Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1921-07-15
PAGE THREE

mo; but he would ha' been eff he
hadn't ha' had all his madness turned
ag'in them Morelands. You knowed
about pap's trouble on yam side o. the
river last night?"
"Yes, | knew about that" Dale an
swered slowly. But John Moreland
thought your father was my antago-
mist of yesteray."
"An-antagonist?" Babe muttered
inquiringIy. whats thatT"
II mean Adam Ball, y'knOw."
"Oh. That's what l told pap. But
pap he wouldn't believe it, and he
won't never believe it-cause he don't
want to believe 1T. I told him at John
Moreland wasn't a-shootin' to hit, and
he wouldn't believe that, neither. Pap'S
as hard-headed as brindle cow, when
he gifts a fool notion on him. What
what did them Morelands say about
their guns a-bein' gonep
Dale Strengthened.
"How did you find that QUIT"
Don't matter howP She smiled
almost saucily. ~ knOwed about it
afore you did, Mr.. Bill Dale. Don't
you think whoever done it done kind
thing2"
"To disarm the Morelands so that
when the enemy comes they will have
nothing with which to defend them
selvesY" Dale didn't know much
about these hill feuds. mo. Miss Lit
tleford, | can't say that think it was
kind thing to do"
Miss Littleford arose and faced
Dale. Her cheeks were flushed.
HAS the inemy conner" She de-
manded icily.
mo, but"
"All right" the young woman broke
in sharply IF the inemy hain't come,
what're you a-kickin' aboutT
Her brown eyes were full Of fire.
They detied, and they withered, and
Bill Dale suddenly felt that he was
smaller and Of less account in the
scheme of things than that uneducat-
ed, wildly superb creature that stood
before him.
II beg pardon" Dale said evenly. Il
didn't mean to offend, y'knOW."
His quick contrition struck the girl.
Her mouth quivered. She dropped
her tishing-rod, and began to toy alb
sently with the end of her long, thick
plait Of brown hair.
I've seed SO much O. this tghtin','
she murmured tremulously, that 1t
makes me go to pieces. l ought to beg
yOre pardon, mebbe, and l DIDO.
I've seed a good many fine, strong
men brought home dead or a-dy1n'
from the Moreland bullets. And the
Littlefords has killed MOrelands, too.
One side about as many as t'other,
reckon. I'd be glad to give my life
to stop it !"
"In help you, II l can," Dale told
her. perhaps we can make friends
of the Morelands and your people"
You don't know what hard thing
it'd be-" she replied tearfully. THE
two sets has hated each other ever
sence l can rickollect. And you won't
be here very long, L reckon"
IL may be here for the rest Of my
life," said Dale.
'Is it the coal?" inquired Babe.
"Partly-yes, it's the coal. Pm go
ing to develop it for the Morelands."
Babe looked at him with a tiny her
aid of hope in her eyes. Before she
could speak again there came from
somewhere back in the meadow the
sound of her fathers voice
Babe! Ooh, Babe!"
"Comin'!' cried the girl, half turn
ing. wen try to make 'em friends;
Wen try. Old Major Bradley, he'll be
up here afore long to spend the sum
mer, and he'll help US. He's a mighty
good man; you're shore to like him.
He gen'ally stays with us when he's
here. You go easy with John More
land But when ye git him, yen have
'em all. I'll work on pap. The amt
no danger O. trouble right now, any
ways. Goodby, Bib Dale!'
"One moment, Miss Littleford," and
he took a step after her. Are you
sure there's no danger right now"
Babe halted, faced about neryOusly,
and smiled little
Don't call me Miss no more" said
she. ut makes me feel old. Call me
what everybody else calls me, eff ye
don't mind. Why, every one o. tie
Littlefords lost their rifles last night
the same as the Morelands did Meet
me here at sundown, and I'll tell ye
about it. Goodby, Bill DaIe!"
"Goodby, Babe |" he smiled.