The Adair County news., 1922-09-05


less, and when Barbara stopped az
the sundial he too paused. She was
unhappy, and the coloneTs heart acheC
sorely, for any unhappiness of hers al.
ways trebled his own.
Little girl!'' he chilled, and no
lovers voice could have been more
gentle. "COme herew
She turned and saw him, with arms
outstretched, the low moon lighting
all the tenderness in his fine old face
and she flew to him and fell to Weep
ing on his breast. In wise silence
he stroSed her hair until she grew 8
little calmer.
WHAT'S the matter, little daugh
ter?"
"T-I-dOn't know"
81 understand. You were quite
right TO send him away, but you die
not want him harmed"
T-I-didn't want anybody harmed
'T know. It's too bad, bur none
of US seem quite to trust him."
That's it," she sobbed; Il don't.
either, and yet"
81 know. / know. My little girl
must be wise and brave, and maybe
it will all pass and she will be glad.
But she must be brave. Mother is not
well and she must not be made un-
happy too. She must not know. Can't
my little girl come back to the house
now? She must be hostess and this IS
Erskine's last night" She looked up,
brushing away her tears.
"His last night?" All, wise old
colonel!
"Yes-he goes tomorrow to join Cap
tain Clark at Williamsburg on his
foolish campaign in the Northwest.
We might never see him again."
"Oh, father"
"Well, it isn't that bad, but my lit
tie girl must be very nice to him. He
seems to be very unhappy, too"
Barbara looked thoughtful, hut
there was no pretense of not under
standing.
I'm sorry" she said. She took
her fathers arm, and when they
reached the steps Erskine saw her
smiling. And Smiling, almost gay,
she was at supper, sitting with ex-
quisite dignity in her mothers place
OF Erskine, who sat at her right, she
asked many questions about the COM
ing campaign. Captain Clark had said
he would go with hundred men if
he could get no more. The rallying
point would be the fort in Kentucky
where he had first come back to his
own people, and Dave Yandell would
be captain of company. He himself
was going as guide, though he hoped
to act as soldier as well. Perhaps
they might bring back the Hair
Buyer, General Hamilton, a prisoner
to Williamsburg, and then he would
join Harry and Hugh in the militia
# the war came south and Virginia
were invaded as some prophesied. by
TarletOn's White Rangers, who had
been ravaging the Carolinas. After
supper the little lady excused herself
with smiling courtesy to go to her
mother, and Erskine found himself
III lhc luOOIlllSll Ou lllc DlS pOIllCb
with Colonel Dale alone.
"Erskine," he said, "yOu make II
very difficult for me- to keep your
secret. Hugh alone seems to suspect
he must have got the idea from
Grey, but 1 have warned him to say
nothing. The others seem not to have
thought of the matter at all. 1t was
a boyiSh impulse Of generosity which
you may regret"
"Neyer," interrupted the Eboy. 81
have no useless than ever now"
Nevertheless" the colonel went on,
Il regard myself as merely your
steward, and I must tell you one thing.
Mr.. Jefferson, as you know, is always
at open war with people like US. His
hand Is against coach and four, silver
plate, and aristocrat. He is fighting
now against the law that gives prop
the bill. His argument is rather anus
ing. He says if you will show him that
the eldest son eats more, wears more.
and does more work than his brothers,
he will grant that that son Is en-
titled to more. He wants to blot out
all distinctions of class. He can't
do that, but he will pass this bill"
81 hope he WILL" muttered Erskine.
Barbara would not accept your
sacrifice nor would any of us, and it
is only fair that 1 should warn you
that some day, if you should change
your mind, and were no longer liv-
ing, you might be too late"
: "Please don't, Uncle Harry. 1t is
done-done Of course, 1t wasn't fair
for me to consider Barbara alone, but
she will be fair and you understand.
| wish you would regard the whole
matter as though / didn't exist"
81 can't do that, my boy. l am your
steward and when you want anything
you have only to let me know!''
ErSkine shook his head.
Il don't want anything-I need very
little, and when I'm in the woods. as
| expect to be most of the time, 1 need
nothing at ALL" Colonel Dale rose.
81 wish you would go to college at
Williamsburg for a year or two to-