Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-03-17
CHAPTER XXI.
A Vireinian Runnymede.


remember" Today the master Of
Damory Court deemed this true say
ing. For the air was like wine, and
the drifting white wings of cloud, piled
above the amethystine ramparts of the
far Blue Ridge, looked down upon a
violet world bound in green and silver.
In his bedroom Valiant stood look
ing into the depths of an ancient ward
robe. Presently he took from a hook
suit of white flannel in which he ar
rayed himself. Over his soft shirt he
knotted pale gray scarf. The modish
white suit and the rolling Panama
threw out in fine contrast the keen
sun-tanned face and dark brown eyes.
In the hall below he looked about
him with satisfaction. For the last
three days he had labored tirelessly to
TT the place for the evenings event.
The parlOr now showed walls trimmed
with straight-back chairs and the
grand piano-long ago put in order
had been relegated to the library. That
instinct for the artistic, which had
made him last resort in the vexing
problems of club entertainments, had
aided him in the Courts adornment.
Out of the kitchens Cassandra's
egg-beating chatted like a watchmans
rattle, while Aunt Daphne put the fin
ishng touches to an array of lighter
edibles destined to grace the long Ia
BILE on the rear porch, now walled in
with snow-white muslin and hung with
candle-lusters. Under the trees Uncle
Jefferson was even then experimenting
with various punch compounds, and a
delicious aroma of vanilla came to Va
liant's nOstrils.
The Red Road, as Valiants car
passed. was dotted with struggling pc
destrians: humble country folk who
trudged along the grassy foot-path
with no sullen regard for the swift
cars and comfortable carriage that
left them behind; sturdy barefooted
children who called shrilly after him,
and happy-go-lucky negro youths clad
in their best with Sunday shoes dan
Cling over their shoulders, slCuching
regardlessly in the dust-all bound for
the same Mecca, which presently rose
before him, a gateway of painted can
vas proclaiming the field to which it
opened Runnymede.
He halted his car at the end Of the
field and snapped leash in the bull
dogs collar. Il hate to do it, old
man. he said apologetically to Chum's
reproachful look, but I've got to.
There are to be some stunts, and in
such occasions you're apt to be con-
WINGED you're the main one of the con-
testants, which might cause a mix-up.
Never mind; I'll anchor you where you
won't miss anything"
With the excited dog Juggling be-
fore him, he threaded his way through
the press with keen exhilaration. Now
and then his gloved hand touched his
cap at a salutation. Ne was con-
sciOus of swift bird-like chances from
pretty girls. Here was none of the
rigid straight-ahead gaze or vacant
stare of the city boulevard; the eyes
that looked at him, frankly curious
and inquiring, were full of easy open
comradeship. Some Of the girls wore
gowns and hats that might that morn
ing have issued from the Rue de la
Paix; others were habited in cheap
materials. But about the latter hung
no benumbing self-consciousness. All
bore themselves alike. He was begin
ming to realize that there might really
exist straitened circumstances, even
actual poverty, which yet created no
sort Of social difference.
Opposite the canvas-cOvered grand
stand sat twelve small mushroom
tents, each with staff and tiny flag.
Midway lines of fiaXen ropes stretched
between rows of slender peeled sap
Iings from whose tops foated fanged
streamers Of vivid bunting. A pavilion
of purple cloth, open at the sides,
awaited for the committee, and near
the center, a negro band was disposed
on camp-stools, the brass Of the wait
ing instruments winking in the sun
light. The stand was confused glow
of color, of light gauzy dresses, OF
young girls in pastel muslins with
flowers in their belts, picturesque hats
and slender articulate hands darling
in viyaciOus gestures like white swal-
lows = the gentry from the big
houses"
The light athletic figure, towed by
the white bulldog, drew many glances.
Valiant's eyes, however, as they swept
the seats, were looking for but one,
and at first vafnly. He felt a quick
pang OF disappointment. Perhaps she
would not come! Perhaps her mother
was still ILL., Perhaps-Dut then sud-