The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-07-27

the boy had stood with Barbara, who
had been allowed to look on for
while. Again my lord had summoned
Dave to him and asked many Ques'
lions about the wilderness beyond the
Cumberland, and he even had the boy
to come up and shake hands, and
asked him where he had learned to
ride so we'll.
Before Barbara was sent nome
Hugh and Dane Grey, dressed with
great care. came In, with an e1aggera.
ton of dignity and pollteness that
fooled few others than themselves.
Hugh, catching Barbara's sad and re-
proachful glance, did not dare 90 near
her, but Dane made straight for her
side when he entered the room-and
bowed with great gallantry. TO the
boy he paid no attention whatever,
and the latter, fred with indignation
and hate, turned hastily away. But in
corner unseen he could not withhold
watching the two closely. and he felt
vaguely that he was watching fright
ened bird and a 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 fur
beyond her years. The lad wondered
and was deeply disturbed. The halt
overlooking and wholly contemptuous
glance that Grey had shot over his
head had stung him life kntfe-cut, 50
like an actual knife indeed that with
out knowing it his right HAND was
then fumbllng at his belt. Dave tcc
was noticing and 80 was Barbara's
mother and her father. who knew very
we'll 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 t
the tavern and up to his room. Their
with his knife In his belt he went
down again and waited on the porch
Already guests were coming back from
the party end 1t was not long before
he saw Hugh and Dane Grey half
stumbling up the steps. Erskine rose
Grey confronted the lad DULY for
moment and then Strengthened.
Here's anuzzer one wants to fight,
he said thickly. my young friend,
will obltge you anywhere with any
! thing, at any tlme-except tonight
You must regard That as great honor
for | am not accustomed % fight witt
savages." y,
And he vavea the ~ away wit
such an insolent gesture that The la'
knowing no other desireA with an el
envy than to kill him in ny way po!
sible, snatched his knife rom his bel
. He heard a cry of surpri\e and horr'
from Hugh and a huge hand caugl
his appraised wrist. '..--
"Put 1t back!" said Dave sternly.
!, The dazed boy obeyed and Dave lie
J him upstairs. .
Dave talked to the lad about ii
enormity of his offense, but to Ia,
h he was inclined to defend himself an
, bis action. Next morning, howpve
= when the party started back to Re
: Oaks, Erskine felt a difference in II
= atmosphere that made him unaas
. Barbara alone seemed unchanged ar
J, he was quick to guess that she had n,
;, been told of the incident. Hugh W,
distinctly distant and surly for a
other reason as well. He had wantt
= to ask young Grey to become one
their party and his father had dec
sively forbidden him-fOr another re
>. son, too, than his influence over Hugl
:, Grey and his family were Tories NJ
!. in high favor with Lord Dunmore.
= As yet Dave had made no explain
:. ton or excuse for his young frien
. but he soon made up his mind that
would be wise to offer the best exten
alton as soon as possible; which W
d simply that the lad knew no bett,
" had not yet had the chance to lear
N and on the rage Of impulse had act
e just as he would have done among t
y Indians, whose code alone he knew.
The matter came to a head short
n after their arrival at Red Oaks VIII
" Colonel Dale, Harry, Hugh and Da
= were on the front porch. The boy "
standing behind the b0x-hedge ne