Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-03-31

John Valiant I've danced with 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 were quite one of
yourselves"
Shirley smiled enchantingly. why,
yes she said, maybe it seems odd to
outsiders But, you see, with us 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. 81 never
thought of it. 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 fippantly 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?"
Its SO long ago." murmured Shir-
ley. 81 suppose some one could tell
if they would"
Major Bristow, perhaps" conjec-
tured Katharine thoughtfupy.
"IIe 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 old-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.
1t was quickly ended for him,
but the poor woman was left to bear it
al the years. fancy she would never
wholly get over it, never be able to
forget him, though she tried
Shirley made some reply that was
lost in the wIlirring wheels. The 9TH
er's words seemed almost an echo of
what she herself had been thinking.
Maybe she married after a while,
too. 4 woman must make life for
herself, you know. If she lives here,
it viii be sad for her, this opening of
the old wound by Johns coming.
And looking so like his father"
Katharine paused. There was a kind
Of exhilaration in this subtle batting.
Shirley stirred uneasily, and in the
glimpsing light her face looked trou-
bled Katharine's voice had touched
pathos. and in spite of her distaste of
the subject, Shirley had been entering
into the feeling of that supposititious
woman.
The Judge, on the front seat, was
telling a loW-tOned story over his
shoulder for the delectation of Nancy
and Betty, but Shirley was not listen
ing. Her whole mind was full Of what
Katharine had been saying. She was
picturing to herself this woman, her
secret hidden all these years, hearing
Of John Valiant's coming to Damory
court, learning Of this likeness, shrink
ing from sight Of it, dreading the pain
full memory it must thrust upon her.
Suppose voice was
dreamy-"that she and John met sud
denly, without warning. What would
she do? Would she say anything?
Perhaps she would faint.
Shirley started violently Her hands,
as they drew her cloak uncertainty
about her, began 10 tremble, as if with
cold. Something fell from them to the
bottom of the surrey.
Through her chiffon veil Katharine
noted this with a slow smile. 1t had
been easier than she had thought. She
said no more, and the carriage rolled
over the judges peroration. AS it
neared the Rosewood lane she leaned
toward Shirley
You have dropped your fan said
she and your gloves, too. :.
I might have reached them for you.
Why, we are there already. How short
the drive has seemed"
Don't drive up the lane, Lige,"
said Shirley, and her voice seemed
sharp and strange even to herself
"The wheels would wake mother"
Katharine babe her goodby with care
full sweetness, as the Judge bundled
her down in his strong friendly arms.
NO" she told him, don't come with
me. It's not a bit necessary. En-
maine Will be waiting for me-
He climbed into her vacant place as
the girls called their good nights.
Well all sleep late enough in the
morning. l reckon he said with a
laugh, but it's been a great SUGGEST"