The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-10-05

a the TOhu 40 WIZ
:. edge of the garden, where ne
mid peer through the hedge. The
IN door was open and the hallway
l,shted: so was the dining room; and
,ssre we're lights In Barbara's ROOM
fhere were no noises, not even Of AMI
nal life, and no figures moving about
{ 10 the house. What could ne 90!
s.Ione thing at least, no matter what
as.nnened to him-he could number
Dane Grey's days and make this night
ia last on earth. 1t would probably
10 his own last night, too. lmpa'
,Iently he crawled back to the edge OF
the road. More quickly than he ex'
nected, he saw Ephraim's figure Slip
ping through the shadows toward hlm'
aDey's JUS through supper" he re.
oorted, qMiss Barbary didn't eat wild
/ an. She's up in her ROOM Dat ud'
AR OFFICER been stormin' at Marse
Grey an hurryin' him up. Nanny
/ been holdin' de little mlssus back all
she can. She say she got to make
Ike she heppln' her pack"
aEphralm," said Ersklne quickly
70 tell Mr.. Grey that one of his men
wants to see him right away at the
mndial. When he starts down the
path you run around the hedge and
be on hand In the bushes"
"Yassuh," and the boy showed his
teeth In comprehendlng smile, 1t
wss not long before he saw Greys
tall figure easily emerge from the hall
door and stop full In the light. he
saw Ephraim slip around the corner
4 and Grey move to the end OF the
porch, doubtless In answer to the
black boys whispered summons For
4 moment the two figures were mo-
t,onless and then Erskine began to
tinsle acutely from head to foot. Grey
came swiftly down the great path
which was radiant with moonlight
Az Grey neared the dial Ersklnt
moved toward him, keeping In a dari
shadow, but Grey saw him and calico
IN 4 low tone but sharply:
"well, what is it'" With two pace
more Erskine stepped out into IN
moonlight with his cooked pistol a
Grey's breast.
"This," he said quietly. Make N
noise-and don't move Grey va
startled, but he caught his control ID
Il SANITY and without fear.
Fl @You are q brave man, Mr.. Gre!
d and so, for that matter, is-Benedlc
\ Arnold"
Captain Grey" corrected Grey IL
solently. ~
I II do not recognize your rank. 1
me you are merely Traitor Grey"
81 you are entitled to unusual tre'
81 dom Of speech-under the clrcun
i stances"
II shall grant you the same IRE
DOM" Ersklne replied quickly-%n
moment. Twice you have said tn
you would fight me with anything, al
time, any place." Grey bowed sllgl'
y. II shall ask you to make tho'
words good and / shall according
choose the weapons" Grey bow'
asain. "Ephraimw The boy stepp'
ffom the thicket.
.Ah," breathed Grey, that Dia'
Dewitt"
@Ain' you gwlne to shoot hi
Marie ErskineY"
"Tphraiml" said Erskine, slip 10
II hall very quietly and bring me t
mo rapiers on the wall"
rfsklne addressed Grey. Il KIN
nese Of your career than you thlr
Grey. You have been spy a. v
sasa traitor. And now you are CROW
ihg your infamy by weaving so1
spsll over my cousin and trying
carry her away In the absence Of
father and brother, to what unhap
ness God only can know. ! can har'
hope that you appreciate the ho'
am doing you"
mot as much as I appreciate "
courage and the risk you are takin
Erskine smiled.
'The risk il perhaps less than
think"
You have not been idle?
Il have learned more Of my
TIERS swords than I knew when
used them last"
Il am glad-it will be more In
sstins." Ersklne looked toward
house and moved impatiently.
MY brother officer has dlned
WE'LL" noted Grey placidly, land
rest Of my-er- retinue are gambl
We are quite secure"
"Ahv Erskine breathed-he
seen the black boy run down the
vith something under one arm
[1s presently Ephrailn was In the sha
VI Of the thicket:
"Give one to Mr.. Grey, Ephl
and the other to me. I believe
said on that other occasion that
was no choice Of blades?"
Quite right" Grey answered,
fully testing his bit Of steel.
Keep well out Of the way,
raim," warned Erskine, "and take
pistol. You may need 1t, II ]
worsted, to protect yourself"
Indeed. yes" returned Grey.
kindly instruct him not to. use
protect you" For answer Err
wfang from the shadow--disca
formal courtesles.
IN sprde!" he called sternly.
Cray was cautious at first, I
sat bis; opponents increase in 8
You have made marked lmI