Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-03-24

church-mouse in Virginia than Crnsus'
daughter anywhere else"
The twelve horsemen were now sit
ting their FESTIVE mounts in group
at one end of the lists. Two mounted
monitors had stationed themselves on
either side of the rope-barrier; a third
stood behind the upright from whose
arm was suspended the silver ring.
The herald blew blast, calling the
| title of the first of the knights. In
stantly, with lance at rest, the latter
galloped at full speed down the lists.
There was a sharp musical clash, and
as he dashed on, the ring flew the
full length of it's tether and swung
back, whirling swiftly. 1t had been
close thrust, for the iron pike-point
had smitten its rim. A cheer went up,
under cover of which the rider looped
back outside the lists to his former
position.
In an upper tier OF the stand spec
tator made a cup of his hands. THE
knight of the Golden Spur against the
field" he called. What odds?"
Five to one, Spotteswood," voice
answered
''Ten dollars" announced the first.
Good" And both made memoran-
dunn on their cuffs:
A second time the trumpet sounded,
and the Knight CT CastlewOOd flashed
ingloriously down the roped aisle-a
miss.
Again and again the clear note rang
out and a mounted figure plunged by,
and presently, in burst of cheering,
the herald proclaimed 1.-The Knight of
the Black Eagle-one!" and Chilly
Lusk. in old-rose doublet' and inky
plume cantered back with a silver
ring upon his pike.
No simple thing, approaching leis-
urely and afoot, to send that tapering
point straight to the tiny mark. But
at headlong gallop, astride blooded
horse straining to take the bit, deed
requiring a nice eye, perfect seat
and an unwavering arm and handi
Those knights who Topped back with
their pixies thus braceleted had spent
| long hours in practice and each rode
as naturally as he breathed; yet more
than once a horse SHE'D in mid-course
and at the too-eager thrust of the spur
bolted through the ropes. Valiant
made his first essay-and missed
with the blood singing in his ears.
The ring flew from his pike, catching
him a swinging blow en- the temple in
its rebound, but he scarcely felt it. AS
| he cantered back he heard the MAJOR
bass pitting him against the field.
And then, suddenly, stand and field
all vanished. He saw only the long
| level rope-lined lane with it's twinkling
mid-air point An exhilaration caught
him at the feel of the splendid horse
| flesh beneath him-that sense of one
ness with the creature he bestrode
which the instructive horseman knows.
He lifted his lance and hefted it, seek
ing its absolute balance, feeling it's
point as a feHcer with his rapier.
When again the blood-red sash
streamed away the herald's cry,
Knight of the Crimson Rose-One!"
set the field hand-clapping. From the
next joust also, Valiant returned with
the gage upon his lance. Two had
gone to the Champion of Castlewood
and two to scattering riders. When
Valiant won his fourth the grand stand
Numbered with applause.
The trumpet again pealed it's silvery
proclamation. Judge Chalmers was on
his feet. Fifty to ten on the Crimson
Rose" he cried. This time, however,
there were no takers. He called again,
but none heard him; the last tits were
too absorbing.
Where had John Valiant learned
that trick of the loose wrist and in
flexible thrust, but at the fencing club?
Where that subconscious management
of the rein, that nice gage of speed
and distance, but on the polo field?
The old sports stood him now in good
stead. why, he has a seat like q
centaur!" exclaimed the judge-praise
indeed in a community where riding
was passion and horsefiesh fetish!
oh, dear!" mourned Nancy Chal-
mers. I've bet six pairs of gloves on
Quint Carter. Never mind; if it has to
be anybody else, I'd rather it were
Mr.. Valiant. It's about time Damory
Court got something after Rip-Van-
Winkling it for thirty years. Besides,
he's giving us the dance, and love
him for that! QUint still has chance,
though If he takes the next two, and
Mr.. Valiant misses"
Katharine looked at her with a lit
tie smile. HE won't MISS" she said.
She had seen that look on his face
before and read it Alright. John Va
liant had striven in many contests, not
only of skill but of strength and dar-
ing, before crowded grand stands. But
never in all his life had he so desired
to pluck the prize. His grip was tense
on the lance as the yellow doublet
and olive plume of Castlewood shot
away for a last time-and failed. An
instant later the knight of the Grim
son Rose flashed down the lists with
the last ring on his nike