The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1921-12-22
CHAPTER Xxx
The End Of Il All.

I've sun sHOHe very DrlHn.Iv tnnt
| day. and the snow begun to melt on
the places that were not shaded.
When he returned with Elizabeth from
the crest Of David Morelnnd's noun
tain, John X. Dale took rocker be-
fore the fire aud 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 I've called Elizabeth toShim.
"Will you 20 TO my son and ten him
T. Wish to see him?" he said. And he
ndded under his. breath; II. think II. is
hest that. they sh6nld know"
Elizabeth heard that which he had
said tn himself as well as he@heard
that which he had snle TO her. Should
knowi Know what? She had sud
den wild fear that Mrs. Dale had
broken her promise -never to hrpnIhe
II word Of the truth concerning the
Adam Ball affair. Nevertheless. she
put 'on her hat and her gloves and
went to Bill Dnle's office.
Dale sat with his elbows on his desk
and with his head In his hands. To
MI appearances, lie was unaware Of
the presence Of the girl In the door
way.
She spoke. "Bill"
He sat up struight and faced her.
He seemed surprised.
"Well. Babe?"
"Your fniher wants you." In a low
voice. lies goi something to tell
you that-thnt will mike you think
almost nothing Of mer'
Young Dale frowned. "What Ia it?''
I'D rather he'd tell you about It.
BIN Dale. ] don't think could bear
to tell you myself"
She turned and was about to hasten
away when he called to her
"Wnlt l'--and she waited.
| ''llas IT," he asked. anything to do
with your marriage to Jimmy Fayne2'
"Nor
He arose and put on his broad
trimmed hnt. "Tll admit" he smiled.
| that fm worse than II granny woman
COR pOking my nose into other peoples
aIalrs-when are you going To marry
Jimmy. Bahe?"
The answer came quickly: Never"
| "Npveri"
"Neyer," repeated Elizabeth. very
quletly.
"NeverT pursued Dale.
"Neverw cried Elizabeth, exasper.
ated.
Goodness laughed Dale. You're
dramatic, or vehement. or both. May
walk home with you. Babe?"
"Yes, sir promptly, III you want
TO-"
They set out across the snow GOV.
cred meadows. and neither spoke nm.
other word until they had reached
Ben Littleford's log house. The girl
looked at him queeriy 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 All
inside door.
please close II, Elizabeth" he re,
quested, and she obeyed. Now sit
down. I've got something to tell the
three Of you. And fancy II will In.
terest all of you"
The two who had just come In tool
chairs at the freside. After a mo
ment, John X. Dale began:
You've often wondered. Bill, about
thut savage streak-as you choose tc
call it--that is In you. You Inherited
IL. Much of that which we are. IL {.
claimed. is inherited. and II must b,
correct; like begets like, of course
But there is no savage streak In you
Bill. You are hOt-headed. that's all
Your virtues overbalance that. by far
have never seen another man VIII,
had greater love for honesty an,
fair play, or greater hatred for al
that is hollow and false. or more cour
uge TO stick up for that which seem.
10 be right, than you. Now I'll tel
you how you came by those fine DUAL
titles and the hot ot-headedness-"
Elizabeth Litileford sat wide-cyed
tense. half breathless. II he meant {,
tell II. why didn't he tell III Why dio
he heat about the bush like that?
| "BIll. this Is hard for me. II bring.
back a terrible thing. You know about
David Moreland. When | aw0k,
that morning and found him Iyin,
| dead nj my cruzed drunken hun,Is