The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-08-11
CHAPTER x-contInued.

ing into the old capital one afternOo
just before the sun sank behind tn
western woods. Students no longe
wandered through the campus Of WI
liam and Mary college. Only an occa
sionnl maid In silk and lace trippet
along the street In high-heeled shoe
and clicked stockings, and no coaci
and four was In sight. The governor!
palace, In Its great yard amid Under
trees, was closed and deserted. Ny
Lord Dunmore was long in sad flight
as Erskine later learned. but not In
his coach with Its six milk-whitt
horses. But there was the bust of Sill
Walter in front OF Raleigh tavern, and
there he drew up, before the steps
where he was once nigh to taking Dane
Grey's life. A negro servant came for.
ward to care for his horse, but coal
black young giant leaped around the
corner and seized the bride with a
welcoming cry:
"Marse Erskinel But l knowed
Firefy fust." 1t was EphraIm, the
groom who had brought out Barbara's
ponies, who had turned the horse over
to him for the race at the fair.
Il come frum de plantation fer ole
marse," the boy explained. The host
OF the tavern heard and came down to
give his welcome. for any Dale, no
matter what his garb, could always
have the best in that tavern. More
than that, bewigged solicitor, learn
Ing his name, presented himself with
the cheerful news that he had quite a
little sum of money that had been con-
fided to his keeping by Colonel Dale
for his nephew, Erskine A strange
Difference seemed to be paid him by
everybody, which was grateful
change from the suspicion he had left
among his pioneer friends. The little
tavern was thronged and the air
charged with the spirit of war. Indeed,
nothing else was talked. My Lord Dun
more had come to q sad and unbe-
moaned end. He had stayed afar from
the battlefield of Point Pleasant and
had left stalwart General Lewis to
fight Cornstalk and his braves alone. |
Later My Lady Dunmore and her |
sprightly daughters took refuge on a |
neutrality-suspicious. my lord soon fol- |
lowed them. His fleet ravaged the |
banks of the rivers and committed |
every outrage. His marines set fire to
Norfolk, which was in ashes when he |
weighed anchor and sailed away to
more depredations. When he in
trenched himself on Gwynn's island,
that same stalwart Lewis opened a
heavy canRonade on fleet and island,
and sent ball through the indignant
nobleman's flagship. Next day he saw
a force making for the island in boats,
and my lord spread all sail; and so |
back to merry England. and to Vir-
ginia no more. Meanwhile, Mr.. Wash
ington had reached Boston and started /
his duties under the Cambridge elm
Several times during the talk Erskine
had heard mentioned the name of
Dane Grey. Young Grey had been
with Dunmore and not with Lewis at
Point Pleasant, and had been conspicu-
Gus at the palace through much of the
turmoil-the hint being his
devotion to one of the daughters, since
he was now an unquestioned loyalist.
along sandy road. amidst the sing
ing of birds and through forest of
tiny upshooting leaves, for Red Oaks
On the James He had forsworn Colo
1el Dale to secrecy as to the note he
had left behind giving his birthright
o his little cousin, Barbara, and he
Knew the confidence would be kept In
'iolate. At the boat landing he
litched his horse to the low-swung
branch of an oak and took the path
through tangled rose bushes and I'M
lergrowth along the bank of the river,
lalting where 1t would give him forth
N the great, broad. grassy way that
ed to the house among the oaks. There
vas the sundial that had marked every
unny hour since be had been away
'or moment he stood there, and
hrank back hastily-a girl was COM
1g through the opening of lockwood
rom the house-coming slowly, bare [
eaded, her hands clasped behind her, :
er eyes downward. His heart throbbed Y
s he waited. throbbed the more when Q
Is ears caught even the soft tread of 0
err little feet, and seemed to stop +
hen she paused at the sundial. and
$ before searched the river with her u
yes. And as before the song of negro D
lrsmen came over the yellow flood, II
rowing stronger as they neared. Soon a
lie girl fluttered a handkerchief and "
om the single passenger in the stern r
lme an answering futter of white Il
nd glad cry. At the bend of the
yer the boat disappeared from CT
rskines sight under the bank. and he Ell
atched the girl. How she had grownl e.
er slim figure had rounded and shot W
)ward. and her white gown had 81
'opped to her dainty ankles. Now
n face was flushed and her eye te
lshed with excitement-it was no st
ere kinsman in that boat, and the ki
US heart began to throb again m
rob fiercely and with racking emo =
ms that he had never known before 81
fiery looking youth sprang up the e
bowed CALAMITY over the hs