The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-09-21

bara's hOme-hlS nome, Ae tnoue"
helplessly-and perhaps those chin.
news were all that was left. Ahd
then he saw the roof and the upper
windows and the cap Of the Dig COZ
umns unframed, untouched, ana lie
pulled Firedy in again, with over.
whelmlng relief, and wondered at tne
miracle. Again he started and again
pulled In when he caught sight OF
three horses hitched near the st'les'
Turning quickly from the ROAD, ne
hid FREELY in the underbrush' very
quietly he slipped along the pain oy
the river, and, pushing aside through
the rose bushes, lay down where un'
seen he could peer through the closely
matted hedge. He had not long 10
wait, A white uniform issued from
the great hall door and another ana
another-and after them Barbara-
smiling. The boys blood ran hot
smiling at her enemies. Two ofhcers
bowed, Barbara courtesied, and they
wheeled on their heels and descended
the steps. The third stayed behind a
moment, bowed over her hand and
kissed 1t. The watchers blood turned
then to liquid fire. Great God, at
what price was that noble old house
left standing? Grimly, swiftly Er'
sklne turned, sliding through the
bushes like a snake to the edge OF
the road along which they must pass
He would fight the three, for his life
was worth nothing now. He heard
them laughing, talking at the stiles.
BE heard them speak Barbara's
name. and two seemed to be banter.
Ing the third, whose answering laugh
seemed acQuiescent and triumphant
! They were coming now. The boy had
his pistols out, primed and cooked
He was rising on his knees, Just about
to leap to his feet and out into the
road, when he fell back into a
startled, paralyzed, inactive heap.
Glimpsed through an opening In the
bushes, the leading trooper In the uni'
form Of Tarleton's legion was none
other than Dane Grey, and Erskine's
brain had worked quicker than his
angry heart. This was a mystery
that must be solved before his pistols
spoke. He rose crouching as the
troopers rode away. II Tarletons
men were around he would better
leave NreAy where he was in the
woods for a while. A startled gasp
behind him made him wheel, pistol
once more in hand, to find negro
mouth wide open and staring at him
from the road.
"iarse Erskine!" he gasped. II
WAS Ephralm, the boy who had lee
Barbara's white ponies out long, long
ago, now a tall, muscular lad will
an ebony face and dazzling teeth
"Whut you dom hyeh, subj Whar
yV' boss? Gawd, Use sutn'ly glad II
see yuh." Erskine pointed to an oak
Fright by that tree. Put him II
the stable and feed him."
The negro shook his head.
mo, sub. III take de feed dow
to him. Toe many redcoats messtn
round heah. You bettah 90 In de bacl
day-dey might see yuh."
Wasn't one Of those soldiers VIII
Just rode away Mr.. Dane GreyT'
The negro hesitated.
"Yassuh." Y
"What's he doing In British Uni
form1"
The boy shifted his great shoulder
uneasily and looked aside.
II don't know, subj don't kno'
| nuttin'."
Erskine knew he was lying, but RI
spected his loyalty.
go tell Miss Barbara I'm here an
then feed my horse"
"Yassuh."
Ephraim went swiftly and Erskin
followed along the hedge and throug
the rose bushes to the kitchen door
Barbara, standing In the hall doc
way, heard his STEP
"Erskine she cried softly, and 81
came to meet him, with both hant
Outstretched, and raised her love
face to be kissed. "What are you d
4 Ing here?"
Il am on my way to Join Gener
Lafayette" -
# but you will be captured. 1t is da
q gerous. The country Is full of BIRTHS
= soldiers"
e. $50 I know" Erskine said dryly.
u 'When did you get here?"
&c Twenty minutes ago. would n
" have been welcome Just then. wal
- ed In the hedge. ] saw you had COZ
~ pany.'
,e did you see them2" she faltered
!; Il even recognized one of them
=. Barbara sank into a chair, her elbo
~ on one arm, her chin in her hand, h
=" - face turned, her eyes looking outdoor
y, She said nothing, but the toe of h
= slipper began to tap the floor gent
There was no further use for indirt
~ ton or concealment.
Barbara" Erskine said with sol
;. sternness, and hts tone quickened t
- tapping Of the slipper and made h
=. little mouth tighten, what does
=, this meanT
~ ibid you see," she answered, wi,
40 out looking at him, that the Gro
40 were all destroyed and the cattle a
" horses we're all gomez
"a "Why did they spare the house
rh The girls bosom rose with one quiz
" defiant intake Of breath, and for