Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-07-23
CHAPTER XVII.
The Ambush.

Not long after, from the musicians
bower the sound of Home, Sweet
Home" dTifted over the poignant rose
scent, and presently the driveway re-
sounded to rolling wheels and the
voices of negro drivers, and the house
entrance jostled with groups, muff1ed
in loose carTiage-wraps, siIken cIoaks
and light overcoats, calling tired but
laughing farewells.
Katharine, on the step, found her
self looking into VaIiant's eyes. How
can l tell you how much I have en-
joyed it alI?" she said. 1--WE stayed
till the very last minute-which is
something for ones fourth season!
And now, goodby, for we are off tomor-
row for Hot Springs"
Her father had long ago betaken
himself homeward, and the big three
seated surrey-holding six comf'table
and nine fumiIiah." in the phrase of
Lige the coachman-had returned for
the rest: Judge Chalmers, the two
younger girls and Shirley. Katharine
greeted the latter with a charming
smile. What more natural than that
she should find herself straightway on
the rear seat with royalty? The two
girls safely disposed in the middle, the
judge climbed up beside the driver,
who cracked his whip and they were
off.
The way was not long, and Katha-
rine had need of dispatch if that re-
vengeful weapon were to be used
which fate had put into her hands.
She wasted little time
1T seems so strange" she said ito
find our host in such surroundings! I
can scarcely believe him the same
John Valiant I've danced with a hun
dred times in New York. He's been
here such a short while and yet he
| couldn't possibly be more at home if
| he'd lived in Virginia always. And you
all treat him as if he we're quite one of
| yourselves"
Shirley smiled enchantingly. why,
| yes" she said, maybe it seems odd to
outsiders. But, you see, with US a Val
| liant is always a Valiant No matter
where he has lived, he's the son OF his
father and the master of Damory
court"
That's the wonderful part of it. It's
$3.50 English, somehow"
rs it?" said Shirley. st never
thought of 1t. But perhaps it seems
so. We have the old houses and the
old names and think of them, no doubt,
| in the same way"
What a sad life his father had!''
pursued Katharine dreamily. You
know all about the duel, of course?"
Shirley shrank imperceptibly now
| The subject touched Valiant so closely
it seemed almost as if it belonged to
him and to her alone-not a thing to
be fiippantly touched on. YES" she
said somewhat slowly, every one here
knows of it."
mo doubt it has been almost forgot
ten" the other continued, but Johns
coming must naturally have revamped
the old story. What was it about
the quarrel? A love-affair?"
It's so long ago." murmured Shir-
ley. 4 suppose some one could tell
if they would"
Major Bristow, perhaps" conjec-
1 tured Katharine thoughtfully.
He was one of the seconds" admit
ted Shirley unhappily. But by com
mon consent that side of it wasn't
talked of at the time. Men in Vir-
ginia have oId-fashioned ideas about
| women. ="
"Ah, it's fine OF them!" paeaned
Katharine. Il can imagine the men
who knew about that dreadful affair
in their southern chivalry, drawing a
Gordon of silence about the name OF
that girl with her broken heart. For
If she loved one of the two. it must
| have been Sassoon-not Valiant, else
he would have stayed. How terrible
to see ones lover killed in such a way