Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1922-12-14
~Yassuh."

EDhraim went swiftly and Erss.ns
followed along the hedge and through
the rose bushes to the Kitchen door.
Barbara, standing In the hall door
way, heard his step.
"Erskinep r she cried softly. and she
came to meet him. with both hands
outstretched and raised her lovely
face to he kissed. 'lYhat are you do
ing bere7"
Il am on my way to join General
Lafayette"
@But you win be captured. 1t is dan
gerous. The country Is full of British
soldiers"
$50 / know" Erskine said dryIy.
"When did you get here?"
Twenty minutes ago. / would not
have been welcome Just then. I wait
ed In the hedge. / saw you had com
pany."
"Did you see them?" she faltered.
Il even recognized one OF them"
Barbara sank into a chair, her elbow
on one arm. her chin In her hand. her
face turned, her eyes looking outdoors.
She said nothing, but the toe OF her
slipper began to tap the floor gently.
There was no further use for indirec-
ton or concealment.
BARBARA" Ersxine said with some
sternness, and his tone quickened the
tapping Of the slipper and made her
little mouth tighten, what does all
this mean7'
"Did yen see." she answered, with
out looking at him. ''that the crops
were all destroyed and the cattle and
horses were all gone7'.
why did they spare the houseY'
The girls bosom rose with one quick,
defiant intake Of breath, and for
moment she held 1t.
.Dane Grey saved orr home."
"How?"
"He had known Colonel Tarleton In
London and had done something for
him over there"
How did he get In communication
with Colonel Tarleton when he was
an officer In the American armyT'
The girl would not answer.
"Was he taken prisoner?" Still she
was silent, for the sarcasm In Frs
kines voice was angering her.
"He fought once under Benedict
perhaps he is fighting with
him now"
"Nol" she cried holly.
''Then he must be az
She did not allow him to utter the
word.
"Why Mr.. Grey is in British uni
form Is his secret-not mine"
"And why he is here is--yours."
'Exactlyl" she famed. 'sYou are q
soldier. Learn what you want to
know from him. You are my cousin,
but you are going beyond the rights
Of blood. won't stand It'll won't
stand it--from anybody"
Il don't understand you. Barbara
don't know you. That last time II
was Grey, you--and now" He
paused and. In spite of herself, her
eyes flashed toward the door. Frs.
kline saw 1t, drew himself erect
bowed and strobe straight out. Nor
did the irony Of the situation so much
as cross his mind--that he should be
turned from his own home by the
woman he loved and to whom he had
given that home. Nor did he look
back-else he might have seen her
sink, sobbing, to the floor.
When he turned the corner Of the
house Barbara's old nanny snd
Ephraim were waiting for him at The
kitchen door.
"Ephraim," he said as he swung
upon Firefly, 'you and nanny keep
close watch, and If I'm needed here,
come for me yourself and come fast"
"Yassuh. Marse Grey is sutn'ly up
to some devllmint no which side he
fightin' fer. got gal oveh on the
aige o. de Grey plantation an she tel
me dat Marse Dane Grey don't wear
dat white uniform all de time"
What's that--what's thatT' asked
Erskine.
mo, sub. She say he got an udder
| uniform, same as yose, an he keeps
it at her uncle Sans cabin an she's
seed him go dar in white an come out
In our uniform. an aIays at night,
Marse Erskine--arays at night"
The negro cooked his ear suddenly |:
''rake to de woods quick, Marse
Erskine. Horses comm down the
| road"
But the sound OF coming hoofbeaIH
had reached the woodsman's ears
some seconds before the black man
heard them, and already Erskine had
wheeled away. And Ephraim saw
Firehy skim along the edge Of o
blacbened meadow behind its hedge
of low trees.
"Gawdl" said the black boy, and
he stood watching the road. A band
OF white-coated troopers was coming
In a cloud OF dust. and at the head
OF them rode Dane Grey.
"Iias Capt. Erskine Dale been
hereY' he demanded.
Ephraim had his own reason 70,
being on the good side Of the ques
tioner. and did not even hesitate.
"Yassuh-he jes' LEFT Oar he goee