The Ordway new era., 1921-12-09
CHAPTER Xxx
The End of II All.

The sun shone very brightly that
day, and the snow began to melt on
the places that were not shaded.
When he returned with Elizabeth from
the crest of David Moreland's noun
tain, John K. Dale took a rocker be-
fore the fire and sat there thinking,
thinking, until the midday meal was
announced. When the midday meal
was over, he resumed his chair and
sat there thinking, thinking, until the
afternoon was half gone.
Then he called Elizabeth to him.
"Will you go TO my son and tell him
wish to see him?" he said. And he
added under his breath: Il think 1T is
best that they should know"
Elizabeth heard that which he had
said to himself as well as she heard
that which he had said to her. Should
know! Know what? She had sud-
den wild fear that Mrs. Dale had
broken her promise never to breathe
Adam Ball affair Nevertheless, she
put on her hat and her gloves and
went to Bill Dale's office.
Dale sat with his elbows on his desk
and with his head in his hands. To
all appearances, he was unaware of
the presence of the girl In the door
way.
She spoke. "Bill!'
He sat up straight and faced her.
He seemed surprised.
"Well, BabeT
"You- father wants you," in low
voice. Hes got something to tell
you that-that will make you think
almost nothing of me!'
Young Dale frowned what is it?"
I'D rather he'd tell you about it.
Bill Dale, I don't think l could bear
to tell you myself"
She turned and was about to hasten
away, when he called to her:
"Wait l''-and she waited.
Has it," he asked, anything to do
with your marriage to Jimmy Fayne?"
'Now
He arose and put on his broad
trimmed hat. "I'll admit" he smiled,
that I'm worse than a granny woman
for poklng my nose into other peoples
affairs-when are you going to marry
Jimmy, Babe?"
The answer came quickly: Never"
"Never"
"Never," repeated Elizabeth, very
quietly.
"NeverY' pursued Dale.
"Never!" cried Elizabeth, exasper-
ated.
"nnodpacc ~ Iaugbad Dolo .tyo,,,,o
dramatic, or vehement, or both. May
walk home with you, Babe?"
Yes, SIR" promptly, 'if you want
to-
They set out across the snow-cov.
cred meadows, and neither spoke an
other word until they had reached
Ben Littleford's log house. The CIR
looked at him queerly as they en-
tered. After he knew
Old Dale still sat before the fire
and near him sat silent John More
land. Old Dale motioned toward al
inside door.
"Please close 1t, Elizabeth" he re
quested, and she obeyed. Now 81
down. I've got something to tell tn
liiTee Ol yOu. anu ldhCy IL Will In
terest all of you"
The two who had just come in too
chairs at the fireside. After me
ment, John K. Dale began:
you've often wondered, Bill, abou
that savage streak-as you choose t
call it-that is in you. You inhe-ite
it. Much of that which we are it
claimed, Is inherited, and it must b
correct; like begets like, of cours,
But there is no savage streak In yo,
Bill. You are hot-headed, that's al
Your virtues overbalance that, by ia
I have never seen another man VIII
had a greater love for honesty an
fair play, or a greater hatred for a
that is hollow and false, or more cou
age to stick up for that which seen
to be right, than you. Now I'll te
you how you came by those fine qua
tiles and the hot-headedness-"
Il Elizabeth Littleford sat wide-eye'
tense, half breathless. II he meant [
tell 1t, why didn't he tell It'll Why dl
he beat about the bush like that7
"Bill, this Is hard for me. 1t brini
back terrible thing. You know abo,
DAVID Mofeiand. When awol
that morning and found him lyir
dead at my eEazal, dEunkan handA