The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1922-09-28

the great nail door and another and
another-and after them Barbara
smiling. Tie boys blood ran hot
smiling at her enemies. Two officers
bowed, Barbara courtesied, and they
wheeled on their heels and descended
the steps. The third stayed behind a
moment, bowed over, her hand and
kissed 1t. The watchers blood turned
then to liquid fire. Great God, at
what price was that noble old house
left standing7 Grimly. swiftly Err
skine turned, sliding through the
bushes like snake to the edge Of
the road along which they must pass.
He would fight the three, for his life
was worth nothing now. He heard
them laughing. talking at the stiles.
He heard them speak Barbara's
name, and two seemed to be banter
Ing the third, whose answering laugh
seemed acquiescent and triumphant.
They were coming now. The boy had
his pistols out, primed and cooked.
He was rising on his knees. just about
to leap to his feet and out into the
road, when he fell back into a
startled, paralyzed, inactive heap.
+ Giimpsed through an opening In the
bushes, the leading trooper in the uni
form Of Tarleton's legion was none
other than Dane Grey. and Erskine's
brain had worked quicker than his
angry heart. This was a mystery
that must be solved before his pistols
spoke. He rose crouching as the
troopers rode away. II Tarleton's
men were around he would better
leave Firefy where he was in the
woods for while. A startled gasp
behind HIM made him wheel, pistol
once more in hand, to find a negro.
mouth wide open and staring at him
from the road.
"Marse ErskineI" he gasped. 1t
was Ephraim, the boy who had led
Barbara's white ponies out long, long
ago, now a tall, muscular lad with
an ebony face and dazzling teeth.
"Whut you doin' hyeh, suh7 Whar'
yo' hossf Gawd, Use sutnly glad to
see yuh.' Erskine pointed to an oak.
Fright by that tree. Put him in
the stable and feed him."
The negro shook his head.
mo, sub. I'll take de feed down
to him. Too many redcoats messIn'
round heah. You bettah 60 in de back
day--dey might see yuh."
Wasn't one Of those soldiers who
just rode away Mr.. Dane GreyY
The negro hesitated.
"Yassuh."
whats he doing in British uni
form?"
The boy shifted his great shoulders
uneasily and looked aside.
II don't know, suh-I don't know
nuttin'."
Erskine knew he was lying, but re-
spected his loyalty.
go tell Miss Barbara I'm here and
then feed my horse"
"Yassuh."
Ephraim went swiftly and Erskine
followed along the hedge and through
the rose bushes to the kitchen door.
Barbara, standing in the hall door,
way, heard his step.
:'Erskine" she cried softly, and she
came to meet him, with both hands
outstretched, and raised her lovely
face to be kissed. "What are you do
ing hereT -.
IL am on my way to join General
Lafayette"
'But you will be captured 1t is dan.
gerous. The country Is full of British
soldiers"
$50 l know" Erskine said dryly.
when did you get here?"
"Twenty minutes ago. I would not
have hnon t,,c<
ed In the hedge. saw you had com.
pany"
did you see them?" she faltered.
II even recognized one of them"
Barbara sank into a chair, her elbow
on one arm, her chin in her hand, he1
face turned. her eyes looking outdoors
She said nothing, but the toe OF heI
slipper began to tap the floor gently.
There was no further use for in,iirec.
tion or concealment.
Barbara" Ers<ine said with some
sternness, and his tone Quickened the
tapping Of the slipper and made her
little mouth tighten. what does all
this mean?"
"Did you see," she answered, with.
out looking at him. that the crops
were all destroyed and the cattle and
horses were all gomez
"Why did they spare the EouseY
The girls bosom rose with one uuick
defiant intake Of breath, and for q
moment she held 1t.
"Dane Grey saved our home"
"HOw?"
"He had known Colonel Tarleton in
London and had done something for
him over there"
"How did he get In communication
with Colonel Tarleton when he was
an officer in the American armyT
The girl would not answer.
"Was he taken prisoner2" Still she
was silent, for the sarcasm in Frs
kine's voice was angering her.
"He fought once under Benedict
A|.szlM.