The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-09-01

srouna mis- neck; she Drew I'm. great
brown head, down ana kissed him on
the cheek. And John Moreland let
his rifle fall unnoticed to the snow,
put his arms around her shoulders as
though she were his own daughter.
bowed his head and sobbed out
few words, she did not understand.
Night had fallen when they reached
Ben Littleford's cabin home. The girl
was welcomed with much Joy: Old
Dale was received with almost affec-
tionate cordiality. A roaring IRE was
soon going In the best room, and old
Dale was given the cosiest Of the
sheepskin-libed rockers. Ben Little
ford, washed scrupuiously clean Of
coal smut, sat near the guest Of honor.
John Moreland, who was 20 thought
full that he seemed to hear and see
nothing, sat close to Ben Attleford.
Suddenly Dale looked toward his
host and asked: "Where Is my sonf'
At that moment Dale the younger,
In boots and corduroys, appeared n
the outer doorway and answered Tor
/ himself:
"Here he is, father. Are you wellr"
Dale the elder arose, and their
hands clasped warmly. Young Dale
then shook hands with Elizabeth, who
blushed In spite of herself as she
faced him.
To hide her. confusion, Elizabeth
turned to the tall and lanky BY Heck.
, who had come in behind Bill Dale.
"How are you, Byr she greeted
him.
"Hongry." grinned BY Heck, taking
her hand awkwardly. II never ct
nothin' but couple O. baked 'possums
and a peck or two O. sweet 'taters TO-
dinner, and I've been as busy as the
dey-as thunder a'doin' nothin' ever
sence. DOM nothing shore does make
me hongry, M-M-M-Miss Babe"
= Supper was announced, and they
went into long, log-walled room that
served as both kitchen and dining
room.
Bill Dale sat beside his father and
talked Of nothing but coal veins-bis
and little coal veins. long and short,
broad and narrow, deep and shallow,
blue and black coal veins. Babe Lit
tlefOrd, who wouldn't marry hiRs, who
had come back to the hills to torture
him with beauty that he had never
believed possible in any woman,
shouldn't know that he was even
thinking of herl
He talked coal with his father until
bedtime. and he was wiser In the ways
L nf hn
o'clock came. After Ben Littleford
had haltingly conducted family pray
ers-and in this he mentioned even
the Balls. Turner's and Torreys-Bill
Dale bade them all good night aud
started for his Office to sleep, rolled in
blanket on the hoor There was q
lack Of beds at Ben Littleford's that
night.
A little later, John Moreland drew
old Ben out to the cabin yard. The
skies were clear, and the moon was
shining brightly; everywhere there
was beauty and peacefulness.
"Ben." softly. "Tve got to bother ye
minute. as late as It is. i wanted ye
to find me a hammer and ehisel and
lantern"
"Pve got 'em all three right thar
In the house." replied Littleford. "But
what'n the name O. Torment and
thunderation do ye want with a ham.
mer and chisel and lantern, John,
old friendf"
The answer came straightforwartiiy
II was the Moreland way.
'Tm a-goin' up thar to ,whar pore
1 I,oSc h,,r faA
them letters often the stone, Ben. ]
cain't sleep ontel it's done. You car
guess what part I'm a-gotn' to cut of
CANT yer
EYES," said Littleford Babe told
No sbSut what happened up TIA.
sfors dark. And I'm pow'fu, glad
ye're a-goin' to do +, John, old
friend"
He went with Moreland to the little
enclosure on the highest point OF
David Moreland's mountain. He held
the lighted lantern while MoreIand
worked. They were there for hours
When the work was finished David
Moreland's brother arose sro.. hia
knees In the snow. put the hammer
and the chisel into his pocket, and
spread open his cold, cramped fingers
"Ef David could know" he said
wearily, II believe he'd be glad al
l done-jt. Anyway. It makes me feel
better"
ben Littleford put big hand On
John Moreland's shoulder.
YES" he agreed, "ef David could
know about It. he'd be glad at ye done
u, John. The hain't no doubt O. that
And who can say he don't know about
itf
Elizabeth learned Of It early on the
following morning. When breakfast
was over, she whispered to John X
Dale that there was something she
had to show him. She wouldn't tell
him anything In advance. So he wen,
with her. to see for himself.
When at last they stood inside the
weatherbeaten palings, Elizabeth
pointed and said:
Look there, and thank Godt"