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


course, and she had half arisen. when
the majors gruff-voiced companion
spoke name that caused her to sit
down abruptly.
.Bristow, shirley's magnificent
girl"
Finest in seven countless" agreed
the majors bass.
Whom do you reckon she'll choose
to marry?"
Chilly Lusk, of course. The boys
been in love with her since they were
in bibs. And he comes as near being
fit for her as anybody"
"Hump!" said the other sardonical-
ly. mo man / ever saw was half good
enough for a good woman. But good
women marry just the same. 1t isn't
Lusk l used to think it would be,
but I've got a pair Of eyes in my
head, il you haven't. It's young Val
liant"
The pearl fan twisted in Katha-
rine's fingers. What she had guessed
was an open secret, then!
The major made an exclamation that
had the effect of coming after a jaw
dropped silence. Il never thought
of that!"
The other resumed slowly, some
what bitterly, it seemed to the girl
listening. "If her mother was in love
with Sassoon-"
Katharine's heart beat fast and then
stood still. Sassooni That was the
name Of the man VaIiant's father had
killed in that old duel Of which Judge
Chalmers had told! eff her mother
Shirley Dandridge's mother-''was in
love with Sassoon!" Why"
"Was she?"
The majors query held sharpness
bat seemed almost appeal. She was
conscious that the other had faced
about abruptly.
I've always believed so, certainly
If she had loved Valiant, would she
have thrown him over merely because
he broke his promise not to be party
to a Quarrel?"
You think not?" said the major
husGfly.
Not under the circumstances. Val
liant was forced into it. No gentleman,
at that day, could have declined the
meeting. lie could have explained it
to Judith's satisfaction-a woman
doesn't need much evidence to justify
the man she's in love with. He must
have written her-he couldn't have
gone away without that-and if she
had loved him, she would have called
him back"
The major made no answer. Katha-
rine saw a cigar fall unheeded upon
the grass, where it lay glowing like a
panther's eye.
The other had risen now, his stOop-
ed figure bulking in the moonlight.
His voice sounded harsh and strain
ed: 81 loved Beauty Valiant" he said,
and his son is his son to me-but 1
have to think of Judith, too. She faint
ed, BristOw, when she saw him-Shir-
ley told me about it. Her mother has
made her think it was the scent Of the
roses! He's his fathers living image,
and he's brought the past back with
him. Every sound of his voice, every
sight Of his face. will be a separate
stab! Oh, his mere presence will be
enough for Judith to bear. But with
her heart in the grave with Sassoon,
what would love between Shirley and
young Valiant mean to her? Think of
it!''
He broke off, and there was a blank
Of silence, in which he turned with
almost a sigh. Then Katharine saw
him reach the bench with a single
stride and drop his hand on the bowed
shoulder.
"Bristow!" he said bruskly. You're
i'll! This COMPOUNDED philandering at
your time of life"
The majors face looked ashy pale,
but he got up with laugh. mot l, -
he said; Il was never better in my
life! We've had our mouthful Of air.
Come on back to the house"
Not much!" grunted the other. I'm
going where we both ought to have
been hours ago" He threw away his
cigar and stalked down the path into
the darkness.
The major stood looking after him
till he had disappeared, then suddenly
dropped on the bench and covered his
face. Something like a groan burst
from him.
MY God" he said, and his voice
came to Katharine with quaver of
age and suffering different from
the jovial accents Of the ballroom-''if
| were only sure it was Sassoon!"
Presently he rose, and went slowly
toward the lighted doorway.
CHAPTER XVII.
The Ambush.