MlMuONAL iifSCDOOL 'VtEssw--; (By E. O. SELLERS. Director of Evening Department, The Moody Bible Institute, Chicago.) LESSON FOR JULY 12 ' 11ALI.IC ERMINIE RIVES ILLUSTRATIONS 4 LAUREN STOUT . 1,11 "-Sa SYNOPSIS. John Valiant, a rich society favorite, suddenly d'scovers that the Valiant cor poration, which his father founded and which was the principal source of his wealth, has failed.' He voluntarily turns over his private fortune to the receiver for the corporation. His entire remaining possessions consist of an old motor car, a white bull dog and Damory court, a neg lected etate in Virginia, On the way to Damory court he meets Shirley Dand ridge. an auburn-haired beauty, and de cides that he is going to like Virginia im mensely. Shirley's mother, Mrs. Dand ridge, and Major Bristow exchange rem iniscences during which it is revealed that the major. Valiant's father, and a man named Sassoon were rivals for the hand of Mrs. Dandridge in her youth. Sassoon and "Valiant fought a duel on her account in which the former waskilled. Valiant finds Damory court overgrown with weeds and creepers and decides to rehabilitate the place. Valiant saves Shirley from the bite of a snake, which bites him. Knowing the deadliness of the bite, Shirley sucks the poison from the wound and saves his life. Valiant learns for the first time that his father left Vir ginia on account of a duel in which Doc tor Southall and Major Bristow acted as Ms father's seconds. Valiant and Shirley become good friends. Mrs. Dandridge faints when she meets Valiant for the first time. Valiant discovers that he has a fortune in old walnut trees. CHAPTER XXI. Continued. "I got over it before I was old enough to make myself a butt of hi larity," the doctor retorted. "I Bee by the papers they've invented a new dance called the grizzly bear. I be lieve there's another named the ylp kyoodle. I hope you've got 'em down pat to show the young folk tonight, Bristow." The major got up with some irrita tion. "Southall," he said, "sometimes I'm tempted to think your remarks verge upon the personal. You don't have to watch me dance if you don't choose to." "No, thank God," jnuttered the doc tor. "I prefer to remember you when you still preserved a trace of dignity twenty odd years ago." "If dignity " the major's blood was rising now, "consists in your eternal tasteless bickerings, I want none of it. What on earth do you do it for? You had some friends once." "Friends!" snapped the other, "the fewer I have the better!" The major clapped on his straw hat angrily, strode to the door, and opened it. But on the threshold he stopped, and presently shut it, turned back slowly and resumed his chair. The doctor was relighting his cigar, but an odd furtive look had slipped to his face, and the hand that struck the match was unsteady. "For a time both' sat smoking, at first in silence, then talking in a de sultory way on indifferent topics. Fi nally the major rose and tossed his cigar Into the empty grate. "I'll be off now," he said. "I must be on the field before the others." . As he went down the steps a car riage, drawn by a pair of dancing grays, plunged past. "Who are those people with the Chalmers, I wonder," said the doctor. "They're strangers here." The major peered. "Oh," he said, , over his shoulder, "I forgot to tell you That's Silas Fargo, the railroad presi dent from New Ycrk, and his daugh ter Katharine. His private car's down on the siding. They're at the judge's he's chief counsel for the road in this state. They'll be at the tournament, I reckon. You'll be there. won't you?" The doctor was putting some phials and instruments into a worn leather beg. "No," he said, shortly. "I'm go lng to take a ten-mile drive to add "Friends!" Snapped the Other, "The Fewer I Have the Better!" to this county's population, I expect But I'm coming to the dance. Prom lied Valiant I would, in a moment of temporary aberration. CHAPTER XXII. A Virginian Runnymede. "June in Virginia is something to rempmhpr." Today the master of Damory Court deemed this a true say lug. 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 if an ancient ward robe. Presently he took from a t -ok a suit of white flannel in which fat ar rayed himself, " Over his soft shirt be knotted a pale gray scarf. The modish white suit and the rolling Panama threw out la fine contrast the keen Boo-tanned face tnd dark bro m eyes. In the hall below he looked about him with satisfaction. For the last three days he had labored tirelessly to hi the place for the evening's event. The parlor now showed walls rimmed 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 a last resort In the vexing problems of club entertainments, had aided him in the Court's adornment. Out of the kitchens Cassandra's egg-beating chatted like a watchman's rattle, while Aunt Daphne put the fin ishing touches to an array of lighter edibles destined to grace the long ta ble 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 