The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-07-25
Copyright By Charles seribner's SONS


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-
ided 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 a 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
man-of-war-whither 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
heavy cannonade 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
fngton 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
succeeding turmoil-the hint being his
devotion to one of the daughters, since
he was now an unquestioned loyalist.
: Next morning Erskine rode forth
along sandy road, amidst the sing
ing of birds and through a forest of
tiny upshooting leaves, for Red Oaks
on the James. He had forsworn Colo
mel Dale to secrecy as to the note he
had left behind giving his birthright
to his little cousin, Barbara, and he
knew the confidence would be kept in
violate. At the boat landing he
hitched his horse to the low-swung
branch of an oak and took the path
through tangled rose bushes and I'M
dergrowth along the bank of the river,
hating where 1t would give him forth
on the great, broad, grassy way that
led to the house among the oaks. There
was the sundial that had marked every
sunny hour since he had been away.
For a moment he stood there, and
when he stepped into the open he
shrank back hastily-a girl was COM
ing through the opening of lockwood
from the homecoming slowly, bare
headed, her hands clasped behind her.
her eyes downward. His heart throbbed
as he waited, throbbed the more when
his ears caught even the soft tread of
her little feet, and seemed to stop
when she paused at the sundial, and
as before searched the river with her
eyes. And as before the song of negro
oarsmen came over the yellow flood
growing stronger as they neared Soon
the girl fluttered handkerchief and
from the single passenger in the stern
came an answering flutter of white
and glad cry. At the bend of the
river the boat disappeared from
Erskine's sight under the bank, and he
watched the girl. How she had grown
Her slim figure had rounded and shot
upward, and her white gown hat
dropped to her dainty ankles. Now
her face was flushed and her eye
flashed with excitement-it was nc
mere kinsman in that boat, and the
boys heart began to throb again
throb fiercely and with racking emo
tons that he had never known before
A fiery looking youth sprang up the
landing steps, bowed CALAMITY over the
girls hand, and the two turned up the
path, the girl rosy with smiles and
the youth bending over her with q
most protecting and tender air. II
was Dane Grey, and the heart of the
watcher turned mortal sick.