The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-08-25

ally had come into possession Of the
old coal mans grim secret.
Neither Of them knew that John
Aofeland was then visiting his beloved
old hills for the sake Of some shooting.
The following day John X. Dale and
Elizabeth Littleford alighted from .
northbsund passenger train at the
Halfway switch. The mountains were
covered with three inches Of snow, and
the hemlock and pines bore heavy bur-
dens Of the beautiful white stutf: but
the air was still. and 1t wasn't very
cold.
you'd get your clothing all black
on the coal train," Dale said to his
] companion, $50 you'd rather walk over,
wouldn't your Anyway. the train isn't
here. I'm good for six miles. think"
"Yes." smiled Ben Littleford's
daughter, "rd rather walk-if you're
sure that six miles won't be too much
for you"
Together. with the girl leading tho
way, they set out across David More
lands mountain. The old trail showed
not one footprint ahead Of them; Il
was not so much used now. They said
little. Each thought their own thoughts,
and neither cared to speak them to
the other.
Just before they reached the noun
tain's crest. they passed a group Of
snow-laden pines that concealed big.
hrown-bearded man who had been
stealthily following the trail Of lone
wild turkey. He wore khaki hunting
clothes and high laced boots and there
was certain English fineness about
him. In his bare hands he carried q
repeating rifle. which marked him as
! one born In the hills; a lowlander
. would have had choke-bored shotgun.
When he saw John X. Dale he
, stopped suddenly. 1t might have heen
Intuition, or 1t might have heen sheer
curiosity. the average hillman being q
stranger to neither--he followed and
. watched the two. unseen by them.
On the pine-fringed crest, Elizabeth
Littleford halted to view that which
ny arourd and below him. Old Dale
stopped close at her side and he, too
looked at that which lay around and
and !: was crude but sincere tribute
. to wOiiankinl
). On the face of the otLer great slab
4 or brown sandstone were chiseled other
q >'Ii-shaped letters and misspelled
words. The hands of John Moreland
4 had done this. Old John Dale stepped
unsteadhy closer and read:
HEAR LAYS DAVID MoRELAND
e THE BEST MAN GOD
y EvvER MAID
KILLED
s BY JOHN K cARLlLE
NAV GOD
e DAM HIS
r SOLE
!, IL was living curse. q breathing
: curse-a terrible anathema. Ii dead
!, David Moreland himself had arisen
: from the tomb and uttered 1t, 1t would
;, not have struck John X. Dale with
. greater force. He grew weak. %
. tnouXn with u iarai sickness. H2 Sacs
to his knees In the snow. and his iron.
= gray head fell forward to his breast.
Elizabeth LittlefOrd knelt In the snow
, beside him. She tried to find comfort
Ing words, for she loved him and was
sorry for him, but no words would
come.
There was q slight sound, the muf.
J. lied breaking OF a dry twig In the
snow, just beyond the palngs In front
OF them. Elizabeth LittlefOrd looked
/ n hn cxN
Aoreland, whose fare was white and
. whose eyes were filed with the fire Of
. hate and anger, who held rifle in his
cold. bare hands. The rifles HAMMER
came back, and the fine trigger cuught
1t with faint click
Moreland took another step forward
and leveled the weapon across tho
palings.
EFF 1t was any use TO >ye to pray,
Carlyle" he said, and his voice was
shaking and hOarse and choked, "Pd
give We time. But 1t aint no use at all.
! LOOK up. Face 1t. Try to be man TO-
/ one second In yOre low-down life"
/ Old Dale raised his head, saw David
, Moreland's brother. and realized all
there was to realize. His eyes widened
} little; then a look Of relief fitted
] across his heavy cOuntenance.
, Shoot and even up the score" he
said bravely, and his head was high.
. according to your code. 1t is just. And
III be able to forget at last, eat last. SO
shoot and settle the account"
Moreland WINGED perceptibly. The
Dig, crooked finger came way from the
hair-hne trigger. He had never expect.
ed to hear the man whom he knew az
John Il. CARLYLE say that which ha had