Valiant's car passed, was dotted with straggling pe 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 j children who called shsilly after him, and happy-go-lucky negro youths clad in their best with Sunday shoes dan gling over their shoulders, slouching 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 a leash in the bull dog's collar. "I 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 vinced you're the main one of the con testants, which might cause a mix-up. New mind; I'll anchor you where you won't miss anything." With the excited dog tugging 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. He was con scious of swift bird-like glances from pretty girls. Here was none of the rigid Btraight-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 ning 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 a staff and tiny flag. Midway lines of flaxen ropes stretched between rows of slender peeled sap lings from whose tope floated fanged streamers of vivid bunting. A pavilion of purple cloth, open at the 6ides, 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 a confused glow of color, of light gauzy dresses, of ycung girls in pastel muslins with flowers in their belts, picturesque hats and slender articulate hands darting in vivacious gestures like white swal lows the gentry from the "big houses." The light athletic figure, towed by the white bull-dog, drew many glances. Valiant's eyes, however, as they swept the seats, were looking for but one, and at first vainly. ' He felt a quick pang of disappointment. Perhaps she would not come! Perhaps her mother was still ill. Perhaps but then sud denly his heart beat high, for he saw her in the lower tier, with a group of young people. He could not have told what she wore, save that it was of soft Murillo blue with a hat whose down- curved brim was wound with a shaded plume of the same tint. Her mother was not with her. She was not look ing his way as he passed her arms at the moment being held out In an adorable gesture toward a little child in a smiling matron's" lap and but a single glance was vouchsafed to him before the major seized upon him and bore him to the purple pavilion, for he was one of the committee. But for this distraction, he might have seen, entering the stand with the Chalmers just as the band struck up a delicious whirl of "Dixie," the two strangers whom the doctor had ob served an hour before as they whirled by the Merry weather Mason house be hind the judge's grays. Silas Fargo might have passed in any gathering for the unobtrusive city man. Katha rine was noticeable anywhere, and today her tall willowy figure in its champagne-color lingerie gown and hat garnished with bronze and gold this ties, setting in relief her ivory statuesque face, drew a wave of whis pered comment which left a sibilant wake behind him. The party made a picturesque group as they now dis posed themselves, Katharine's color less loveliness contrasting with. the eager sparkle of pretty Nancy Chal triers and the gipsy-like beauty of Betty Pae. "You call .it a tournament, don't you?" asked Katharine of the Judge. "Yes," he replied. "It's a kind cf contest in which twelve riders com pete for the privilege of naming a Queen of Beauty. There's a ball to night, at which the lucky lady is crowned. Those little tents are where the noble knights don their shining armor. See, there go their capari soned chargers." A file of negroes was approaching the tents, each leading a horse whosr saddle and bridle were decorated with fringes of various hues. In the center of the roped lists, directly in front of the stand, others were planting up right In the ground a tall pole from whose top projected a horizontal arm like a slender gallows. From this was suspended a cord at whose end swung a tiny object that whirled and glit tered in the sun. The judge explained. "On the end of the cord is a silver ring,' at which the knights tilt with lances. Twelve "Who Is That Splendid Old Man Giv ing Directions? The One Who Looks Like a Lion." rings are used. The pike-points are made to fit them, and the knight who carries off the greatest number of the twelve is the victor. The whole thing is a custom as ancient as Virginia a relic, of course, of the old jousting of the feudal ages. The ring is sup posed to represent the device on the boss of the shield, at which the lance thrust was aimed." 