The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-02-21
.centlnued From our Laet Issue

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up an naughty silence. Erskine
went on:
q, have known some liars who
were not towards"
"You remember promise 1 made
"TSice," corrected Erskine.
GTey's eyes flashed upward to the
crossed rapiers on the wall.
"Precieely," answered Erskine
land when?"
Barbara, rcappearfng, heard
tAeir last words, and she ran for
ard pale and with piercing eyes:
Cousin Erskinc. I want to apol-
ogfze to you for my little faith.
Mr.. Grey your horse will be at the
door at once. / wish You a safe
1ourney-to your command.
Erskine was on the porch when
Grey came out TO mount his horse.
'eYou will want seconds?" asked
Grey.
HThey might Try to stop us-nol'
y shall ride slowly" Grey said.
Erskine bowed.
Z shall not"
XIV
Within half an hour Barbara,
passing through the hall, saw that
the rapiers were conc from the
vail and she stopped while the
color fled from her face and her
hand or: her heart.
Ina few moments she had found
Harry, and Hugh. Even while their
horses were being saddled heI
father rode up.
yIts murder" cried Harry, "and
Grey knows It Erskine knows
nothing about rapier."
Without a word Colonel Dale
Wheeled his tired horse and soor
8 Harry and Hugh dashed after him
barbara walked back to the house
wringing her hands. but on the
porch she sat quietly in the agony
ofswaiting what was the role OF wo.
men in those days.
Meanwhile, FREELY was sktmminr
along the river road. Grey had
kept his word. He was waiting be.
tween two plantations.
sThay hitchcd their horses, and
nfskinc followed into a pleasant
glade-a grassy glade through
which murmured a little stream.
Esskine dropped the rapiers on the
sward.
s'Take your eaolce,.., he said.
,"There ls none," said Grey, pick.
ing up the one nearer to him.
when you are ready" ErskIne
''Ready!" answered Grey, and
lunged.
Erskine merely whipped at the
blade and sprang backward. He
was as quick as a eyelnsh and 1.-THE
IS panther. aud yet Grey almost
tIaughed aloud.
AL Erskine did was to whip the
thrusting blade aside and leap out
aop danger like flash OF light. II
was like an inexpert boxer failing
iecording to rurcs unknown-and
k9rey's face famed and actually
Hprned anxious.
Then Erskine's blade caught in
Grey's guard by accident, aud the
powerful wrist behind 1t seeking
merely to wrench the weapon loose
tore Grey's rapicr from his grasr
and hurled 1t ten feet away. witt
his swords point on the earth. he
waited courteously for Grey to re
cover his weapon.
AS Grey rushed for his sword
Erskine heard the beat Of horses
hooEs He snatched It from the
ground and turned. and as he rush
ca for Erskine, Colonel Dale swung
from his horse. The sword blades
sclashed-and Colonel Dale hat
Erskine by the wrist and was be-
tween them.
How dare you. sir?" cried Grey
hotly.
"tJust a moment" repeated the
colonel sternly "Mr. Grey, do you
think. It quite fair that you with
your skill should fight a man who
knows nothing about foils?"
There was no other way" Grey
said sullenly.
i,,fYour country Is at war. She
needs every man for her defense
.BDo you not both think your lives
belong to your country?"
"Colonel Dale, your nephew
grossly insulted me and your
daughter showed me the door,
merely repeated what had beer
told and ! believed II true. Now
that hear 1t is not true, ] an
willing to express my regrets and
apologies.
rThat is better" said Colone'
Dale heartily, and he turned tc
Erskine, but Erskine was crying
hotly:
ss,And express neither"
AS they rode back Colonel Dale
spoke OF the war. 1t was about tc
move. into Virginia, he said, and
when 1t did-Both Harry and Hugh
interrupted him with a glad shout
s'Swe can go!" Colonel Dale nod
ded sadly.
H Suddenly all pulled their horses
in simultaneously and raised theil
eyes, for all heard tho coming OF q
horse in q dead run. Around q
thicketed curve OF the road can't
Barbara, with her face white ant
her hair streaming behind her. She
pulled her pony In but a few feet
IN front Of them. with burning
eyes on Erskine alone.
H,Hayc you killed htm-have you
ii.ted him? II you have" She
stopped helpless, and all were sc
amazed that none could answer
Erskine shook his head. There was
- flash OF relief in the girls white
lace. its recklessness gave way &c
sudden shame and without. n word