The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-02-28


shadow or the thicket:
"qive one to Mr.. Grey, Ephraim,
= and the other to me"
"Ephraim," warned Erskine. take
is pistol. You may need it, to pro.
-t yourself"
yes" returned Grey, and
ly instruct him not to use II TO
. Act you." For answer Erskine
2 from the shadow -dscarding
- oourtesles.
\ - gardew he called sternly.
two shining blades clashed
and quivered against each
in the moonlight.
e meetty was cautious at first trying
, leagr his opponents increase in Skill:
ol nc" You have made marked improve.
,nent"
e Thank YOU" smiled Erskine.
Your wrist is much stronger"
Naturally" Grey leaped backward
{ and parried Just in time a vicious
, thrust that was like a dart of light.
ming.
l. An Frenchman taught you
! that"
"A Frenchman taught me all the
, little | know"
1 Il wonder if he taught you how 10
meet this"
He did answered Erskine. parry
i ing easily and with an answering
( thrust that turned Grey suddenly
anxious Grey began 10 breath heav-
ily.
\ Il think, TOO" said Erskine, that
r nay wind is better than yours-would
you like short restins-spell?'
b From the shadow Ephraim chuck
h led. and Grey snapped
|. Make that black devil"
Keep quiet, Ephraim;" broke in
I .Erskine sternly.
Grey was getting angry now and
q was beginning to pant.
Your wind is short" said Erskine
0 with mock compassion. Il will give
c you . little breathing spell pres
sently"
Grey was not wasting his precious
4 breath now and he made no answer.
Now said Erskine sharply. and
Greys blade flew from his hand and
/, lay like streak OF silver on the
. dewy grass. Grey rushed for it.
T Damn you" he ragged. and wheeled
I furously-patifnce humor and eau
D ton quite gone-and they fought now
in deadly silence.
There was the sound OF voices, and
It was evident that the game had
, ended in quarrel and the players
were coming up the river bank toward
. them. Erskine heard, but IL Grey did
: he at first gave no sign-he was toe
, much concerned with the death that
i faced him. Suddenly Erskine knew
that Grey had heard. for the fear in
his face gave way to diabolic grin
. ot triumph and he lashed suddenly
into defense--if he could protect him
self only little longerl Erskine hat
delayed the finishing stroke too lon,
snd he must make It now.
Grey gave way step by step-pary
ing only. The blades flashed like tiny
bNs of lightning. Erskine's face
grim and inexorable, brought the sici
fear back into Greys. and Erskin'
ssw his enemy's lips open.
He lunged then. his blade Wen
0 true. sank 10 the hilt. and Grey
Il warped soul started on its way will
craven cry for help. Erskin'
sprang back into the shadows an'
. snatched his pistol from Ephralm'
hand:
I Get out OF the way now. Tel
V them / did it,"
u once he looked back. lie saw Bar
'e bara 1t the hall door with old Mamm
Y behind her. With u running leap h
n yaulted The hedge. and. hidden in III
-, bushes. Ephraim heard Firefly's hoof
apr h,atine ever more family the sand
G road
e, XXlII.
Yorktown broke the British heart
o. aud General Dale went home 10 Re
Or Oaks. lie had pleced out the fu
ir slory Of Barbara and Erskine an
iri Dane Grey. and wisely he told he
'fri first OF Greys dark treachery, an
drs. The : Srl listened with horrit!ed silence
irs. 4 have never understood abou
drs. i.ygegf---and that man" she said an
hrs. NneNer will.
hrs. WI do, said the general gently
'ir" "snd / understand you through m
4 sister who was so like you. Ersklne
4 father was as indignant rs Harry
4 nov. ana | am trying to act towar
Il ,ou as my father did toward her
Il The girl pressed her lips 10 one
u nis hands.
Il 4 think ia better tell you N
Il whole story now" said General Dali
u and he told OF Ersklne's father. IA
Il wlldnsss and his wanderings, his ma
" riase. and the capture Of his wi
VI and the little son by the Indians. q
Il VI which she knew, and the glrl wo
II aersd why he should be telling h
Il again The general paused
n You Know Ersklnes mother ".
r. not killed. lie found her. The Il
hrs, looked up amazed and incredulou..
Iirs. Yes" he went on the white wof
,lrs. IN whom he found In the Indian v
Yrs. lase vas his mother
'fisr Father She lifted her head quic
VT Is leaned back with hands causl
u tight Ia 'front.' OF her, looked up In
n.a face--heg own crimsoning AZ
psllng as che took In the full msa
! ms OF Il oil. Her eyes dropped.
a Then" she said slowly. that I
y dian slrl--Early Morn-is his hal
!, sister. oh. OH = great pity floc
: - hvr heart and eyes. Why dldr
.fskine take them away from u
Indians"
y His mother wouldn't leave them
! poor thing--poor thins"
= 4 think Efskine 10 going TO u
> now
! "pid YOU tell him to bring the
! nste7" The general put his hand I
her head
Il hoped you would gay that