The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-08-18
CHAPTER xI-continued.

whenY"
"At the first opportunity"
From this moment l shall be wal
Ing for nothing else"
Barbara, reappearing, heard the
last words, and she came forward pal
and with piercing eyes:
cousin Ersliine, l want to apol,
gize to you for my little faith. / hop
you will forgive me. Mr.. Grey, you
horse will be at the door at once.
wish you safe journey-to your cox
mand." Grey bowed and turned-furi
Gus.
Erskine was on the porch when Gre.
came out to mount his horse.
you will want seconds?" asked
Grey.
''lhey might try to stop us-no"
81 shall ride slowly" Grey said
Erskine bowed.
81 shall not"
Nor did he. Within half an hour
! Barbara, passing through the hall, saw
that the raplers were gone from the
wall and she stopped with the color
fled from her face and her hand on her
heart. At that moment Ephraim
dashed from the kitchen.
Miss Barbary, somebody gwine to
git killed. l was wukkin' in de ole
field an Marse Grey rid by cussin' to
hisself. Jist now Marse Erskine went
tearin' by de landin' wild couple o.
swords under his arm" His eyes too
went to the wall. "Yes, bless Gawd.
dey's gone" Barbara flew out the
door.
In a few moments she had found
Harry and Hugh. Even while their
horses were being saddled her father
rode up.
''Its murder" cried Harry, "and
Grey knows 1t. ErskIne knows moth
ing about a rapier"
Without word Colonel Dale
wheeled his tired horse and soon
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 In
those days.
Meanwhile, at a swift gallop Firefy
was skimming along the river road
Grey had kept his word and more he
had not only ridden slowly but he had
stopped and was waiting at an oak
tree that was a cornerstone between
Two plantations.
THAT I may not kill you on your
own land" he said.
Erskine started. 1.-THE consideration
is deeper than you know"
They hitched their horses. and Frs
kline followed into a pleasant glade
a grassy glade through which MUIR
INJURED little stream. Erskine dropped
the rapiers on the sward.
Take your choice" he said
'There is nome" said Grey. picking
up the one nearer to him. 81 know |
them both" Grey took off his coat |
while Erskine waited. Grey made the |
usual moves of courtesy and still Frs |
kline waited wonderingly, with the
point Of the rapier on the ground.
"When you are ready" he said, will
you please let me known"
READY" answered Grey, and he
unged forward Erskine merely
whipped at his blade so that the clang
" II whined on the air to the break
ng-point and sprang backward. He
vas as quick as an eyelash and 1.-the
IS panther, and yet Grey almost
aughed aloud. All Erskine did was
o whip the thrusting blade aside and
cap out of danger like a flash of light.
was like an inexpert boxer fail
ne according TO rules unknown
nd Grey's face famed and actually
lrned anxious. Then. as kindly
ite would have it. Erskines blade
iught in Grey's guard by accident.
nd the powerful wrist behind ii seek
* merely TO wrench the weapon I
Ose tore Grey's rapier from his grasp
nd hurled II ten feet away. There $
no greater humiliation for the ex-
srt swordSman. and not for nothing S
I'd Erskine suffered the shame of
at long-ago day when a primitive a
stinct had led him to thrusting his O
life into this same enemy's breast. f
Dw. with his swords point on the h
nth. he waited courteOusly for Grey a
recover his weapon. b
Again kindly fate interviewed.
zen as Grey rushed for his sword. k
'Skine heard the beat of horses 81
offs. AS he snatched it from the al
ound and turned, with a wicked Ii
lie over his grinding teeth. came III
lrry's shout, and as he rushed for IL
skine. Colonel Dale swung from his 81
rse. The sword-blades clashed. V
skine whipping back and forth in fl,
~ TO make swOrdsman groan-and ID
ionel Dale had Erskine by the wrist | he
Z was between them.
How dare you. sir?" cried Grey
Ily.
Just a moment. young gentleman"