Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-07-29
|ERSKINE DALE, PIONEER,
BY JOHN FOX, j..
o.,yrssat p CAa1sss ssrss.es's -

lazsss Ssr1SasE's 0sas
es. not even Of animal life. and no
figures moving about or IN the house
What could he do? One thing at
him-he could number Dane Grey's
days and make this night his last on
earth. 1t would probably be hds own
last night, too. ImpatientH he crawl
ed back to the edge OF h road. More
quickly than he expected. he saw
Ephraim's figure slipping through the
shadows toward him. ~
"Dey's JUS through SUPPER" here
ported. Miss Barbary didn't eat
wild EN-. She's UP in her \room. Dat
udder OFFICER been stormir at Marsc
Grey an hurryin' him up. Nanny
she can. She say she got to make
like she heppin' her pack" r.
"Ephraim,'' said Erskin quickly,
Ego tell Mr.. Grey that one of his
men wants to see him right. away at
the sundial. When, he starts down
the path. you run around the hedge
and be on hand in the bushes
"Yassuh," Inc the boy showed his
teeth in a compromising smile. 1t
was not long before he saw Grey's
tall figure easily emerge from the hall
door and stop full in the light. He
saw Ephraim slip around the corner
land Grey move to the end of the
porch, doubtless in answer to the,
black boys whispered summons. For
a moment the two figures were mo-
tionless. and then Erskine began to
Jingle acutely from had to foot Grey
came swiftly down the great path
which was radiant with moonlight.
AS they neared the dial, Erskine
moved toward him. keepingin a dark
shadow, but Grey saw him and called
in a low voice. but sharply:
well. what is it?' With two PAGES
more Erskine stepped out into the
moonlight with his cooked pistol at
Grey's breast.
This" he said quietly. Make no
noise-and don't move" Grey was
startled. but he caught his control
instantly n without fear.
You are a brave man, Mr.. Grey.
and so, for that matter. is-Benedict
Arnold"
Captain Grey" corrected Grey in
%solently.
II do not recognize your rank. To
me you are merely Traitor Grey"
You are entitled to unusual tree
dom Of speech-under the circum-
stances" 49,
II shall grant you the same free
DOM" Erskine replied quickly-"in a
moment. Twice you have sair that
you would fight me with anything,
any time, any place. Grey bowed
slightly. II shall ask you to make
those words good, and l shall accord
ingly choose the weapons Grey
bowed again. "Ephraim%" The boy
stepped from the thicket.
tAhb h~4n<I~L ~->s,. ~ AVA-1.
devil!"
Ain you gwine to shoot him.
Marse Erskine? ,"
"Ephraim!' said Erskine. slip into
the hall very quietly and bring me
the two rapiers on the wall"
Erskine addressed Grey. II know
more of your career than you think,
Grey. You have ben a spy as we'll
as a traitor. And new You are crown
ing you infamy by weaving some
spell over my cousin. and trying to
carry her away in the absence of her
father and brother, to what unhappi-
ness God only car know. l can hardly
hope hat o appreciate the honor
l am doing you"
Not as much as I appreciate your
courage and the risks you are TAX
ing" T.
Erskine smiled.
think"
You have not been idle?"
L nave learned more of my faith
ers swords than I knew when we
used them last"
Il am glad-it will be more in
teresting." Erskine looked toward
the house and moved impatiently.
MY brother officer has dined too
we'll" noted Grey placidly, land the
rest or my-er-retinue are gam
MI We are quite secure.
All Erskine breathed-he had
seen the black boy run down the
steps with something under one arm
shadow of the thicket:
Give one to Mr.. Grey, Ephraim,
and the other to me. I believe you
said on tina other occasion that there
was no choice of blades?"
Quite right" Grey answered, skill
FULLY testing his bit of steel.
keep well out of the way. Eph-
ram, warned Erskine, and take
this pistol. You may need it, if I
am worsted. TO protect yourself"
indeed, yes returned Grey, "and
kindly instruct him not to use it to
protect you For answer Erskine
sprang from the shadow-discarding
formal courtesies.
I'm garde!" he called sternly.
was ~uuOuS at HrSL trying
out his opponents increase in skill.
You have made marked improve
ment."
Thank you,' smiled Erskine.
Your wrist is much stronger,
Naturally Grey leaped backward
and parted just in time a vicious
thrust that was like a dart of light
ming.
All! A Frenchman taupb+ wa,
that" e"s 'ou
"A Frenchman taught me all the
little I know"
meet this" N.
He did, answered Erskine. par
Tying easily and with an answering
thrust that turned Grey suddenly
anxious. Constantly Grey Unanswered
to keep his back to the moon and
just as constantly Erskine easily kept
MIN where the lightly shone fairly
on both. Grey began to breathe heav-
y Haink. too said Erskine, 'that
my wind is a little better than yours
would you like a short resting
From the shadow Ephraim chuck
led, n Grey snapped:
Make that black devil .
Keep quiet. Ephraim!" broke in
Erskine sternly. Again Grew ma
neuvered for the moon, to no avail.
anal Ersklne gave warning:
Try that agafn, I'M I will put that
moon IN your eyes and keep It there"
Grey was getting angry now and was
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