saw him-Shir
ley told me about it. Her mother has
made her think it was the scent Of the
roses! He's his fathers living image
and he's brought the past back witt
him. Every sound of his voice, every
sight of his face, will be separate
stab! Oh, his mere presence will be
enough for Judith to bear. But witt
her heart in the grave with Sassoon
what would love between Shirley and
young Valiant mean to her? Think o
It'll"
He broke off, and there was blanl
VI oAAOASC, III WAiSh hO uAhO0 wall
almost a sigh. Then Katharine saw
him reach the bench with a singh
stride and drop his hand on the bowet
shoulder.
"Bristow!" he said bruskly. Your
ill! This COMPOUNDED philandering a
your time of life"
The majors face looked ashy pale
but he got up with laugh. mot /,
he said; II was never better in m,
life! We've had our mouthful of all
Come on back to the house."
Not much!" grunted the other. ctr
going where we both ought to hav
been hours ago." He threw away hi
cigar and stalked down the path int
the darkness.
The major stood looking after hir
till he had disappeared, then suddenl
dropped on the bench and covered hi
face. Something like a groan burs
= from him.
my Godl" he said, and his voic
came to Katharine with quaver {
: age and suffering-very different frol
the jovial accents of the ballroom
/ were only sure it was Sassoon!"
l. Presently he rose, and went slowl
toward the lighted doorway.
T (TO BE CONTINUED)