Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-08-15


| father ana brother, to what unhappi-
ness God only can know. can hardly
hope that you appreciate the honor
1 am doing you"
"NOt as much as / appreciate your
courage and the risk you are taking"
Erskine smiled
"The risk is perhaps less than you
think"
"YOu have not been idle?"
II have learned more of my IA
theirs swords than I knew when We
used them last"
81 am glad-it will be more inter-
esting" Erskine looked toward the
house and moved mpatlently.
"My brother officer has dined too
WE'LL" noted Grey placidly, "and the
rest of my-er-retinue are gambling.
We are quite secure
"Ah" Erskine ,breathed-he had
seen the black boy run down the steps
with something under one arm and
presently Ephraim was In the shadow
of the thicket:
"Give one to Mr.. Grey, Ephraim.
and the other to me. l believe you
said on that other occasion that there
was i!o choice of blades?"
s"Quite right" Grey answered, skill
fully testing his bit of STEEL
keep well out of the way, Eph-
raim." warned Ersklne, "and take this
pistol. You may need it, If l am
worsted, to protect yourself" '
Indeed, yes" returned Grey, "and
kindly instruct him not to use it to
protect YOU" For answer Erskine
sprang from the misunderstanding
formal cOurtesies.
"En gardel" he called sternly.
Grey was cautious ut first, trying
out his opponents increase in skill:
"You have made marked improve
ment," .'
Thank you" smiled Erskine.
"Ah, A Frenchman taught you
that" q" ~
"a Frenchman taught me all the
little know -
81 wonder If he taught you how to
meet this" 'i.S@ t5' "'G's'E
He did," answered Erskine, parry
ing easily and with an answering
thrust that turned Grey suddenly
anxious. Constantly Grey maneuVeled
to keep his back to the moon, and
Just as constantly Erskine easily kept
him where the light shone fairly on
both. Grey began to breathe heavily.
Il think, too said Erskine that
my wind is little better than yours
would you like a short resting
spellT
From the shadow Ephrain chuckled,
and Grey snapped:
Make that black devil"
Keep quiet, Ephraim!" broke In
ErSkine sternly. Again Grey maneu-
vered for the moon, to no avail, and
Erskine gave warming:
"Try that again and l will put that
moon in your eyes and keep 1t there"
Grey was getting angry now and was
beginning to pant
Your wind Is short" said ErSkine
Y with mock compassion. II will give
you a'llttle breathing-spell presently
Grey was not wasting his precious
breath now and he made no answer.
"Now !" said ErSkine sharply, and
Grey's blade few from his hand and
lay like streak of silver on the dewy
grass. Grey rushed for 1t.
"D-n you :" he ragged, and wheeled
furiously-patience, humor, and cau-
ton quite gone-and they fought now
in deadly silence. Ephraim saw the
British officer appear In the hall and
walk unsteadily down the steps as
though he were coming down the path,
but he dared not open his lips. There
was the sound of voices, and it was
evident that the game had ended In a
quarrel and the players were coming
up the river bank toward them. Er-
skine heard, hut if Grey did he at
fiTSt gave no sign-he was too much
concerned with the death that faced
him. Suddenly Erskine knew that
Grey had heard, for the fear in his
race gave way 10 ulaDoll' KAN VI
triumph and he dashed suddenly into
defenSC.-if he could protect himSelf
only little longer. Erskine had de-
laycd the finishing stroke too long and
he must make 1t now. Grey gave
way step 10y step-parrying only.
The blades flashed like tiny bits of
lightning ErSkinc's face, grim and
inexorable brought the sick fear back
into Grcy's, and ErsEine saw his enc
my'S lips open. He lunged then, his
blade went true. sank to the hilt. and
Grcy's warped soul started on its way
with craven cry for help. ErsSine
Sprung back into the shadows and
snatched his pistol from Ephraim'S
hand:
"Gct out of the way now. Tell them
| did It,"
Once he looked back. He saw Bar
bara at the hall dor with old nanny
behind her With n running leap he
vauted the hedge. and, hidden In the
! huchoS Enhrci,n hoard Firefy'S hOOfS