'How interesting!" exclaimed Kath arine, and turning, swept the stand with her lorgnette. T suppose "all the county's F. F. V.'s are here," she said laughingly, to Nancy Chalmers. "I've often wondered, by the way, what be came of the Second Families of Vir ginia." "Oh, they've mostly emigrated North," answered Nancy. "The ones that are left are all ancient. There are families here that don't admit they ever began at all." Silas Fargo Bhook his stooped shoul ders with laughter. "Up North," he said genially, "we've got regular fac tories that turn out ready-made frmily trees for anybody who wants 10 rooct in one." , And now over the fluttering stand and the crowd about the barriers, a stir was discernible. Katharine looked again at the field. "Who is that splen did old man giving directions? The one who locks like a lion. He's com ing this way, now." "That's Major Montague Bristow, said the judge. "He s been master of the heralds for years. The tourna, ment could hardly happen without the major." "I'm sure I'd like him," she an swered. "What a lovely girl he is talking to!" It was Shirley who had beckoned the major from the lists. She was leaning over tbe railing. "Why has Ridgeley Pendleton left?" she asked in a low voice. "Isn't he one of the twelve?" "He was. But he's ill. He wasn't feeling up to it when he came, but he didn't give up till half an hour ago. We'll have to get along with eleven knights." She made an exclamation of dismay. "Poor Ridge! And what a pity! There have never been less than the full number. It will spoil the royal quadrille tonight, too. Why doesn't the committee choose some one in his place? Listen. Why not ask Mr. Va liant? He is our host tonight. I'm sure he'd be glad to help out, even without the costume." "Egad!" he said, pulling his im perial. "None of us had thought of him. He could ride Pendleton's mount, of course." He reflected a mo ment I'll do it. It's exactly the right thing. You're a clever girl, Shirley." He hastily crossed. the field, while she leaned back, her eyes on .the flan neled figure long since recognized under the purple pavilion. She saw the committe put their heads together and hurriedly enter. In the moment's wait, Shirley's gloved fingers clasped and unclasped somewhat nervously. The riders had been chosen long before John Valiant's coming. If a saddle, however, was perforce to be vacant, what more ap propriate than that he should fill it? The thought had come to her instantly, bred of an underlying regret, which she had all along cherished, that he was not to take part. But beneath this was a deeper passionate wish that she did not attempt to. aaalyzo to see hiro assume his place with others long habituated to that closed circle a place rightfully his by reason of birth and name and to lighten the gloomy shadow, that must rest on his thoughts of his father, with warmer 6unnler things. She heaved a secret sigh of satisfaction as the white-clad figure rose in acquiescence. The major returned to the grand stand and held up his hand for Bilence. "Our gracious Liege," he proclaimed, In his big vibrant voice, "Queen of Beauty yet unknown, Lords, Knights and Esquires, Fair Dames and gentles all! Whereas divers noble persons have enterprized and taken upon them to hold Jousts royal and tourney, you are hereby acquainted that the lists of Runnymede are about to open for that achievement of arms and grand and noble tournament for which they have so long been famed. But an hour since one of our noble knights, prick ing hither to tilt for his lady, was be set by a grievous malady. However, lest our jousting lack the royal num ber, a new champion hath at this last hour been found to fill the Table Round, who of his courtesy doth con sent to ride without armor." A buzz ran over the assemblage. "It must be Pendleton who has defaulted," said Judge Chalmers. "I heard this morning he was sick. Who's the sub stitute knight, I wonder?" At the moment a single mounted herald before the tents blew a long blast on a silver horn. Their flaps parted and eleven knights issued to mount their steeds and draw into line behind him. They were brilliantly decked in fleshllngs with slashed doub lets and plumed chapeaus, and short jeweled cloaks drooped from their shoulders. Pages handed each a long lance which was held perpendicular, the butt resting on the right stirrup. Under the pavilion, JuBt for the frac tion of a second, Valiant hesitated. Then he turned swiftly to the twelfth tent. Its flag-staff bore a long- stream er of deep blood-red. He snatched this from its place, flung It about his waist and knotted it : sash-wise. He drew the rose from his lapel and thrust It through the band of his Panama, leaped to the saddle of the horse the major had beckoned, and with a quick thrust, of his heel, swung to the end of the stamping line. The field and grand stand had Been the quick decision, with its instant ac tion, and as the hoofs thudded over the turf, a wave of hand-clapping ran across the seats like a silver rain. "Neatly done, upon my word!" said the judge, delighted. "What a daring idea! Who is it? Ia It bless my soul, it is!' Katharine Fargo had dropped her lorgnette with an exclamation. She stood up, her wide eyes fixed on that figure in pure white, with the blood red cordon flaunting across his horse's flanks and the single crimson blossom glowing in his hat. "The White Knight!" she breathed. "Who is he?" Judge Chalmers locked round in sud den illumination. "I forgot that you would be likely to knoy him,' he said. 