The Belding banner-news., 1921-09-14

Southerner Of the old type.
"Who's that?" whispered Dale TO
John Moreand.
But Moreland didn't hear. He ran
forward with his right hand out
stretched, and SO did Ben Littleford.
Men could not have greeted brother
with more gladness, Dale thought.
Iii. thar. Major Bradley" the hill
man cried. And how dye come ON
today?"
Il am very we'll, gentlemen, thank
you." said the major. smiling.
He shook their hands heartily. THE
trainmen gave US your message ycster-
day." he went on. still smiling. land
We were delighted 10 learn that the
young woman was out Of danger. l
trust you are all In good health, gen.
tlemen"
They assured him that they were.
Moreand turned TO Introduce Bill Dale
and the mining man. From the mo-
ment that Major Bradley gripped
Dale's hand they were friends.
Mighty glad to know you, sir"
hearing great deal about you. sir,
over in the valley OF the Doe. They
seem 10 think there's nobody just like
Bill Dalel Ii was Bill Dale this.
and Bill Dale that; il was Here's
where Bill Dale whipped Black adam,
or, Here's where Bill Dale was stand
ing when such-and-such happened. or,
Here's where Bill Dale crossed the
fencen"
''Hah-hah-hah !" sluggshly laughed
by Heck, who stood leaning on the
muz.le of his ride "Bil Dale is all
right, major; ye've shore got my word
70 that"
The others laughed. Then John
More!and said they'd better be moy-
ing, or they'd be late for dinner.
Nhen they had put "a hundred yards
of David Moreland's mountain behind
them, the Old Southerner tugged slyly
AT Dale's sleeve and Mhispered
LET us fall behind little, if you
please. want 10 speak with you
privately"
They began 10 lag. and soon there
was distance OF several rods u,,-
tween them and the others.
81 heard through Addie Moreland."
began Bradley his friendly hand on
( the younger mans arm. about you
and what you're planning 10 do for
! the Morelands. tell you, sir, |
1 thanked heaven for your coming, and
you may count on me TO help in any
way | can. The Morelands are quite
friendly TO me now though up 10 the
middle OF last summer they didni like
me any too well because | made Ben
. Littlefords cabin my home when out
here.
1T was a simple thing that brought
us together John Moreand's little
nephew was lost In the woods and his
mother was frantic. There are pan
thers, you know. and wildcats. rattlers.
and copperheads. / was fortunate
enough 10 find the boy, and carried
him home. That was all. They're a
fine people, my boy. and SO are the
Littlefords Good old English blood
that somehow wandered Off. There's
no purer, cleaner blood in America,
sir.
And now-how are you getting
along with your plans for the opera
Z tion of the coal mineI'
"Exceliently." answered Dale. I'VE
have the necessary finance; a geared
locomotive and ears and light steel
rails have been bargained for"
"Good!' Bradley gave Dale hearty
slap on the shoulder.
There's something else wanted 10
say, Alr. Dale" he continued, his
voice grave. You're nearly certain
10 have a barrel of trouble with a
shyster coal man named Henderson
Con. He's villain. sir, ii ever there
was one. And he's quite the smooth
est article I've ever seen. He can
make YOU believe black is white, II
only you'll listen to him long enough.
"Is he-has he been here recently?'
Dale wanted To know.
(To BE CONTINUED