Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1922-08-17
CHAPTER v-continusd.

''Come, Harryl" With q gallant
bow Harry offered his left arm. and
gathering the little Kentuckian with
her left, the regal lady swept out. In
the reception-roOm she kept the boy
by her. side. Every man who APP
preached bowed. and soon the lad was
bowling, too. Barbara almost cried
out her establishment and pleasure
when she saw what handsome figure
he made in his new clothing, and all
her little friends were soon darting
surreptitiOus glances at him, and
many whispered questions and pleas
ing comments were passed around.
Then General Willoughby bowed with
noble dignity before Mrs. Dale, and
the two led the way to the dining
room.
Harry" she said, "you and Bar
bara take care of your cousin"
And almost without knowing 1t the
young Kentuckian bowed to- Barbara,
who cOurtesied and took his arm.
The table flashed with silver and
crystal on snowy-white damask and
was brilliant with colored candles.
The little woodsman saw the men
draw back chairs for the ladies, and
he drew back Barbara's before Hugh,
on the other side Of her, could fore
stall him. The boy had never seen
so many and so mysterious-lookin
things to eat and drink. One glass
of wine he took, and the quick dlzzi-
ness that assailed him frightened
him, and he did not touch It again.
Beyond Barbara, Hugh leaned for
ward and lifted his glass to him. He
shook his head and Hugh flushed
"Our Kentucky cousin is not very
polite-he Is something Of a barbarian
naturally"
"He doesn't understand" said Bar
bara quickly, who had noted the In
cident, and she turned to her cousin.
Papa says you are going to live
with us and you are going to study
with Harry under Mr.. Brockton."
"Our tutor" explained Harry;
''there he is across there. He is an
Engllshman."
"Tutorr questioned the boy.
"School-teacher," laughed Harry.
"OhP
Haven't you any school-teachers
at home"
'No, 1 learned to read and write a
little from Dave and Lyddy."
And then he had to tell who they
were, and he went on to tell them
about Mother Sanders and Honor and
Bud and Jack and Polly Conrad and
Lydia and Dave, and all the frontier
folk, and the life they led, and the
Indian fights, which thrilled Barbara
and Harry, and forced even Hugh to
listen-though once he laughed incred-
ulOusly, and in a way that Of q sudden
shut the boys lips tight and made
Barbara color and Harry look grave.
Hugh then turned to his wine and be-
gan soon to look more flushed and
sulky. Shortly after the ladies left,
Hugh followed them. and Harry and
the Kentuckian moved toward the
head Of the table where the men had
gathered around Colonel Dale.
EYES," said General Willoughby, ut
looks as though 1t might come"
with due Difference to Mr.. Brock
ton" said Colonel Dale, ut looks as
though his country would force us to
some action"
They we're talking about impending
war. Far away as his wilds were, the
boy had heard some talk Of war In
them, and he listened greedily to the
quick fire Of question and argument
directed to the Engiishman, who held
his own with such Bturdiness that
Colonel Dale, fearing the heat might
become too great, laughed and skill
fully shifted the theme. Through
hall and doorwnys came now merry !
sounds Of fiddle and banjo.
Near a doorway between parlor and |
hall sat the fiddlers three. Gallant
bows and dainty courtesyings and
uimble feet were tripping measures