The Adair County news., 1922-09-05
chAPTkR I'd.


A long time Erskine sat motionless,
wondering what allied him. nc had
never liked nor trusted Grey; he be-
lieved he would have trouble wiah him
some day, but he had other enemies
and he did not feel toward them as he
did toward this dandy mincing up that
beautiful broad path. With a little
grunt he turned back along the path.
Firefy whinnied to him and nipped at
him with playful restlessness as
though eager to be on his way to the
barn, and he stood awhile with one
arm across his saddle. Once he reached
upward to unite the reins, and with
another grunt strode back and went
rapidly up the path. Grey and Barbara
had disappeared, but tall youth who
sat behind one of the big pillars saw
him coming and rose, bewildered, but
not for long. Each recognized the other
swiftly, and Hugh came with stiff
courtesy forward. Erskine smiled:
"You don't know met" Hugh
bowed: ...
"Quite WELL" The wOOdsman drew
himself up with quick breath-paling
without, flaming within-but before he
could speak there was a quick step
and an astonished cry within the hall
and Harry sprang out.
''Erskine ErskineI' he shouted,
and he leaped down the steps with
both hands outstretched. you here
You-you old Indian-how did you get
here?" He caught Erskine by both
hands and then fell to shaking him by
the shoulders. "Where's your hOrseT'
| And then he noticed the boys pale
and embarrassed face and his eyes
shifting to Hugh, who stood, still cold,
still courteous, and he checked some
| hot outburst at his lips.
I'm glad you've come, and I'm glad
you've come. right now-where's your
horseT
81 left him hitched at the landing" +"
Erskine had to answer, and Harry
looked puzzled:
"The landing! Why, what" He
wheeled and shouted to a darky:
"Put Master Erskine's horse in the
barn and feed him." And he led Ers-
kline within-to the same room where
he had slept before, and poured out
some water in bowl.
"Take your time," he said, and he
went back to the porch. Erskine could
hear and see him through the latticed
blinds.
Hugh" said the lad in low, cold
voice, "I am host here, and If you don't
like this you can take that path"
you are right" was the answer
"but you wait until Uncle Harry gets
home"
The matter was quite plain to Ers
kline within. The presence Of Dane
Grey made it plain, and as ErskinE
dipped both hands into the cold water
he made up his mind to an under
standing with that young gentleman
that would be complete and final. AnC
so he was ready when he and Harr!
were on the porch again and Bar
bara and Grey emerged from the ros'
bushes and came slowly up the path
| Harry looked worried, but Erskine sa
still. with a faint smile at his moutl
and In his eyes. Barbara saw hin
first and she did not rush forward
Instead, she stopped, with wide eyes
a stifled cry, and lifting one hand to
ward her heart. Grey saw too, fiushe'
rather painfully, and calmed himself
Erskine had sprung down the steps.
"Why, have 1 changed so much?' h
, cried. Hugh didn't seem to know mi
Z either" His voice was gay, friendl!
even affectionate, but his eyes dance
t with strange lights that puzzled tn
: girl,
2 "Of course 1 knew you," she ia
5 tered, paling little, but gathering hel
2 self rather haughtily-a fact that Er'
kline seemed not to notice. you too
4 me by surprise and you have change
: but don't know how much" Tn
f significance of this too seemed to pas
s Erskine by, for he bent over Barbara
: hand and kissed 1t.
e "Never to you, my dear cousin" b
t said CALAMITY, and then he bowed