The Daytona daily news., 1922-02-27

u knew more Of your career than
you think. Grey. You have been a
spy a. we'll as traitor. And now yon
are crowninG your infamy by weav-
ing some spell over my cousin. can
hardly hope that you appreciate the
honor am doing you.
The black boy ran down the steps
and presently Ephraim was in the
shadow Of the thicket:
Give one to Mr.. Grey. Ephraim,
and the other to me-.
''Ephraim, warned Erskine, take
| protect yourself"
| Indeed, yes" returned Grey. and
| kindly instruct him not to use it to
protect YOU" For answer tsrskine
sprang from the notwithstanding
| formal courtesies.
/ "En garde." he called sternly.
] The two shining blades clashed
lightly and Quivered against each 9th
er in the moonlight.
Grey was cautious at first, 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 back
ward and parried just in time a vi
! cious thrust that was like dart o
lightning.
.Ah. A Frencbman taught yo'
that
"A Frenchman taught me all tn
2 little know
+ Il wonder il he taught you how t.
I meet this"
He did," answered Erskine. pal
: rying easily and with an answerin
I thrust that turned Grey suddenl
c anxious. Grey began to breath heav
; ly.
II think. too." said Erskine. "tha
my wind is better than yours woul
yoa like a short resting-spell?"
From the shadow Ephraim chucl
led, and Grey snapped:
Make that black devil
Keep quiet, Ephraim." broke
Erskine sternly.
y Grey was getting angry now an
II was beginning to pant.
n Your wind is short" said Erskir
with mock compassion. Il will gi'
you little breathing-spell presen
ly."
rt Grey was not wasting his precio,
# breath now and he made no answer
l. Now" said Erskine sharply. ar
Creys blade flew from his hand al
lay like d streak OF silver on Il
l. dewy grass. Grey rushed for it.
ic Damn you," he ragged. al
At wheeled furiously-pa patience. hume
e and caution quiet gone-a tn
-. fought now in deadly silence.
u There was the sound of voices, al
4 il was evident that the game h;
" ended in quarrel and the playe
were coming up the river bank I
ward them Erskine heard. but
Grey did he at first gave no sign
he was too much concerned with Il
death that faced him. Suddenly +
skine knew that Grey had heard. +
the fear in his face gave way to
diaboiic grin OF triumph and
lashe1 suddenly into defense-if
could protect himself only a lit
ionger' Erskne had delayed t
finishing stroke too long and he mu
make it now.
Grey gave way step ny step-p;
rying only The blades flashed Ii
tiny bits of lightning. Erskine's fae
grim and inexorable. brought t
sick fear back into Grey's. and
Of skine saw his enemys lips open.
,e He iunged then. his blade We
- true. sank to the hilt, and Gre,
- warped coal starte 4 eD It's way vi
" a craven c:y for help. Erski
M sprang back into the shadows al
ut snatclled his pistol from Ephrain
n hand:
:" Get out of the way now. T.
them did it,
OF Once he looked back. He saw b
D. bara at the halldoor with old Mamn
o behind her. With q running leap
vaulted the hedge. and, hidden i'll t
:" bushes. Ephraim heard Firefly's hoe
lg beating ever more family on /
III sandy road.