Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1922-08-31

corner unseen he could not withhold
watching the two closely, and he felt
vaguely that he was watching a fright
ened bird and q snake. The little
girls self-compOsure seemed quite to
vanish. her face flushed, her eyes were
dOwncast, and her whole attitude had
a mature embarrassment that was far
beyond her years. The lad wondered
and was deeply disturbed. The half
overlooking and wholly cOntempt1ous
glance that Grey had shot over his
head had stung him life knife-cut, so
like an actual knife indeed that with
out knowing It his right hand was
then fumbllng at his belt. Dave too
was noticing and so was Barbara's
mother and her father, who knew very
well that this smooth, suave, bold
young daredevil was deliberately lead
ing Hugh into all the mischief he
could find. Nor did he leave the girls
side until she was taken home. Frs
kline, too, left then and went back to
the tavern and up to his room. Then
with his knife in his belt he went
down again and waited on the porch.
Already guests were coming back from
the party and 1t was not long before
he saw Hugh and Dane Grey half
stumbling up the steps. Erskine rose.
Grey confronted the lad DULY for q
moment and then Strengthened.
Heres anuzzer one wants to fight"
he said thickly. my young friend, I
will oblige you anywhere with any
thing, at any time-except tonight.
You must regard That as great honor,
for am not accustomed to fight with
savages." a
And he waved the boy away with
such an insolent gesture that the lad,
knowing no other desire with an en-
envy than to kill him in any way pos
sibIe, snatched his knife from his belt.
He heard a cry Of surprise and horror
from Hugh and a huge hand caught
his appraised wrist.
"Put it back !" said Dave sternly.
The dazed boy Obeyed and Dave led
him upstairs.
Dave talked to the lad about the
enormity Of his offense, but to Dave
he was inclined to defend himself and
his action. Next morning, however,
when the party started back to Red
Oaks Erskine felt difference in the
atmosphere that made him uneasy.
Barbara alone seemed unchanged, and
he was quick to guess that she had not
been told Of the incident. Hugh was
distinctly distant and surly for an
other reason as well. He had wanted
to ask young Grey to become one of
their party and his father had deci-
sively forbidden him-for another rea-
son, too, than his influence over Hugh:
Grey and his family were Tories and
in high favor with Lord Dunmore.
AS yet Dave had made no explana-
ton or excuse for his young friend,
but he soon made up his mind that it
would be wise to offer the best extenu-
alton as soon as possible; which was
simply that the lad knew no better,
had not yet had the chance to learn,
and on the rage Of impulse had acted
just as he would have done among the
Indians, whose code alone he knew.
The matter came to a head shortly
after their arrival at Red Oaks when
Colonel Dale, Harry, Hugh and Dave
were on the front porch. The boy was
standing behind the box-hedge near
the steps and Barbara had just APP
peared in the doorway.
swell, what was the trouble?"
Colonel Dale had just asked.
"He tried to stab Grey unarmed and
without warning" said Hugh shortly.
At the moment the boy caught sight
Of Barbara. Her eyes, filed with scorn,
met his in one long. sad, whitening
look, and she turned noiselessly back
into the house. Noiselessly too he
melted into the garden, slipped down
to the river bank, and dropped to the
ground. He knew at last what he had
done. Nothing was said to him when
he came back to the house and that
night he scarcely opened his lips. In
silence he went to bed and next morn
ing he was gone.
The mystery was explained when
Barbara told how the boy too must
have overheard Hugh.
Hes hurt" said Dave, 'and he's
gone home"
ION footF" asked Colonel Dale in
credulously.
"He can trot all day and make al
most as good time as a horse"
"Why, he'll starve.'
"He could get there on roots and
herbs and wild honey, but he'll have
fresh meat every day. Still, I'll have
to try to overtake him. must go,
anyhow"
And he asked for his horse and went
to get ready for the journey. Ten
minutes later Hugh and Harry rushed
jOyOusly to HIS room.
'We're going with youI' they cried,
and Dave was greatly pleased An
hour later all were ready, and at the
last moment FREELY was led in, sad
died and bridled, and with leading
halter around his neck.
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