The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1922-10-26

Red Oaks FIRST twinkled ahead.
The negro turned from the road
through gate, and Ersklne heard
the thud Of his horses hoofs across
the meadow turf. He rode on slow
ly, hltched Firetly as close to the edge |
Of the road as was safe, and crept to
the edge Of the garden, where he
could peer through the hedge. The
hall door was open and the hallway
lighted; so was the dining room; and
there were lights in Bnrbara's room.
There were no noises, not even Of ami
NAL life. and no figures moving about
or In the house. What could he do?
One thing at least, no matter what
happened to hlm-he could number
Dane Grey's days and make this night
his last on earth. 1t would probably
he his own last night, too. Impa-
tiently he crawled back to the edge Of
the road More quickly than he ex.
Dected. he saw Ephraim's figure slip
ping through the shadows toward him.
"Dey's JUS through supper" he re-
ported Miss Barbary didn't eat wild
en-. She's up In her room. Dat I'D
der OFFICER been stormin' at Murse
Grey an hurryin' him up. Nanny
been holdin' de little missus back all
she can. She say she got to make
like she heppin' her pack"
"Ephrainl," said Erskine quickly,
'go tell Mr.. Grey that one of his men
wants to see him right away at the
sundial. When he starts down the
path YOU run around the hedge and
| be on hand in the bushes"
"1assuh," and the boy showed his
teeth in comprehending smile. 1t
was not long before he saw Grey's
tall figure easily emerge from the hall
door and stop full in the light. He
saw Ephraim slip around the corner
and Grey move to the end of the
| porch, doubtless In answer to rhe
black boys whispered summons. For
q moment the two figures were mo.
tionlcss and then Erskine began to
tingle acutcly from head to foot. Grey
came swiftly down the great path,
which was radiant with moonlight.
AS Grey nearcd the dial Erskine
moved toward him. Keeping in Il dark
| shadow, but Grey saw him and called
in low tone but sharply:
well, what is it," With two PAGES
more Erskinc stepped out into the
moonlight with his rDpl,nd niSt ri ut
Grey's breast
"This," he said quietly. "A1ol,o M
| noisc-and don't move" GRAY w,a
startled. but he caught his contro, IN.
| stan1ly and without fcnr
you are Il brave man. Mr.. Grey,
and so, for that natter is-Rrro,,irt
Arnold"
captain Grey" corrected Grnv in
socn,ly.
81 do not recognize your rank. 10
me YOU are merely Traitor Grcy."
"Iou are entitled to unusual free
dom Of spccch-lndcr the circum-
stanccs.'
81 shall grant YOU The same FREQ
dom" Erskine replied u,,ickly-"in y
moment. Twice you have said thot
YOU would fight me with nny,hinn ,nv
time any place" Grey bowed slight
ly. 81 shall ask you to make those
words good aud | Shall accordingly
choose the weapons" Crey bowed
again. "Ephram The boy stcppcd
from the rlickct
"Ah," breathcd Grey, "that black
devil"
"Ain' YOU gwinc to shoot him,
NIarse Erskinc"
"EDhraim!" said ErSiinc ''slip into
'he nail very quietly and bring me the
two rapiers on the wall"
ErsKine addressed Grey ~ know
more OF your career than you think.
Grey. You have been a spy as well
as traitor And now you are, crown
ing your infamy by weaving some
spell over my cousin and trying to
carry her away In the absence of her