The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1922-08-31

= nave knoWn some nbrs VINO were
not towards"
You forget yourself"
'No--nor you"
You remember a promise I made
you onceT'
Twice" corrected Esskine. Grey's
eyes flashed upward to the crossed
rapiers on the wall.
Precisely" answered ErskIne. "and
whenY
AT the first opportunity"
From this moment I shall be wait.
ing for nothing else."
Barbara, reappearing, heard their
last words and she came forward pale
and with piercing eyes:
cousin Erskine I want to apollo
gize TO you for my little faith. hope
you will forgive me. Mr.. Grey. your
horse will he at the door at once. I
wish you a safe tourney-to your com
mand" Grey bowed and turned-fur-
Gus.
Ersklne was on the porch when Grey
came out to mount his horse.
"You will want secondsp" asked
Grey.
They might try to stop us-no!"
II shall ride slowly" Grey said.
Ersklne bowed.
81 shall not"
Nor did he. Within half an hour
Barbara, passing through the hall. saw
that the rapiers were gone from the
wall and she stopped. with the color
fled from her face and her hand on her
heart. At that moment Ephralm
dashed from the kitchen.
Miss Bnrbary. somebody gwine to
git killed. ! was wukkin' In de ole
field an Marse Grey rid by cussin' to
hlsself. Jist now Marse Erskine went
tearin' by de landln' wild couple o.
swords under his arm" His eyes too
went tn the wall "Yes. bless Gawd.
dcy's gone!" Barbara flew out the
door.
In a few moments she had found
Harry and Hugh. Even while their
horses were being saddled her father
rode up
ITS murder" cried Harry, "and
Grey knows II. Erskine knows moth
ing about a rapier"
Without word Colonel Dale
wheeled his tired horse and soon
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 Of wait
Ing that was the role of women I'm
those days.
Meanwhile. at a swift gallop Firefiy
was skimming along the river road
Grey had kept his word and more he
had not only ridden slowly but he had
stopped and was waiting at an oak
tree that was n cornerstone between
two plantations.
THAT I may not kill you on your
own land" he said
Ersklne sta aed. The consideration
is deeper than you know"
They hitched their horses, and Frs
kline followed into a pleasant glade
grassy glade through which muir
INJURED little stream. Erskine dropped
the rapiers on the sward
VI.
There Is none" said Grey. picking
up the one nearer to him. II know
them both" Grey took OF his coat
while Erskine waited. Grey made the
usual moves of courtesy and still Frs
kline waited. wonderingly. with the
point Of the napier on the ground
when you are ready" he said. will
you please let me know7"
Ready" answered Grey. and he
lunged forward. Erskine merely
whipped at his blade 40 that the clang
Of II whined on the air to the break
ing-polnt and sprang backward. He
was as quick as an eyelash and 1.-the
as panther, and yet Grey almost
laughed aloud. All Erskine did was
to whip the thrustng blade aside and
leap out of danger like a flash Of light
II was like an inexpert boxer fall
Ing according to rules unknown
and Grey's face famed and actually
turned anxious. Then, as kindly
fate would have II. Erskine's blade
caught In Grey's guard by accident,
and the powerful wrist behind il seek
Ing merely to wrench the weapon
loose tore Grey's rapier from his grasp
and hurled II ten feet away. There
Is no greater humiliation for the ex.
pert swordsman. and not for nothing
had Erskine suffered the shame Of
that long-ago day when primitive
instinct had led him to thrusting his
knife into this same enemy's breast.
Now, with his swords point on the
earth, he waited courteously for Grey
TO recover his weapon.
Again kindly fate interviewed
Even ms Grey rushed for his sword,
Erskine heard the beat of horses
hoofs. As he snatched II from the
ground and turned. with wicked
smile over his grinding teeth, came
llarrys shout. and as he rushed for
Erskine. Colonel Dale swung from his
horse. The sword blades clashed
Erskine whipping back and forth in
way To make a swOrdsman groan-an
Colonel Dale had Erskine by the wrist
and was between them.
'llow dare you. STRIP cried Grey