The Adair County news., 1921-09-06

The two mOuntaineerS and Dale
waited in another room. Dale had in
duced John Moreland to unload his
rifle, both chamber and magazine.
Babes father paced the floor anxious
Iy now and then. MOreland sat like
a StOne with his empty rifle between
his knees, and watched his old enemy
queerly.
1t seemed a long time before Brae-
mer came to them and told them SInil-
ingly that it was all over and that the
girl was then coming from under the
effects of the ether. She would be all
right soon, he was reasonably certain.
No, they'd better not see her just then.
But perhaps they could sec her at
some time during the afternoon of the
following day.
Dale escorted his two companions
to a modest hotel and then put them
in a room that had but one bed; by
thus throwing them together in a
strange land, he hoped to do some
thing toward making them friends.
Then Dale went to another room, un-
dressed and went to bed.
1t may be noted, parentheticalIy as
it were, that John MoreIand and Ben
Littleford quickly reached a wordless
agreement not to sleep tOgether-they
divided the pillows and linens evenly,
tore the odd coverlet exactly in half,
and slept on the floor.
When Dale went down to the lobby
the following morning an alert-eyed
young fellow sprang from a chair and
hastened up to him.
by George, Bobbyw Dale ex-
claimed, as they began to shake hands.
How did you know l was here, any
way? Your boasted nose for news,
eh?"
Guilty" smiled McLaurin. Il got
word last night that a mountain girl
had been brought to Braemer's, acci-
dentally shot, and | nelled a feud: So
l hurried over to get the story You
had just left, and Braemer's didn't
know much about it. 1t was too soon
after the operation, they said, for her
to see me; then one of the nurses
whispered to me that you had brought
her, and said that would find YOU here
So here l am, Bill, and l want the
story. I'll phone it in, and then I'll
give you some news"
"The story mustn't be published,
Bobby" Dale replied. For one rea-
son, there is a feud; and if the law
knew, it might take a hand-you see,
i think there is a better way to take
care Of that feud. And l am of the
opinion that the girl wouldn't like the
publicity. Suppose you forget all
about it, Bobby.
If McLaurin was disappointed, he
kept it well to himself.
'They said she was handsome, a
sort of primitive Venus" he winked.
"Is there a romance connected, Bill?'
Not yet" smiled Dale.
But sOOn?"
who can tell?" Dale shrugged a
little. Tell me the news"
"AlI right" McLaurin drew his
friend toward a pair of empty chairs.
Il married Patricia Clavering the day
before yesterday. We"
Bully! Go on"
I'VE were married in an automobile,
with her father and poor dear Harry
chasing us like wildtire in another car.
Yesterday we went to housekeeping in
a cute little suburban bungalow, frni-
| ture on the inStallment, plan. Her
| people won't even look at us, Bill
INF do lol Il
old dear, do / seem to be worrying? &?
! Honest, I'm so happy I'm afraid some
thing is going to happen to me. Pm
! to have a lift in salary soon, and we
won't be long in paying for the furni-
ture; and when that's done, We'll buy
the bungalow.
"And I'm informing you now, old
savage" he continued, that you're
having dinner with US this evening.
You'll find it pleasant. We do as we
! please, you see. If you like, you may
stir your coffee with your finger, eat
with your knife, reach clean across the
table, and pick your teeth with your
fork. You can eat with your hat on,
and you may have your dessert first
You can have an extra chair for your
feet, and you can go to sleep at the
table. Don't fail US. Pat wants to
thank you for casting her aside al
the altar"
Dale laughed bOyishIy. McLaurir
went on:
There's more news. Your father
has been trying hard to find you. He
sent man to Atlanta to look for you
He told me he'd give me house anC
| lot if I'd find yOu-and if there was q
little more of the highway robber in
me, I'd call his hand!'
And mOther-have you seen herT
Dale muttered.
1--WE seen her twice since the near
wedding"
did she have anything to say about
me? Tell me the whole truth, Bobby
/ can take it, old pan. I'm big enough.
J McLaurin frOwned. "Since you've