The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-09-07

hoofs As he snatched it from the
ground and turned, with a wicked
smile over his grinding teeth, came
Harry's shout, and as he rushed for
Erskine, Colonel Dale swung from his
horse. The swOrd-blades clashed,
Erskine whipping back and forth in a
way TO make a swOrdsman grOan-ald
Colonel Dale had Erskine by the wrist
and was between them.
"How dare you, sir?' cried Grey
| holly.
"Just a moment, young gentleman"
said Colonel Dale calmly.
"Let us alone, Uncle Harry-l-"
Just moment" repeated the
colonel sternly. "Mr. Grey, do you
think 1t quite fair that you with your
skill should fight a man who knows
nothing about foils?'
"There was no other way" Grey
said sullenly.
"And you could not wait, | pre-
sume| Grey did not answer. .
"Now, hear what I have to say, ant
| II you both do not agree, the matter
will be arranged to your entire salts
faction, Mr.. Grey. have but ont
question to ask. Your country is a
war. She needs every man for he
defense. Do you not think your live
belong to your country and that it, i
selfish and unpatriOtic just now Il
risk them in any other cause" HI
waited for his meaning to sink in, AM
sink 1t did,
Colonel Dale, your nephew grossl
: insulted me, and your daughter showe
me the door. made no defense t
him nor to her, but l will to you.
merely repeated what had been tol
: and ! believed it true. Now that
hear it Is not true, agree with yol
> sir, and I am willing to express m
regrets and apologies"
: "That Is better" said Colonel Dial
! heartily, and he turned TO Erskine, br
Erskine was crying hotly:
: "And express neither"
"Very WE'LL" sneered Grey coldl,
perhaps we may meet when your re
J atives are not present to protect you
l. "Uncle Harry" Erskine implore
but Grey was turning toward his hors
q "After all, Colonel Dale Is right
EYES, assented Erskine helplessl
II and then-"it is possible that we sha
not always be on the same side."
II $50 l thought" returned Grey W.T.
lifted eyebrows, ''when l heard what
:" did about you'll" Both Harry al
Hugh had to catch ErslAne by an ar
. then, and they led him strugglil
away Grey mounted his horse, lift
:, his hat, and was gone. Colonel Da
- picked up the swords.
"Now," he said, enough Of
this-let it be forgotten
e And he laughed.
!" you'll have to confess, Erskine
: he has quick tongue and you mt
: think only of his temptation to use i
: Erskine did not answer.
" AS they rode back Colonel d.
~ spoke Of the war. 1t was about
" move into Virginia, he said, and VIII
1t did Both Harry and Hugh int
:. rupted him with glad shout:
~ "We~ean 60" Colonel Dale nodd
!. sadly.
10 Suddenly all pulled their horses
10 simultaneously and raised their ey
# for all heard the coming Of a horse
10 a dead run. Around thicketed Gull
n Of the road came Barbara, with
+ face white and her hair streaming
i. hind her She pulled her pony In |
= a few feet In front Of them, with
" burning eyes on Erskine alone.
" 4Haye. you killed hlm--haye
lie killed him? II you have
d stopped helpless, and oil were
III amazed that none could answer. 3
81 kline Hook his head. There was
% flash 0f relief in the girls white ia
re its leeklessness gave way to sudt
4 shape and. without a word /