The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-02-21
Erskine Dale Pioneer
BY JOHN FOX JR.
Copyright 1919. 1890 by. Charles scrtbners Sons

| she wheeled and was away again
Harry flying after her. No one
spoke. Colonel Dale looked aghast
and Ersklne's heart again turned
AS the dusk gathered that even.
ing, Erskine. looking gloomily
through his window, saw Barbara
fluttor like white moth past the
box hedge and down the path. A
moment later he saw the tall form
OF Colonel Dale follow her. On tho
thick turf the Colonel's feet too
wero noiseless. and when Barbara
stopped at tho sun-dial he too
paused.
Little girl he called, and no
flowers voice could have been more
gentle. Como here
She turned and saw him, the low
moon lighting all the tenderness In
his fine old face, and she flew to
him In wise silence he stroked her
hair until she grew a little calner.
What's tho matter, little daugh-
ter?"
harmed"
Il know. It's too bad, but none
OF US seem quite TO trust Mr.. Grey.
That's It., she sobbel: II don't
either, and yet"
Il know. know. My little girl
must be wise and brave. Mother
Is not well and she must not be
made unhappy too. Cant my little
girl come back to the house now?
She must DO hostess and this is
Erskinc's last night" She looked
up, brushing away her tears.
Ills last night?" Alb. wise old
colonel
She took her fathers arm and
when they reached the steps Ersk-
inc saw her smiling. And smiling
almost gay, she was at supper, sit
ting with exquisite dignity IN her
mothers place. Harry and Hight
looked amazed, and her fathor,
who knew the bit Of tempered steel
she was, smiled his encouragement
proudly. Erskine who sat at her
right. she asked many questions
about the coming campaign.
After supper the little lady ex-
cused herself with a smiling cour-
tesy to go TO her mother. Erskinc
found himself in the moonlight on
the big portico with Colonel Dale
alone.
"Erskine." he said. you make IT
very difficult for me to keep youl
secret. It was a boyish impulse Of
generosity which made you give
this estate to Barbara"
Never" interrupted, the boy. 81
havc no useless than ever now :
Barbara would not accept your
sacrifice nor would any OF us, and
II is only fair that ! should warn
you that some day, II You should
change your mind, and ! were nc
longer living, you might be Toe
late
please don't, Unclo Harry. II
is done-done. OF course It wasn't
fair for me to consider Barbara
alone. but she will be fair and you
understand. wish you would re-
gard the whole matter as though
didn't exist.
Then Erskine's eyes darkened.
Uncle Harry. you may think me
foolish, but | don't like. or trust
Grey. What was he doing with
those British traders out in the
Northwest He was not buying
furs. MS absurd. Why was he
hand In glove with Lord Dun.
Imore?"
Lord Dunmore had a daughter
was the dry reply, and Erskine
flung out q gesture that made
words unnecessary. Colonel Dale
crossed the porch and put his hand
on tho lads shoulder.
"Erskine," he said. don't worry
'-and-dont' give up hope. DO pa
tient, walt, come back to us. Go Il
William and Mary. Fit yourself to
be one OF us In oil ways. Then
everything may yet come out In the
only way that would be fitting and
right" Tho boy blushed and the
colonel went on earnestly:
Z can think Of nothing in the
world that would make me quite so
happy"
IT'S no use," the boy said trem-
blingly, I'm not fiE for her NOR for
this life. l can't get over my life In
the woods and among the Indians
II can't explain. hut I get cbnkai|