The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1922-09-21

can't explain. But I get choked
and can't breathe-such longing
for the woods comes over me
and I can't help me. must go-and
nothing can hold me-"
"Your father was that way" said
Colonel Dale sadly. "You may get
over it, but he never did. And It must
he harder for you because Of your
early associations. Good night, and
God bless you." And the kindly gentle
man was gone. -
Erskine sat where he was. The
house was still and there were no
noises from the horses and cattle In
the barn-none from roosting peacock,
turkey, and hen. From the far-away
quarters came family the merry mel
low notes Of fiddle, and farther still
the song Of some counting negro return
Ing home. A drowsy bird twittered in an
ancient elm at the corner Of the house.
The flowers dropped In the moonlight
which bathed the great path, streamed
across the great river, and on up to it's
source In the great yellow disk float
Ing In majestic serenity high in the
cloudless sky. And that path, those
flowers, that house, the barn, the cat
tie, sheep, and hogs, those grain-ields
and grassy acres, even those singing
black folk, were all-all his II he but
said the words. The thought was no
temptation-it was a mighty wonder
that such a thing could be. And that
was all 1t was-a wonder-to him, but
to them It was the world. Without
Il all, what would they do? Perhaps
Mr.. Jefferson might soon solve the
problem for him. Perhaps he might
not return from that wild campaign
against the British and the Indians
he might get killed. And then a
thought gripped him and held him
fast-he need not come back. That
mighty wilderness beyond the noun
tains was his real home-out there
was his real life. He need not come
back, and they would never know.
Then came thought that almost
made him groan. There was a light
step In the hall, and Barbara came
swiftly out and dropped on the top
most step with her chin in both hands.
Almost ut once she seemed to feel his
presence, for she turned her head
quickly.
"Erskine!" AS quickly he rose, en-
barassed beyond speech.
"Come here! Why, you look guilty
what have you been thinking?" He
was startled by her intuition, but he
recovered himself swiftly.
II suppose l will always feel guilty
II 1 have made you unhappy"
you haven't made me unhappy.
don't know what you have made me.
You saw how I felt II you had killed
him, but you don't know how I would
have felt If he had killed you. I
don't myself"
She began patting her hands gently
and helplessly together, and again she
dropped her chin into them with her
eyes lifted to the moon.
II shall he very unhappy when you
are gone. I wish you were not going,
but I know that you are-you can't
help It." Again he was startled
whenever you look at that moon
over in that dark wilderness, I wish
you would please think of your little
cousin-will you?" She turned eagerly
and he was too moved to speak-he
only bowed his head as for a prayer
or a benedictiOn.
You don't know how often our
thoughts will cross, and that will be
9 great comfort to me. Sometimes I
am afraid. There is a wild strain on
my mothers side, and 1t is in me.
Papa knows 1t and he is wise-sO
wise--I am afraid may sometimes do
something very foolish and II won't
he me at all. 1t will be somebody
that died long ago" She put both
her hands over both his and held
them tight
II want you to make me promise"
Anything" said the boy huskily.
Il want you to promise me that, no
matter when, no matter where you
are. IL / need you and send for you
you will come" And Indian.like he
put his forehead on both her little
hands.
THANK you. I must go now" Be
wildered and dazed the boy rose and
awkwardly put out his hand
"Kiss ME good-by." She put her
arms about his neck, and for the first
time in his life the boys lips met a
woman's For moment she put her
face against his and at his ear was n
whisper.
"Good-by. Erskine" And she was
-swiftly-leaving the boy in n
dizzy world Of falling stars through
which a white light leaped to heights
bis soul had never dreamed.