The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1922-10-05


shoor nim. An. oar skeer MISS BarA
barry mos to death an hep make her
go wild him. Nanny heah'd ever
word dey say"
Erskine's brain was working fast,
but no plan would come. They would
be six against him, but no matter-he
urged Firefy on. The red ball from
which Ephraim had leaped had gone
down now. The chill autumn dark.
ness was settling, but the moon was
rising full and glorious over the black
expanse Of trees when the lights Of
Red Oaks arst twinkled ahead.
The negro turned from the road
through gate, and Erskine heard
the thud of his horses hoofs across
the meadow turf. He rode on slow
ly, hitched Firefiy as close to the edge
OF the road as was safe, and crept to
the edge Of the garden, where he
could peer through the hedge. The
hall door was open and the hallway
lighted; so was the dining room; and
there were lights In Barbara's room.
There were no noises, not even Of ami
mai life. and no figures moving about
or In the house. What could he dol
One thing at least, no matter what
happened to him-he could number
Dane Grey's days and make this night
his last on earth. 1t would probably
be his own last night, too. Impa-
tiently he crawled back to the edge OF
the rond. More quickly than he ex.
petted, he saw Ephraim's figure Slip.
ping through the shadows toward him.
"Dey's JUS through supper" he re-
ported. Miss Barbary didn't eat wild
'em. Shes up in her room. Dat ud.
der OFFICER been storinin' at Marss
Grey an hurryin' him up. Nanny
been holdin' de little missus back all
she can. She say she got to make
like she heppin' her pack"
"Ephraim," said Erskine quickly.
"go tell Mr.. Grey that one of his men
wants to see him right away at the
sundial When he starts down the
path you run around the hedge and
be, on hand In the bushes"
"Yassuh," and the boy showed his
teeth In, comprehending smile. 1t
was not long before he saw Grey's
tall figure easily emerge from the hall
door and stop full in the light. He
saw Ephraim slip around the corner
and Grey move to the end of the
porch, doubtless in answer to the
black boys whispered summons For
a moment the two figures were mo-
donless and then Erskine began to
tingle acutely from head to foot. Grey
came swiftly down the great path,
which was radiant with moonlight.
AS Grey neared the dial Erskine
moved toward him, keeping in a dark
shadow, but Grey saw him and called
In low tone but sharply:
'Well, what is it? With two PAGES
more Erskine stepped out into the
moonlight with his cooked pistol at
Grey's breast.
"This," he said quietly. Make no
noise-and don't move" Grey was
startled, but he caught his control In
stantly and without fear.
''You are a brave man, Mr.. Grey,
and so,. for that matter, is-Benedict
Arnold"
Captain Grey" corrected Grey in
solently.
IL do not recognize your rank. To
me you are merely Traitor Grey"
you are entitled to unusual free
dom Of speech-under the circum-
stances"
II shall grant you the same free
dom,' Erskine replied quickly-.-"in a
moment. Twice you have said that
you would fight me with anything, any
time, any place." Grey bowed slight
ly. II shall ask you to make those
words good and l shall accordingly
choose the weapons" Grey bowed
again. "Ephraimv' The boy stepped
from the thicket.
"Ah," breathed Grey "that black
devil 7"
"Ain' you gwine to shoot him,
Marse Erskine2"
"Ephraim il said Erskine, slip into
the hall very quietly and bring me the
two rapiers on the wall"
Erskine addressed Grey. II know
more Of your career than you think.