The Belding banner-news., 1921-12-28

get .--it MI. II they make their learn
In pay 'em anything. they'll have to
stay where they can use H."
She began TO stare absently toward
her well-shod feet.
Are you ready to go?" Dale asked
Elizabeth Llttleford raised her head
with slight jerk and said rather awk-
wardly:
HAS the valley changed much:"
"Not very much" answered Dale.
There's a new log church, where al
old minister named Ashby Cross
breaches the gospel of straight walk
ing and human kindliness every Sun
day. Henderson Con isn't here any
more. but he sent me his address la
case we wanted TO sell the mine The
Torreys have gone back 10 Jerusalem
cove and Nations hell. and the Bals
are as quiet as mice. These. | believe.
are all the changes worth mentioning"
Together they set out and walked.
without saying much. TO the crest of
David Morelands mountain. and there
they halted. The autumn sun. great
red ball OF fire, was just setting beyond
the majestic Big Pine.
Dale pointed TO "A long, moSScoyered
slab of brown sandstone.
Lets sit down there and rest" he
suggested You're tired. Babe.
know. Don't mind my calling YOU
Babe do you?"
She looked at linn as though she
were surprised at his asking thar. They
sat down.
Bill Dale suddenly leaned toward her
and took one of her hands; and he
didn't take il as Jimmy tayne had
done-as though he were afraid of It,.
you know | love you. don't you
Babe?"
I've been helievin' IT," she told him
after a moment of painful silence. She
was a trife pale now. But it-Bill
Dale. il somehow don't seem just right
for YOU 10 love me. Because I'm such
il pore little nobody. I'm as ignorant
rs sin; and ! hain't-haven't even go;
good manners. But-but if you love
If you're sure YOU do, tell me why
There came another minute OF pain
ful silence.
Because. said Dale. speaking slow
w. you have always seemed 10 be
one of my own kind. You seem real
To me. ! was so sick of artiiicialities
in women that | loved you the moment
| saw You. know YOU are primitive
bul ! am primitive, too. And You
weren't calling Yourself 'Ma-a-am-mah'
tOa id poodle.
Major Bradley" he went on feels
sure that will be acquitted. II II
turns oui like that. want you TO
marry me Al once. Tell me--wil you
Rabe?"
How boyishly impatient he was. Was
ne afraid he would lose her by wait
ingf
You love me don't you. Babe?" he
pursued.
She faced him with the sudden,
queer light of tragedy IN her eyes.
But she didn't speak lie pressed her
hand until it hurt and demanded
You do, don't YOU. Babe?"
"YeS" She told him. IN voice that
he barely heard.
Then why won't You marry me?"
She didn't answer. She wouldn't
answer
The day Of the trial dawned clear
with the snap ~ autumn III the
air. The courthouse was filled 10 It's
capacity within fifteen minutes after
the doors were thrown open Every
ninn who had rife was forced 70
leave it behind with The sheri1''S depu-
ties. a company OF the states militia
was there. and each member Of il had
hundred rounds Of ball cartridges
In his hell--the authorities were taking
no chances.
Amid breathleSs hush. the wheels
of the law began Ia move. Caleb More
land quickly told what he had tn say,
and backed il up with proof. "a
brought out perfect alibi. The
judge and the jury frowned and smiled
in the same instant. Dale went for
ward and took his place. He pleaded
Not Guilty. A little later the state
introduced its evidence and rested.
The counsel for the defense. patri
clan and soldier-like, immaculate from
his toes TO the crown of his head
went eagerly to his feet. lie had fully
prepared himself, and he delivered his
argument with an eloquent and force
full swing. II was plain that the jury
was favorably impressed by the words
of this man who never accepted ease
unless he was absolutely sure that his
client was IN the right.
Major Bradley hinged his argument
on the mysterious third shot If Dale's
bullet had killed Adam Ball. would
not Adam Ball have been shot squarely
or AT least nearly squarely from the
front? AS II was. the Goliath had been
shot straight through the temples
That third shot had been fired by some
hidden friend OF Dale's. the major de
clared, and II had been done for the
purpose OF saving Daie's life Ball