'That is Mr. John Valitnt of Damory Court.' CHAPTER XXIII. The Knight of the Crimson Rose. TYa raw of tinrspmpii had halted in a curving line before the grand staftd, and now in the silence the herald, holding a parchment scroll, spurred DANCED IN SURINAM JUNGLE Explorer Tells Part He Took In Fes tivities With the Daughter of Native Chief. In Harper's Magazine Charles W. Furlong told of attending a dance of the native tribes in Surinam. South Africa, and dancing with the daugh ter of a chief. "The commandant and Mr. Smit were with me opposite the drummers, where a Djoeka presented his daugh ter, a superb black creature, who, with two other girls, advanced into the ring, with coy step and posture, to ward three men, with whom they danced in pairs; the girls, with a shy lilt of the head and constant mov ing of hands, passed- and repassed, turning closely about their partners, but never touching. A girl would fol low a man of her fancy as he walk ed from the ring center, then, as he turned, at the edge, whisk away to a hum of laughing approval. "Suddenly the dusky form of the girl previously presented emerged from the throng with the same coy, mesmeric motions of the hands, al most touched me, turned like a flash, and was gone. A loud murmur rose. Smit nudged my arm.- 'She likes you: You have got to dance," he whispered. Every explorer knows it is sometimes as unwise to accept such a challenge as it is sometimes indiscreet to re fuse. She advanced again with an before each rider in turn, demanding his title. As this was given' he whirled to proclaim It, accompanying each evolution with a blast on his horn. "Knight of the Golden Spur," "Knight of Castlewood," "Lord of Brandon." "Westover's Knigfct," "Knight of the Silver Cross": the names, fanciful, or those of family es tates, fell on John Valiant's ear with a pungent flavor of medievalism. He started as he became aware that the rider next him. had answered and that the herald had paused before him. "Knight of the Q-iCMon Rose! It sprang to his lips withont forethought, an echo, perhaps, of the Improvised sash and the flower In his hat-band, but the ehout of the herald and the trumpet's blare seemed to make the words fairly bulge with inevitability. And through this struck a 6Udd6n ap palled feeling that he had really spoken Shirley's name, and that every one had heard. He could not see her face, and clutched his lance fiercely 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 determinedly oh 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 foiled out to the farthest corner of the field: "Sir Knights: "The tournament to which we are gathered today is to us traditional; a rite of antiquity and a monument of 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 anthe watchwords of true Knight hood. "We 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 It symbolizes. WTe 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" greed of gold was never so dazzling", 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! In the memory of those other knights who practiced the tour ney in Its old-time glory! In the sight of your Queen of Beauty! I charge you, Southern gentlemen, to joust with that valor, fairness and truth which are the enduring glories of the knight hood of Virginia!" Over the ringing applau, Nancy Chalmers looked at him wit little timile, quizzical yet soft. "D?-r old major!" she whispered to Betty age. "How he loves the center of the s?.ge! And he's effective, too. Thirty years ago, father says, he might have been, anyvhing he wanted to even Unit4 Status Senator. But he would never leave the state. Not that I blame him for thit," she added; "I'd ra.ttor be a church-mouse in Virginia thaA Q.tsus daughter anywhere else." tTO BE CONTINUED.? other girl; reassured by safety M numbers, my strong susceptibilitiet to the rhythm of music enabled me to adapt some slight proficiency in 'buck-and-wlng' dancing and to be come a moment later an integral part of that throbbing throng." Case of Commotion. Did you ever have a forceful f email presiding in your kitchen who kepi you constantly in a turmoil for feat she might bring tbe house dowa abou4 your ears? Rose Stahl tells a story of such a treasure belonging to a family wh lived in California. One afternoon the town experience a slight shock of earthquake. "Pictures were thrown down, crock" ery and furniture rattled about. Ia the midst of the tumult the mistress went to the head of tbe stairs and called out in a resigned tone: " 'Lizzie, what are you doing now?" Youth's Magazine. Heavy Smoker. Unique among the devotees of "M Lady Nicotine" is a Dutch sailo named Berkin, whose boast it is thai for the last 65 years his pipe has con sumed a pound of tobacco weekly. H requires no skill in arithmetic to dis cover that the "Dutch chimney," as ht is proud to be known, has dissipate! in smoke more than 30 