The Adair County news., 1921-09-06


would never forgive you for the ut
terly shameless, disgraceful scene you
made in church"
Il see," said Dale. He frightened
and went on, LAS soon as can get my
two friends down to the dining room,
Bobby, you're going with me to father.
We're going to claim that house and
lot for you"
For Patricia's sake. I've a thunder
ing big notion to take you up," laughed
McLaurin. Your dad would never
miss it,"
That's it-take me up for Pats
sake" said Dale, rising. You'd be
foolish if you didn't. You should be
willing to do anything, almost, for Pat.
She's a jewel, Bobby"
Half an hour later they caught 4
passing car that soon carried them to
palace of granite and stone and
cream-colOred brick-the home OF the
old coal king, John X. Dale.
At the wide front gateway young
Dale drew back.
Bring father out here" he said in
a low voice. From what you told me.
| guess mother wouldn't want me to
come in. But you can find out about
that"
lie hoped his mother would want to
see him. While she had never seemed
to care for him as other mothers cared
for their boys; while she hadn't been
quite so dear to him as she might have
been
And if she vents to see me, Bobby,
let me know"
McLaurin smiled a somewhat wor.
ried smile, and went up to the front
door. A moment later he was shown
in. Yet another moment, and John X.
Dale, his tlOrid face beaming with
Young Dale was instantly touched by
his fathers new attitude toward him
then he remembered the long night of
David MOrelands people, and he stiff
fened a little and drew back pace.
You've come home to stay, haven't
you, Carlyle?" said the older man, and
his voice was filled with pleading
What you did is all right; We'll never
mention it again. You'll stay, won't
you, Carlyle, my bOy?
No." answered the son, a tritie cold.
Iy in spite of himself. 1--WE spent all
the idle, useless years I'll ever spend
I'm getting ready to develop the coal
in David MOreIand's mountain"
eland'S-mountain
The retired coal magnate breathed
the three words in a husky tone. He
put forth hand and rested it against
one of the huge stone gatepOsts, as
though to steady himself, and some of
the color went from his face.
You say David Morelands noun.
tain, CarIyle?" jerkily. &
Yes"
And you-you learned about David
MorelandY
yes" Bill Dale folded his arms
and stood there looking at his father
with eyes that accused.
You know who killed him?" old
Dale muttered.
Il do, and it was a shame-a black
shame"
Yes, it was a shame. Nobody knows
that half so well as | know it," said
John X. Dale. His mouth Quivered
He looked downward, looked up again
''SOn, you can never say or think worse
things about me than have said and
thought about myself-because Of
that"
Dale the younger glanced toward
the house. Robert McLaurin was COM
ing slowly down the veranda steps.
Mrs. Dale was nowhere in sight. She
didn't want to see her son; she didn't
even want him in the house. Bill Dale
read it all in his friends dOwnCaSt
countenance, and it was somehow a
great disappointment.
You'll need money if you're going
to develop that coal property" Dale
the elder was saying. You haven't
any money, and those mountain folk
haven't any. I'll give you all that's