The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1922-09-14

CHAPTER xi.

A long time Erskine sat motionless
wondering what allied him. He had
never liked nor trusted Grey; he be-
heved he would have trouble with him
some day, but he had other enemies
and he did not feel toward them as he
did toward this dandy mincing up that
beautiful broad path. With q little
grunt he turned back along the path.
Ffrefy whinnied to him and nipped at
MIN with playful restlessness as
though eager to be on his way to the
barn, and he stood awhile with one
arm across his saddle. Once he reached
upward to unite the reins, and with
another grunt strode back and went
rapidly up the path. Grey and Barbara
had disappeared, but tall youth who
sat behind one Of the big pillars saw
MIN coming and rose, bewildered, but
not for long. Each recognized the other
swiftly, and Hugh came with stiff
courtesy forward. Erskine smiled:
"You don't know met" Hugh
bowed:
"Quite WELL" The woodsman drew
himself up with quick breath-paling
without, flaming within-but before he
could speak there was a quick step
and an astonished cry within the hall
and Harry sprang out.
"Erskine! Erskinel" he shouted
and he leaped down the steps with
both hands outstretched "You here
fou-you old Indian-how did you get
here" He caught Erskine by both
hands and then fell to shaking him by
the shoulders. where's your horse?"
And then he noticed the boys pale
and embarrassed face and his eyes
shifting to Hugh. who stood, still cold,
still courteous, and he checked some
hot outburst at his lips.
"Tm glad you've come, and I'm glad
you've come right now-wheres your
horser
II left him hitched at the landing"
Erskine had to answer, and Harry
looked puzzled:
'"The landing! Why, what" He
wheeled and shouted to a darky:
''Put Master Ersklne's horse In the
barn and feed him." And he led Frs
kline within-to the same room where
he had slept before, and poured out
some water in q bowl.
"Take your time" he said, and he
went back to the porch. Erskine could
hear and see him through the latticed
blinds
Hugh" said the lad In a low, cold
voice, II am host here, and If you don't
like this you can take that path"
"You are right" was the answer;
but you wait until Uncle Harry gets
home"
The matter was quite plain to Frs
kline within. The presence of Dane
Grey made 1t plain, and as Erskine.
dipped both hands into the cold water
he made up his mind to an under
standing with that young gentleman
that would be complete and final. And
SO he was ready when he and Harry
were on tile porch again and Bar
bara and Grey emerged from the rose
bushes and came slowly up the path.
Harry looked worried, but Erskine sat
still, with faint smile at his mouth
and In his eyes. Barbara saw him
first and she did not rush forward.
Instead, she stopped, with wide eyes,
stified cry, and lifting one hand to-
ward her heart. Grey saw too, flushed
rather painfully, and calmed himself.
Erskine had sprung down the steps.
"Why, have I changed so much 2" he
cried. Hugh didn't seem to know me,
either" His voice was gay, friendly,
even affectionate, but his eyes danced
with strange lights that puzzled the
girl.
"Of course I knew you," she fall
tered, paling little, but gathering her.
self rather haughtily-a fact that Frs
kline seemed not to notice "You took
me by surprise and you have changed
but l don't know how much" The
significance Of this too seemed to pass
Erskine by, for he bent over Barbaras
hand and kissed 1t.
"Never to you, my dear cousin" he
said gallantiy, and then he bowed to
zaggsNKeS>