The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-08-18

. chatting. and the musical clanking o.
trace-chains came from the barnyard
| Hungry cattle we're mooing and full
uddered mothers were mooing answers
to bawling calves. A peacock screamed
from a distant tree and sailed forth,
full-spread-a great cleaning winged
Jewel Of the air. In crises the nerves
tighten like violin strings. the memory
plates turn abnormally sensitive-and
Ersklne was not to forget that hour.
The house was still and not soul
was In sight ms the three. still silent,
walked up the great path. When they
were near the portico Harry came out.
He looked worried and anxious.
"Where's Barbara" asked her
father.
LOCKED in her room"
"Let her alone" said Colonel Dale
| gently. Like brother and cousin. Har-
ry and Hugh we're merely irritnted by
the late revelation, but the father was
! shocked that his child was no longer
a child. Erskine remembered the girl
as she waited for Grey's coming at the
sundial, her face as she walked with
him up the path. For moment the
two boys stood in moody silence.
Harry took the raplers in and put
them In their place on the wall. Hugh
quietly disappeared. Erskine, with
word of apology. went to his room.
and Colonel Dale sat down on the
porch alone.
AS the dusk gathered, Erskine look
ing gloomily through his window,
saw the girl flutter like a white moth
past the box-hedge and down the
path. A moment later he saw the tall
form of Colonel Dale follow her-and |
both passed from sight On the thick |
turf the colonel's feet too were noise
less. and when Barbara stopped at /
the sundial he too paused. She was
unhappy, and the coloners heart ached
sorely, for any unhappiness of hers al
ways trebled his own.
Little girll" he called, and no
overs voice could have been more
gentle. "Come herel"
She turned and saw him, with arms
the low moon lighting
III the tenderness in his fine old face,
nd she flew to him and fell to weep
ng on his breast. In wise silence
e stroked her hair until she grew a
title calmer.
whats the matter, little daugh-
err"
"I-I-don't know"
81 understand. You we're quite ..
ght to send him away, but you did
OF want him harmed"
"I-I-didn't want anybody harmed"
II know. It's too bad, but none
us seem quite to trust him."
That's it," she sobbed; II don't,
ther, and yet"
81 know. l know. My little girl
lust be wise and brave, and maybe
will all pass and she will be glad.
ut she must be brave. Mother is not
ell and she must not be made I'M
Apply too. She must not know. Can't
ow? She must be hostess and this is
rskine's last night" She looked up,
away her tears.
"His last night?" All, wise old
Dlonell
"Yes-he goes tomorrow to join Cap
lin Clark at Williamsburg on his
polish campaign in the Northwest.
Ye might never see him again."
"Oh, fatheri''
"Well, it isn't that bad, but my lit
e girl must be very nice to him. He
ems to be very unhappy, too"
Barbara looked thoughtful, but
ere was no pretense of not under
anding.
I'm sorry" she said. She took
sr fathers arm. and when they
ached the steps Erskine saw her
Milling. And Smiling, almost gay,
e was at supper, sitting with ex-
lisite dignity In her mothers place.
Erskine, who sat at her right, she
ked many questions about the COM
g campaign. Captain Clark had said
would go with hundred men IL
could get no more. The rallying
int would be the fort in Kentucky
here he had first come back to his
IN people, and Dave Yandell would
captain of a company. He himself
rs going as guide, though he hoped
act as soldier as well. Perhaps
ey might bring back the Hair
yer, General Hamilton, prisoner
Williamsburg. and then he would
n Harry and Hugh In the militia
the war came south and Virginia
re invaded as some prophesied, by
rleton's White Rangers, who had
en ravaging the Carolinas. After
)per the little lady excused herself
n a smiling courtesy to go to her
ther, and Erskine found himself
the moonlight on the big portico
h Colonel Dale alone.
he said. you make 1t
y difficult for me to keep your
ret. Hugh alone seems TO suspect
Re must have got the idea from
". but | have warned him to say
hing. The others seem not to have
ught of the matter at ALL II was
oyish impulse of generosity which
may regret"
Never" interrupted the boy II
a no nca-Iacc <han axar ,ovr