Evening journal., 1922-02-25
ERSKINlE
DALE
PIONEER
By JOHN FONE u
GRo p1o A
&AplE5 tcpnuIuS
oaS =
Continued from Our Last Issue.

Inc plack boy ran down the steps
and presently Ephraim was in the
shadow of the thicket:
"Give one to Mr.. Grey. Ephraim.
and the other to me-"
"Ephraim." warned Erskine, take
this pistol You may need It, TO pro-
tect yourself"
Indeed. yes" returned Grey, "and
kindly instruct him not to use II TO
protect you" For answer Erskine
sprang from the shadow-discarding
formal courtesies.
En- gardel" he called sternly.
The two shining blades clashed
lightly and qu.vered against each
other in the moonlight
Grey was cautious at frst' trying
out his opponents increase In skill;
you have made marked improve
ment."
THANK you" smiled Erskine.
Your wrist is much stronger"
"Naturally." Grey leaped back
ward and parried just in time a vi
cious thrust that was like a dart OF
lightning.
"Ah! A Frenchman taught you
that"
"A Frenchman taught me all the
little I know"
II wonder II he taught you how
to meet this"
.rHe did" answered Erskine, par
rying easily and with an answering
thrust that turned Grey suddenly
anxious. Grey began TO breath
heavily.
81 think. too" said Erskine that
my wind is better than yours -
would you like a short resting
speli?"
From the shadow Bphraim chuck
led. and Grey snapped:
make that black devil"
"Keep quiet. Ephraim!" broke in
Erskine sternly.
Grey was getting angry now ana
was beginning TO pant.
"Your wind Is short" said Erskine
with mock compassion. Il will give
Won little breathing-spell pres
entity.
Grey was not wasting his pre-
cious breath now and he made no
"Now!" said Erskine sharply and
Crews blade flew from his hand and
lay ike a streak Of silver on the
dewv grass. Grey rushed for II.
Damn youl" he ragged, and
wheeled neutrality-suspicious.. humor'
and caution quite gone - and they
fought now in deadly silence.
There was the sound OF voices,
and and II was evident that the
game had ended in quarrel and
the players were coming up the
river-bank toward them. Erskine
heard. but II Grey did at first he
gave no sign-he was too much con-
cerned with the death that faced
him. Suddenly Erskine knew that
Grey had heard. for the fear in his
face gave way 20 diabolic grin Of
triumph and he lashed suddenly
into defense If he could protect
himself only a little longer! Erskine
had delayed the finishing stroke too
long and he must make It now.
Grey gave way step by step-par-
r-ying only. The blades flashed Ike
tiny bits OF lightning. Erskine's
face. grim and inexorable. brought
tho sick fear back into Grey's, and
Erskine saw his enemy's lips open.
He lunged then. his blade went
true. sank to the hilt and Grey s
warned soul started on its way with
craven cry for help. ErsSine
sprane back into the shadows and
snatched his pistol from Ephralm
hand:
Get out OF the way now. Tell
them I did It,"
once he looked back. He saw Bar
bara at the hall-door with old Nam
my behind her. with a running leap
he vaulted the hedge. and, hidden
in the bushes. Ephraim heard Fire
fy's hoofs beating ever more family
the sandy road.
XIII.
Yorktown broke the British heart
and General Dale went home TO Red
oaks. He had pieced out the ful
story OF Barbara and Erskine and
Dane Grey and wisely he told her
first Of Grey's dark treachery and
the girl listened with horrited
silence.
Il have never understood abou
myself-and-and that man." she
said, "and I never will"
II do" said the general gently
"and I understand you through my
sister who was so like you. Err
sklne's father was as indignant al
Harry is now. and / am trying q
act toward you as my father die
toward her" The girl pressed hel
lips to one OF his hands.
"T think I'd better tell YOU tn,
whole story now" said Genera
Dale. and he told OF Erskine's faith
or, his wlldness and his wanderings
his marriage, and the capture o.
his wife and the little son by thi
Indians. all OF which she knew. ant
The girl wondered why he shoulS
be telling her again. The genera
paused:
you know Erskine's mother wa
not killed. He found her" The cir
looked up amazed and incredulous
Yes" he went on. ''the white wo
man whom he found in the Indiai
village was his mother"
"Fatheri" She lifted her heal
quickly. leaned back with hand
caught tight in front OF her. lookel
up into his face-her own crimson
ing and paling as she took in tn
fun meaning OF It all. Her eye
dropped.
Then" she said slowly, "that In
dian girl-Early Morris his halt
sister. Oh, OIL" A great pity fioode
her heart and eyes. why didn't Er
sAine take them away from the In