The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-02-23
Continued from our last issue


ing yourself with my liinspeople at
my expense" Grey drew himself up
in naughty silence. Erskine went
on
Il have known some liars who
were not cow1rds.
You remember 4 promise made
you once?'
Twice" corrected Erskine. Grey's
ewes flashed upward 10 the crossed
slpiers On the wall.
precis-ly.' answered Ersliinc, and
when"
Rarbara, reappearins heard their
lasr words. and she came forward
pale and with piercing eyes
Cousin Erskine. | want TO apol'
csize 10 you for my little faith. Mr..
Grey your horse will be at the door
at once. wish YOU a safe journey
10 yolp command.
Erskine was on the porch when
Grey came out TO mount his horse.
You win want seconds asked
Grey.
They might Try to stop us--no
"l shall ride slowly Grey said.
Erskine bowed.
"A shan not
XIV.
Within half an hour Barbara. pass
ing through the hail, 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.
In few moments she had found
Harry and Hugh. Even while their
horses were being saddled her father
rode up.
It's murder" cried Harry, "and
Grey knew it. Erskine knows moth.
ing about q rapier."
Without word Colonel Dale wheel
ed 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 waiting that
was the role Of women in those days.
Meanwhile, FREELY was sllimmins
along the river road. Grey had kept
his word. He was waiting between
TWO plantations.
They hitched their hoses. and Frs
kline followed into a pleasant glade--a
grassy glade through which murmur'
ed little stream. Erskine dropped
the rapiers on the sward.
Take your choice" he said.
There Is none" said Grey. pick.
lns up the one nearer TO him.
When you are ready Ersklne
said
Ready answered Grey, and lung
ed
Erskine merely whipped at his
blade and sprang backward. He
was as quick as an eyelash and 1.-THE
"a O panther. and Yet Grey almost
laughed aloud.
All Erskine did was to whip the
thrusting blade aside and leap out
VI danger like flash of light. II
WAS like an inefpert boxer failing
according TO rules unknown-and
Grey's face famed and actually turn
"a anxious.
Then. Ersklnes blade caught in
Grey's guard by accident, and the
powerful wrist behind 1t seeking mere.
~ 10 wrench the weapon loose tore
Grey's rapier from his grasp and
hurled it ten feet away. With his
swords point on the earth, he waited
courteously FOR Grey to recover hls
weapon.
As Grey rushed for his sword,
Erskine heard the beat OF horses
hoofs. He snatched it from the
ground and turned. and as he rushed
for Ersklne. Colonel Dale swung from
his horse. The swordblades clashed
and Colonel Dale had Erskine by the
wrist aud was between them.
How dare you, sir2' cried Grey
holly.
Just moment" repeated the
colonel sterly Mr.. Grey do you
,hink II quite fair that YOU with
your skill should fight u man who
knows nothing about fons?"
There was no other way" Grey
said sullenly.
Your country is at war. She
needs every man for her defense. Dc
you not both think your lives belong
10 YOUR county,
Colonel Dale, your nephew gross
l. lnsulted me. and your daughter
ihowed Inc the door. | merely re-
peatsd What / had been told and |
believed II true. Now that | hear
il Is not true am Willing 10 eY.
press my regrets and apologies
That Is better" said Colonel Dale
heartily, and he turned TO Erskiue,
hut Ersgine was crying houy.
Aud | express neither"
A. they rode lack Colonel Dale
spoke of the wlt 10 vas about e
move into virgini4 u. said aud whom
.r did Both Harry and Hugh in.
tsrrupted him Win a u!Ad shout
we can ~ Colonel Dale nod
d,d sadly
suddenly all pulled their horses
iu s!multausousN ana raised their
eyes. IOr All heard The coming OF a
horse in "a dead run. Around u
tntcketed curve " the road came
e.reara. with her face white and
her hair streaming behind her She
pulled her pony in but few feet
ia ttont OF them, with burning eyes
eu Etsl.ine alone
Have you killsd him-haye you
killed hun? IT you have" Sh-
stopped helpless. ana all We're 20
amazed that none could answer Frs.
kline shook his head. There was a flash
vi relief IN the gitl's white face, It's
recklessness gave way 10 sudden
shame, and. without word. she
wheeled aud was away again--Hsrry
fyins after her. No one spoke
Colonel bale looked ashast ana Ere.
liu.'a heart amin turned a.gl