The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-09-07

word Of apology, went to his ROOM
and Colonel Dale sat down on the
porch alone.
As the dusk gathered, Erskine, look
Ing gloomily through his window
saw the girl futter like a white moth |
past the box-hedge and down the
path. A moment later he saw the tall
form of Colonel Dale follow her-and
both passed from sight. On the thick
turf the colonel's feet too were noise
less, and when Barbara stopped at
the suudlal he too paused. She was
unhappy, and the colonel's heart ached
sorely, for any unhappiness of hers al
ways trebled his own.
Little girl" he called, and no
lovers voice could. have been more
gentle. "Come here!'
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 stroked her hair until she grew
little calmer.
"What's the matter, little daugh'
teri"
"I-I-don't know"
81 understand You were quite
right to send him away, but you did
ni,t want him harmed"
l"I-I-didn't want ANYBODY harmed"
l"I know. It's too bad, but none
L, US seem quite to trust him."
That's it," she sobbed; Il don't,
either, and yet"
Il know. I know. My little girl
must be wise and brave, and maybe
II will all pass and she will be glad'
But she must be brave. Mother Is not
we'll and she must not be made un:
happy too. She must not know. Can't
nv little girl come back to the house
now2 She must be hostess and this Is
Erskine's last night She looked up
brushing away her tears.
His last nlght2" An, wise Ole
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. III
seems to be very unhappy, too"
Barbara looked thoughtful, bu
there was no pretense Of not under
standing.
I'm sorry. she said. She tool
her fathers arm, and when the
reached the steps Erskine saw he
smiling. And smiling, almost gay
she was at supper, sitting with e,
quislte dignity in her mothers place
OF Erskine, who sat at her right, sh
asked many questions about the con
ing campaign. Captain Clark had sal
he would go with a hundred men
he could get no more. The rallyln
point would be the fort, in Kentuck
where he had first come back to h
own people, and Dave Yandell woul
be captain Of a company. He himse
was going as guide, though ne hope
; to act as soldier as well. Perhal
they might bring back the Hal
Buyer, General Hamilton, a PRISON.
to Williamsburg, and then he won
Join Harry and Hugh in the mlllt
!, n the war came south and Virgin
were invaded, as some prophesied,
, Tarleton's White Rangers, who hi
: been ravaging the Carolinas. Att
supper the little lady excused herse
!, with smiling courtesy to 60 to h
mother, and Ersklne found himst
In the moonlight on the big portl
= with Colonel Dale alone.
,, "Ersklne," he said. "you make
very difficult for me to keep 70
secret. Hugh alone seems to suspe
s --he must have got the idea FRI
= Grey, but I have warned him to S
g nothing. The others seem not to ha
;, thought Of the matter at all. It "
Il a boyish impulse Of generosity viii
you may regret"
"Never," interrupted the boy.
: have no use less than ever now"
u Nevertheless" the colonel went
u regard myself as merely yt
steward, and I must tell you one Thu
&c Mr.. Jefferson, as you know, is alive
10 at open war with people like US. !
III hand Is against coach and four, sill,
r plate, and aristocrat. He is fight
now against the law that gives pr
"a erty to the eldest son, and he will p
the bill. His argument Is rather am
in ing. He says II you will show him Il
s. the eldest son eats more, wears nj
In and does more work than his brotht
ye he will grant that that son Is
ef titled to more. He wants to blot
e. all distinctions Of class. He c.
ut do that, but he will pass this bill.
er .'Ihope he will," muttered Erskil
Barbara would not accept y
,u sacrifice nor would any Of US, AM
he is only fair that / should warn
so that some day, * you should cha
3. your mind, and ! were no longer
a ing. ron might bea too late"
u, please don't, Uncle Hall !,
en- Ii done done. OF course, 49,
ha {Qr ne to consider RaEeall Alone
s-as . -. III - . - y =