The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1922-08-17

watching the two closely, and he felt
vaguely that he was watching Il fright
ened Dlrd and Il snake. The little
girls self-comDosurc seemed quite to
vanish. her face flushed, her eyes were
dOwncast, and her whole attitude had
q mature embarrassment that was fur
beyond her years. The lad wondered
and was deeply disturbed. The half
overlooking and wholly contemptuous
glance that Grey had shot over his
head had stung kim life knife-cut, so
like an actual knife indeed that with
out knowing it his right hand was
then fumbling Mt his belt. Dave too
was noticing and so 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. Ers-
kline. too, left then and went back to
the tavern and up to his room. Then
with his knife in his belt he went
down again and waited on the porch
Already guests were coming back from
the party and it was not long before
stumbling up the steps. Erskine rose.
Grey confronted the lad duly for
moment and then Strengthened.
Here's anuzzcr one wants to fight"
he said thlckly. "AIy young friend,
VIII obligc YOU anywhere with any
Thing. at any tme-cxcept tonight.
You must regard That as great honor
for am not accustomed to fight with
savagcs."
hnd he waved the boy away with
Such an inSolent gesture that the lad.
Knowing no other desire with IN en-
elny than to kill him in any way pos
Side, Snatchcd his knife from his belt.
He heard IL cry Of surprise and horror
from Hugh and a huge hand caught
his upraised wrist.
"Put 1t back :" said Dave sternly.
The daZcd boy obeyed and Dave led
him upstairs.
Dave talked to the lad about the
enorrnity of his offcnse, but to Dave
he WIS inclined to defend himself and
his action. Next morning, however,
when the party started back to Red
Oaks, JIrslline felt difference in the
atmosphere that made him uneasy.
barbara alone seemed unchanged, and
ne WA. quick to guess that she had not
been told Of the incident Hugh was
distinctly distant and surly for an
other reason as well. He had wanted
to ask young Grey to become one Of
their party and his father had dcci-
SlVcly forbidden him-for another rca-
son, too, than his influence over Hugh {:
Grey and his family were Tories and
III nigh favor with Lord Dunmorc.
AS yet Dave had made no eXplana-
ton or excuse for his young friend,
put he soon made up his mind that 1t
would be wise TO offer the best cxtcnu-
alton as soon as possible; which was
simply that the lad knew no better.
had not vet had the chance to learn,
ana on thc rage of impulse had acted
just as he would have done among the
Indians, whose code alone he knew.
The matter came to Il head shortly
after their arrival at Rcd Oaks when
Colonel Dale, Harry, Nugh and Dave
were on the front porch. The boy was
standing behind the box-hcdsc near
the steps aud Barbara. i&a Just an
pearcd in the doorway.
well, what was the trouble?"
Colonel Dale had just asked.
lie tried to stab Grey unarmcd and
without warming" said Hugh shortly.
At the moment the boy caught sight
of Barbara. Her eyes, filed with scorn,
met his in one long, sad witherinc
look, and she turned noisclessly back
INTO the house. Nosclcssly too he
melted into the garden, slipped down
to the river bank, and dropped to the
ground. He knew at last what he had
done. Nothing was said to him when
he came back to the house and that
night he scarcely opened his lips. In
silence he went to bed and next morn
ing he was gone.
The mystery was explained when
barbara told how the boy too must
have overheard Hugh.
Hes hurt" said Dave, "and he's
gone home"
"On foot?" asked Colonel Dale in
credulously.
He can trot all day and make al
most as good time AS a horse"
"Why, he'll starve."
He could get there on roots and
herbs and wild honey, but he'll have
| 1resh meat every day. Still. I'll have
to try to overtake him. I must go.
| anyhow"
And he asked for his horse and went
10 get ready for the journey. Ten
minutes later Hugh and Harry rushed
| joyouSly to his room.
Were going with you !" they cried,
and Dayc was greatly pleased An
hour later all were ready, and at the
last moment Iireny was led in, sad.
dled and bridled, and with leading
halter around his neck.