The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1922-08-17

Dave to him and asked MANY oues
tions about the wilderness beyond the
Cumberland, and he even had the hoy
to come up and shake hands. and
asked him where he had learned to
ride so well.
Before Barbara was sent home
Hugh and Dane Grey, dressed with
great care, came in, with an exaggcIa-
tion OF dignity and politeness that
fooled few others than themselves.
Hugh, catching Barbara's sad and re-
proachful glance, did not dare go near
her, but Dane made straight for her
side when he entered the room-und
bowed with great gallnntry. To the
boy he paid no attention whatever.
and the latter, fred with Indignation
and hate, turned hastily away But in
corner unseen he could not withhold
watching the two closely, and he felt
vaguely that he was watching a fright
ened bird and snake. The little
girrs self-composure seemed dliite TO
vanish. her face flushed, her eyes were
downcast, and her whole attitude had
mature embarrassment that was far
beyond her years. The lad wondered
and was deeply disturbed The hnlf
overlooking and wholly contemptuous
glance that Grey had shot over his
head had stung him life Il knife-cut. so
like an actual knife indeed that with
out knowing 1t his right hand was
then fumbllng ut his belt. Dave TOO
was noticing and so was Barbara's
mother and her father, who knew very
well that this smooth Suaye. bold
young daredevil was deliberately lead
ing Hugh into all the mischief he
could find. Nor did no leave the girls
side until she was taken home. Frs
kine too. left then and went back TO
the tavern and up to his room. Then
with his knife in his belt he went
Gown again and waited on the porch.
Already guests were coming back from
the party and it was not long before
he saw Hugh and Dane Grey half.
stumbling up the steps Erskine rose
Grey confronted the lad DULY for a
moment and then Strengthened.
Here's anuzzer one wants to fight"
he said thickly. "My young friend
VIII oblfge you anywhere with any,
thing. at any time-except tonight.
Tor l am not accustomed to fight with
savageS."
And he waved the boy away with
such an insOlent gesture that the lad.
knowing no other desire with an en-,
, emy than to kill him in any wny DOS.
sible, snatched his knife from his belt.
lie heard cry Of surprise and horror
from Hugh and a huge hand caught
; his upraised wrist.
. Put 1t back !" said Dave sternIy.
: The dazed boy obeycd and Dave led
him upstairs.
Dave talked to the lad about the
enormity of his offense, but tc Dave
he was inclined to defend himself AID
his action. Next morning, however
when the party started back to Red
Oaks, Erskine felt difference in the
atmosphere that made him uneasy.
Barbara alone seemed unchanged, and
ne was quick to guess that she had not
been told of the incident Hugh was
distinctly distant and surly for an
other reason as well. He had wanted
to ask young Grey to become one of
their party and his father had deci.
slvely forbidden him-for another rea.
son, too, than his influence over Hugh:
Grey and his family were Tories and
In high favor with Lord Dunmore.
AS yet Dave had made no explana-
t'on or excuse for his young friend,
but he soon made up his mind that It
would be wise to offer the best extenu-
alton rs soon as possible; which was
simply that the lad knew no better,
had not yet had the chance to learn,
and on the rage Of impulse had acted
Just as he would have done among the
indians, whose code alone he knew
The matter came to head shortly
after their arrival at Red Oaks when
Colonel Dale, HAIRY, Hugh and Dave
were on the front porch. The boy was
standing behind the box-hedge near
the steps and Barbara had just ap-
peared in the doorway.
well, what was the trOuble?"
Colonel Dale had just asked.
He tried to stab Grey unarmed and
without warning" said Hugh shortly.
At the moment the boy caught sight
Of Barbara. Her eyes, filled with scorn,
met his in one long, sad whitening
look. and she turned noiselessly back
into the house. Noiselessly too he
melted into the garden. slipped down
to the river bank, and dropped to the
ground. He knew at last what he had
done. Nothing was said to him when
he came back to the house and that
night he scarcely opened his lips. In
silence he went to bed and next morn
ing he was gone
The mystery was explained when
Barbara told how the boy too must
have overheard Hugh.
He's hurt" said Dave, "and he's
gone home"
"On fOot?" asked Colonel Dale in
credulously.
''He can trot all day and make al
most as good time as horse"
"Why, he'll starve"
"He could get there on roots and
herbs and wild honey, but he'll have
fresh meat every day. Still. I'll have
70 try TO Oyertaka him 7 muct oo