hundredweight of tobacco, which ia ax&ttlr 4 tiin his own weight' GREATNESS THROUGH SERVICE. LESSON TEXT Mark 10:32-45. GOLDEN TEXT "The Son of man also came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." Mark 10:43. This is a time in the life of our Lord that vibrates with interest as we rapidly v approach his last tragic week upon earth. At the beginning of his Perean ministry (Luke 9:51) we read that Jesus "steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem." Now that journey Is nearly ended. He had reached a place near Jericho. Know Ing the antipathy of the rulers, those who journeyed with Jesus were "amazed," and some as they followed him on this journey were "afraid" (v. 32). Jesus, therefore, and for a third time, plainly tells his disciples what is about to take place in Jeru salem. The contrast of self is the distin guishing feature of the lesson of tl.e self-seeking disciples over against the self-renouncing Master. Assurance of Faith. I. The Self-seeking Disciples, vv. 32 41. As Jesus clearly spoke to those who In amazement followed him he told of his condemnation and deliver ance to the Gentiles; his persecution, death and resurrection (vv. 32-34). It was then that James and John pre sented their request. Matthew tells us (20:20) that they made it through their mother. It was an ignorant re quest, for they knew not what it In volved (v. 38), nor whose it was to grant it (v. 40). He had spoken with great clearness about his suffering and death and immediately they ask a position in his glory. This may In dicate the assurance of their faith in him, but it certainly Intimates that they did not comprehend the suffering of which he had been speaking. We need to remember, however, that they believed in that approaching hour of his glory. They desired, though, to have an association with him in his power and authority, thus shong their mixture of selfishness, though Jesus seems to have ignored it. Was this request Incited by the mother? Evidently not to a degree, for the Mas ter addresses his reply to the dis ciples. In that reply he does say that to occupy such a position was denied them, or might be quite pos sible. What he does lay stress upon was what was Involved and that this was not the time or place to lay em phasis, In this new kingdom, upon any other idea than that of equality. Jeeus then clearly declared all that was involved in his pathway of suf fering and propounds his question, "Are ye able to drink the cup that I drink?" v. 38). It was a heroic but ignorant answer they made, "We are able." Their language reveals the character, however, "of those who did enter into that fellowship with him which eventually led them to martyr dom. ,He told them they should be baptized into a strength to do and live this life of abandonment, but that such ' a life could not command any pre eminence on that account. Their re quest was otherwise a correct one. In order to share with Christ in his glory we must share his cup and his bap tism of shame and suffering; see 14 : 36 ; Matt. 26:39; John 18:11; II Tim. 2:12; Rom. 8:17; Matt. 16:24. James and John (v. 39) did not stop to meas ure the meaning of their request Wanted Places of Authority. II. The Self-renouncing Master, w. 41-45. In answer to the indignation (v. 41) of the other ten disciples Je sus without any manifest impatience calls the disciples "unto him" and sets before them their absolute equality, and yet at the same time a way of ex altation, v. 43. Jesus is ever calling us "unto him," for he desires to leed us out of lives of selfishness into those of fulness and service. These ten were not altogether without self ishness; they wanted the places of au thority also. Once before, chapter 9:33-36, this same controversy had arisen ; and was again manifested (Luke 22:24) and that, too, at a sol emn occasion, as he announced his ap proaching death and Instituted the supper. It was not till after Pente cost that It became possible for a dis ciple to write "in honor prefer one another," Rom. 4: 10, Phil. 2:3. This reply of Jesus to the indignation- of the ten is a teaching by contrast and accurately describes the Gentile meth od of self-advancement. Over against it he sets forth the method of the "Son of Man." Till this present day such are the methods of those who are of this world only. In hie kingdom it is different, great ness is inverse ratio until we find the greatest is the one who. serves most perfectly. In emphasizing this verse (v 45) it is quite common to omit the last clause, "and to give his life a ransom for many." So to omit it is to neglect his work of redemp tion and overly empVieizes the altru istic aspect of Christianity. Men are not saved by any such method. Je sus is the greatest example of a per fect servaat because he did give his life. Let us also remember that he gave that life and that no man took it from him. John 10:18.

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