The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-08-28

before each rider In turn. demanding
his title. Az this was given ne
whirled to proclaim 1t, accompanying
each evolution with a blast on MS
horn. Knight of the Golden Spur,
Knight of Castlewood," "LSrd OF
Brandon" "Westover's Kn bg hr
knight of the Silver Cross: the
names. fanciful, or those of fanny es-
tates, fell on John Vaiiant's ear with
a pungent flavor of medievalism. he
started as he became aware that tine
rider next him had answered and mat
the herald had paused before him.
Knight Of the Crimson Rose!" It
sprang to his lips without forethougat
an echo. perhaps, of the improvised
sash and the flower In his hat-band,
but the shout of the heraid and tbs
trumpet's blare seemed to- make the
words fairly bulge with inevitability.
And through this struck a'sudden ap-
palled feeling that he had really
spoken Shirley's name, and that every
one had heard. He could not see her
face, and cIutched his lance nercely
to overcome an insane desire to stoop
hideously in his saddle and peer un-
der the shading hat-brim. Lest he
should do this, he fastened his eyes
determinedIg on the major, who now
proceeded to deliver himself OF the
Charge to- the Knights"
The major made an appealing CEN
ter to- the charming picture as he
stood ON the green turf, "the glass
of fashion and the mold of form" his
head bare, his shock of blond-gray
hair thrown back, and one hand thrust
between the buttons Of his snowy
waistcoat His rich bass voice rolled
out to,tte fartfest corner of the field:
"Sir knights.
"The- tournament to which we are
gathered today Is to us traditional; g.
rite of antiquity and a monument or
ancient generations. This relic of the
jousts of the Field of the Cloth-of-
Gold points us back to an era OF
knightly deeds, fidelity to sacred trust,
obligation to duty and loyalty to wom-
an-the watchwords of true knight
hood.
I'VE like to think that when our
forefathers, offspring of men who es-
tablished chivalry, came from over
seas, they brought with them not only
this ancient play, but the precepts 1t
symbolizes. We may be proud, in.
deed, knowing that this is no hollow
ceremonial. but an earnest that the
flower of knighthood has not withered
in the world. that In an age when the
do n
the spirit of true gallantry has not
faded but blooms luxuriant in the
sparkling dews, of the heart of this
commonwealth.
Most Noble knights! In the name
of that high tradition which this day
preserves! I'm tine memory of those
other knights who practiced the tour
ney in its oldItime glory! In the sight
of your Queen OF Beauty! | charge
you, Southern gentlemen, to joust with
that valor. fairness and truth which
are the enduring glories of the knight
hood of Vfrginiar-
Over the ringing applause, Nancy
Chalmers looked at him with little.
smile. quizzicar yet soft. Dear old
major!" she whispered to Betty Page
How heEl6ves the center of the stage!
And hes effective. too. Thirty years
ago, father says. he might have been
anything he wanted to-even United
States Senator. But he would never
leave the state. Not that blame him
for that" she added I'D rather be- a,
church-mouse In Virginia than CrBsuss
daughter anywhere else"
GRO BE CoNTINUED)