The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1922-10-19

the rose bushes to the kitchen door.
Barbara, standing in the hall door
way, heard his step.
"Erskine" she cried softly, and she
came to meet him. with both hands
outstretched, and raised her lovely
face to be kissed. "What are you do.
ing here?"
Il am on my way to join General
Lafayette"
But YOU will be captured. 1t is dan.
gerous. The country is full of British
soldiers"
$50 | know" Erskine said dryly.
When did you get here?"
twenty minutes ago. 1 would not
have been welcome just then. wait
ed in the hedge 1 saw you had com.
panT."
Did YOU see them?" she faltered.
Il even recognized one of them"
Barbara sank into chair, her elbow
on one arm, her chin in her hand. her
face turned, her eyes looking outdoors.
She said nothing, but the toe of her
slipper began to tap the floor gently.
There was no further use for indirec-
tion or concealment.
Barbara" Erskine said with some
sternnesS. and his tone quckened the
tapping of the slipper and made her
little mouth tighten, what does all
thfs mean:"
did YOU see" she answered, with
out looking at him, that the crops
were all destroyed and the cattle and
horses were all gomez"
"Why did they spare the housc?'
The girls bosom rose with one quick,
defiant Intake of breath, and for a
moment she held it.
Dane Grey saved! our home"
"Hcw!"
He had known Colonel Tarleton in
London and had done something for
him over there"
How did he get in communication
with Colonel Tarleton when he was
oh oliicer in the American army?"
The girl would not answer.
Was he taken prisoner" Still she
was silent, for the sarcasm in Frs
kine's voice was angering her.
"Iie fought once under Benedict
perhaps he is fighting with
him now"
NO" she cried hotly.
Then he must be "a"
She did not allow him to utter the
word
"Why Mr.. Grey is in British uni
form is his secret-not mine"
".ind why he is here is-yours."
Exactly" she famed You are a
soldier Learn what you want to
know from him. You are my cousin.
but YOU are going beyond the rights
of blood. I won't stand 1T won't
stand it-from anybody"
Il don't understand you, Barbara
| don't know you. That last time it
was Grey, you-and now" He
paused and. in spite of herself, her
| eyes flashed toward the door. Frs.
kline saw it. drew himself erect,
bowed and strobe straight out. Nor
did the irony Of the situation so much
I as cross his mind-that he should he
turned from his own home by the
woman he loved and to whom he had
given that home Nor did he look
back-elSc he might have seen her
sink. Sohhing to the floor
When he turned the corner of the
house Harbarn'S old nanny ana
Ephiaim We're waiting for him at the
| kitchen door
"Ephraim," he said as he swung
| upon FREELY. "you and nanny keep
! Il close watch, and If I'm needed here,
come tor me yourself and come fast"
"iassnh. Marse Grey is su,n'ly up
! to some dcvilmint no which side he
iichtin' fer | got a gal ovch on the
aigc o dc Grey plantation an she tel
me dat Marse Dane Grey don't wear
! dat white uniform all de time"
whats that-what's that!" asked
/ Erskinc.
mo, suh She say he got an udlcr
uniform, same as yose, an he keeps
it at her uncle Sans cabin an she's
seed him go dar in white an come out
in our uniform, an al'ays at night,
Marse Erskine-al'ays at night"
The negro cooked his ear suddenly:
TAKE to Gle woods quick. Marse
Erskinc. Horses comm down the
| road"
But the sound of coming hoofbeats
had reached the woodsmans ears
| some seconds before the black man
heard them. and already Erskine had
wheeled away. And Ephram saw
Fire!ly skim along the edge Of
| blackened meadow behind its hedge
| of low trees
"Gawd.' said the black boy, and
he stood watching the road. band
OF whtc-coated troopers was coming
in cloud Of dust, and at the head
of them rode Dane Grey.
HAS Capt. ErSkine Dale been
herc| he demanded.
| Ephraim had his own reason for
being on the good side of the oues
TONER and did not even hesitate.
| "1aSsuh-he jcs lef'! Oar he poes
| ~ WITH q