Cleveland County herald., 1921-08-04


 was on the long siding, waiting for the south bound to pass. Dale gave his end of the litter to Caleb Moreland and strode up to the locomotive The engineer sat quietly smoking in his cab.
 Dale wanted the fast mail stopped, and gave his reasons
 The engineer smoked and consd- cred. It was against rules. Dale swore at rules. The engineer said he would see the conductor He did, and the conductor stepped to the ground and began to consider.
 Better put her on my train" he said finally, and take her to Barton's station. There's a good doctor at Bar tons@'
 But this is case for a surgeon p impatiently interrupted Bill Dale
 They disagreed. The old trainman was a close friend of the doctor at Barton's station. What was the diff ference between a doctor and sur geon, anyway?
 Dale became angry.
 You'll stop the fast mail for us," he snapped, .'or we'll take your d-d red flag and hold her up long enough to put the girl aboard. and you've got only half a second to decide which !''
 The conductor was obdurate. The mountain men were too hot-headed to bear with him longer. The positions ,f change. The conductor immediately went pale and mentioned the law but he agreed to stop the southbound.
 As he ordered his tlagman up the tracks, the sound of the fast trains whistle came to their ears
 The tiier came to a screeching halt with sparks streaming from it's wheels. Bill Dale and John Moreland passed the litter and it's burden into the bag gage car and followed it hastily. and Ben Littleford climbed in after them. John Moreland leaned out of the door way and ordered his son Luke to pass him his rifle, and Luke obeyed promptly.
 There was a shriek from the whistle, and the brakes were released; the train began to gather momentum. A baggageman approached John More land and asked why the rifle. More land half closed one keen grey eye and patted the walnut stock of his repeater.
 "Oh, 1 jest brought it along to see at everybody has a straight deal" he drawled-''go on about yore business, mister"
 The baggageman went about his business.
 The conductor of the fast train was very unlike the conductor of the north bound. When he had learned some thing of the circumstances, he insinu ated that Dale had done exactly the right thing. He would see whether there was a doctor aboard.
 Within five more minutes he re- turned in company with an elderly man wearing a pointed beard and nese glasses.
 Doctor Mckenzie" he said polite ly; MT. -"
 Dale"
 The two nodded, and the physician knelt beside the litter which had been placed with it's ends on boxes to allow the center to swing free. He made as thorough an examination as was pos sible under the conditions, then arose and stood looking down upon the young woman with something like ad- miration in his sober, professional eyes.
 Perfect physique" he said as though to himself. ''She will have to undergo an operation" he told Dale. '"rhe bone there is broken in slightly, making a compression; she will doubtless be unconscious until the pressure is relieved. But she has fine chances for quick and entire recov- cry. with good surgeon on the job, so there's not much ground for worry
 Dale was glad. They were all glad. Ben Littleford laughed nervously ill his sudden joy. He went down to his knees beside his daughter, took up one of her limp hands and stroked 1t in way that was pitiful.
 When he arose he spoke cordially to Moreland. But Moreland didn't re- ply. He still looked upon his old en- emy with contempt.
 Doctor Mckenzie was leaving the train at the next town of importance, and he would wire Doctor Braemer to meet them with an ambulance, ii Dale wished.
 If you please" said Dale.
 They reached the city shortly before and were promptly met by the surgeon. Braemer took charge of the patient, put her into his ambu- lance and hurried her to his private hospital. Bill Dale and the two clan chiefs followed in an automobile. The hillmen had never before seen an au- but they asked no questions about it, and the only word of com ment was this, from John Moreland:
 T don't like the smell"
 Everything had been made ready for the operation, and Babe received sur gical aid without delay
 The two mountalleers and Dale waited in another room. Dale had in-