New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1922-02-21

she stopped, with the color fed from
her face and her hand on her heart
IT'S murder" cried Harry, "ant
Grey knows II. Erskne knows moth
Ing about "a rapicr,"
Without word Colonel Dale
wheeled his tired horse and soor
Harry and Hugh dashed after him
Barbara walked back to the house
wringing her hands, but on the porch
she sat quietly in the agony of wait
ing that was the role OF women ir
those days.
Meanwhile. Firehy was skimminl
his word He was waiting between
two plantations.
They hitched their horses, and Err.
skine followed into a pleasant glade
grassy glade through which muir.
INJURED little stream. Erskine drop.
ped the rapiers on the sward.
Take your choice" he said.
There is none" said Grey, picking
up the one nearer to him.
when you are ready" Erskint
said.
Ready answered Grey, and
lunged.
Erskinc merely whipped at his
blade and sprang backward. He was
as quick as an eyelash and 1.-the as
a panther, and yet Grey almost
laughed aloud.
All F,rskine did was to whip the
thrusting blade aside and leap on,
of danger like flash Of light. II
was like an inexpert boxer failing ac-
cording to rules unknown--and Grey's
face famed and actually turned anX-
ious.
Then, Eskine's blade caught in
Greys guard by accident, and the
powerful wrist behind it seeking
merely to wrench the weapon loose
tore Greys rapier from his grasp and
hurled it ten feet away. With his
swords point on the earth, he waited
courteously for Grey to recover his
weapon.
AS Grey rushed for his sword, En-
skine heard the beat of horses hoofs.
He snatched it from the ground and
turned, and as he rushed for Erskine,
Colonel Dale swung from his horse.
The sword blades clashed--and Col,
Dale had Erskine by the wrist and
was between them.
"How dare you, SIR" cried Grey
hotly.
Just a moment" repeated the
colonel sternly. "Mr Grey, do you
think it quite fair that you with your
skill should fight man who knows
nothing about foils?'
There was no other way Grey
said sullenly.
Your country is at war. She needs
every man for her defense. DO you
not think your lives belong to your
country"
Colonel Dale, your nephew gross
ly insulted me, and your daughter
showed me the door. l merely re-
peated what | had been told and ]
believed it true. Now that | hear 1t
is not true, ! am willing to express
my regrets and apologies.
THAT is better" said Colonel Dale
heartily, and he turned to Erskine,
but Erskine was crying hotly:
And l express neither"
AS lHey IOut DdCh SOlOIltl I)dlS
spoke of the war. 1t was about to
move into Virginia, he said, and when
it did Both Harry and Hugh inter-
rupted him with a glad shout:
I'VE can go!'' Colonel Dale nodded
sadly
Suddenly all pulled their horses in
simultaneously and raised their eyes,
for all heard the coming Of a horse
in dead run Around a thicketed
curve of the road came Barbara. with
her face white and her hair stream
ing behind her. She pulled her pony
in but few feet in front of them,
with burning eyes on Erskine alone.
Have you killed him-have you
killed him? If you have" She
stopped helpless and all were SO
amazed that none could answer. En-
skine shook his head. There was a
flash of relief in the girls white face
its recklessness gave way to sudden
shame, and, without a word, she
wheeled and was away again-Harry
flying after her. No one spoke
Colonel Dale looked aghast and Err
skine's heart again turned sick.
XVI.
AS the dusk gathered that evening
Erskine, looking gloomily through
his window, saw Barbara futter like
white moth past the box-hedge and
down the path. A moment later he
saw the tall form Of Colonel Dale
follow her. On the thick turf the
colonel's feet too were noiseless, and
when Barbara stopped at the sun
dial he too paused
Little girl!" he called, and no low
ers voice could have been more gen
tie Come here!"
She turned and saw him, the low
moon lighting all the tenderness in
his fine old face, and she flew to him.
In wise silence he stroked her hair
until she grew little calmer.
whats the matter, little daugh-
ter?"
Ill didn't want anybody
harmed"
Il know. It's too bad. but none Of
us seem quite to trust MIR. Grey
That's it, she sobbcd; Il don't
either. and yet"
Il know. ! know. My little girl
must be wise and brave. Mother is
not well and she must not be made
unhappy too. Can't my little girl
come back to the house now? She
IA. 49,