The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-09-08
CHAPTER Xxx
The End of II All.

"hen ne 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
Fat there thinking, thinking, until the
afternoon was half gone.
Then he called Elizabeth to him.
"Will you 60 to my son and tell him
wish to see him" he said. And he
ADDED under his breath: 'T 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
knowI Know what7 She had a sud-
den wild fear that Mrs. Dale had
broken her promise never to breathe
q word Of the truth concerning the
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
end with his head in his hands. To
Gil appearances, he was unaware of
She presence Of the girl in the door
way.
She spoke. "Billi"
He sat up straight and faced her.
He seemed surprised.
swell, Babe2"
Your father wants YOU" In a low
voice. Hes got something to tell
you that-that will maize you think
almost nothing Of mel"
Young Dale frOwned. "What is II p"
'Pd rather he'd tell you about Il.
Bill Dale. l don't think I could bear
to tell you myself"
She turned and was about to hasten
away. when he called to her:
"Wait r"-and she waited.
HAS It," he asked, "anything to do
with your marriage to Jimmy Fayne?"
~Nor
he arose and put on his broad.
rtmmed hat. "Tll admit" he smiled,
that I'm worse than granny woman
fo- rcking my nose into other peoples
anairs-when are you going to marry
Jimmy, Babef'
The answer came quickly: Never"
'Neverp
"Never." repeated Elizabeth, very
quietly.
"Never7" pursued Dale.
"Never!" cried Elizabeth, exasper-
ated.
Goodness |" laughed Dale. You're
dramatic, or vehement, or both. May
] walk home with you, Babe?"
Eyes, 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
Ran Littleford's log house. The girl
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 an
inside door.
"Please close 1t, Elizabeth" he re-
quested, and she obeyed. Now sit
down. I've got something to tell the
three Of you. And fancy 1t will in
terest all Of you"
The Two who had just come I'm took
chairs at the fireside. After a mo-
ment, John X. Dale began:
you've often wondered, Bill, about
that savage streak-as you choose 10
call it-that Ia In you. You inherited
it. Much Of that which we are, it Ia
claimed, is inherited. and it must be
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.
l have never seen another man who
had q greater love for honesty and
fair play, or greater hatred for all
that is hollow and false, or more cour-
age to stick up for that which seems
- be right, than you. Now III tall
you how you came by those Hne quail.
tiles and the hOt-headedness-"
Elizabeth Littleford sat wide-eyed,
tense, half breathless. II he meant to
tell II, why didn't he tell It'll Why did
be beat about the bush like that7
"Bill. this is hard for me. 1t brings
back terrible thing. You know about
David Moreland. -. When / awoke
that morning and found him lying
dead at my crazed, drunken hands. I
wished that l. too, were dead. +.
esAt uuu lhCoo
smothered me. I imagined that could
hear voices calling to me, saying
"'Cain Caln'
They came from the laurel thickets.
from the trees overhead, from the
ground, from everywhere. You see,
wasn't all bad. even In my wildcats
days. Then thought Of the lave and
ran. -.
sBpt the cry Of child from the
cabin I was leaving halted me before
had gone thirty yards. David More
lands wife had left him with baby
only few weeks old, which didn't
pay any particular attention to until
that morning, that black morning. AT
that time there was no other house
for miles around. couldn't leave the
child there to die Of starvation, after
killing It's father. SO went back and
gDf the baby. and all Its clothing. and
f..<s xxtts n tAff nj a