The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-08-11
CHAPTER xI
ax Hack k..n. . s.e...


Elizabeth Littleford sat up In the ST.
lence. 1t was a great and heavy silence
that lowered there over the north end
Of David Aoreland's mountain. There
was not even the drumming Of yell
lowhammer, not even the saucy chat
tering Of boomer squirrel, not even
the twittering of bird. Not a leaf
stirred anywhere. Everything seemed
lifeless. 1t was almost as though she
were the sole inhabitant Of the world.
Then she thought. 1t was noontime,
and the officer and his prisoner would
doubtless halt at John Moreland's
cabin for the monday meal; and II
she FASTENED she would get to see Bill
Dale again.
So she ran like doe through the
green woodland, through the tangle Of
laurel and ivy and over the moss,
covered stones, across shoulder Of
David Moreland's mountain. She was
barefooted, and her dress was sim
pie garment of whits-dotted blue
calico, and her long brown hair flowed
behind her like the hair of q young
witch-because Of the excitement Of
the morning, she had forgotten to give
II its usual daily plating.
AS she drew near to the Moreland
leaders home. she saw Bill Dale and
the sheriff walk out at the gateway
and mount their horses. Major Brad
ley came out, and he, too. mounted his
horse; and she was glad that he was
going along. There was great crowd;
all the Littlefords were there, and all
the MOrelands. and old Granny Heck
the fortune-telier. On every face Babe
saw signs of sympathy and sorrow
Her eyes filled. She was so glad that
they, too, loved him. 1t was worth go.
ing to jail to know that one was loved
like that! Not that It didn't hurt to
see him going to jail, of course. Jail
and horror are words that mean the
same - the mountain dweller
She went on to tell him good by.
She knew IT, would be hard. but she
steeled herself; she would be q Little
ford. and strong. He saw her. coming,
and he turned his bay horse and rode
to meet her. She stopped and clasped
her hands, with her arms down full
length, and tried to smile at him.
"YOu promised me-" ne said gently,
''that you'd go back to Patricia and
finish -FOUR education"
81 keep my promises" was the quick
reply, "jest like every other Littleford
that ever lived kept their promises.
would ha' went back this nlornip',
eff II hadn't ha' been"
And there she broke off abruptly.
After a silent moment, she continued
sadly, half tearfully: "And yet--and
yet--the's not a bit o. use 10 me
a.gs,r' lack nowi"
"Why7" Dale was smiling. and she
was glad to note that b. did nh 2,r
pear to be grieving over his msfor
tune.
Cause the ain't," simply.
"But you'll go"
"Yes." she said, "in the mornin' I'll
CO." go
He bent toward her aid held dagn
his hand. "GOOd-by, little girl. ! hope
1t will come out all right. and ! be.
;ieve Il will"
Babe slowly lifted her hand to his
Her eyes were dOwncast.
"Good-by." she told him brUkenly.
"And hope IT will come out all right.
tOo--GOd knows ! do. Bill Dale"
Thus they parted. Dale rode back
to the sheriff and Major Bradley, and
a minute later the three of them start.
ed for the lowland and Cartersville
Jail.
When bend In the dusty ox-wagon
road had hidden them from view,
Elizabeth Littleford turned homeward
Her mother followed her.
The younger woman dropped TO the
stone step az the vine-hung front
porch with the afr of or who Is very
tired. plucked full-blown marigold
and began absently to tear its petals
slowly apart. Mrs. Littleford looked
out across the meadows. sighed.
smOoihed back her gray hair will
both hands, and sat down beside hei
daughter.
81 wouldn't worry about It, Babe
honey" she finally said Then she
too plucked marigold and began To-
tear Its petals slowly apart. "Ef he
killed Adam Ball II was to save him
self. He's n good man, honey. think
he's about the best man ] ever seed
Babe"
mo, he never killed Adam Ball I,
save hisself even," Babe replied
"He's fighter, but he amt no killer
Listen. mother. II might ha' been this
away:
"He Is ahind Of a tree. and Adam Is
ahlDd of another tree. Adam shoots
at his hat, and he shoots at Adams
hat-which Is the reg'lar way of a
twOmaD fight, as you know. Well
suddenly Adam he jumps up like he's
z been shot. and falls a-groanin' and
a-twIstin Bill Dale. a-thinkin' he's
killed Adam, comes out from ahind Of
his tree. HayiD drawed Bill Dale ont
into the open by his trick, Adam gifts
ready TO shoot and kill him. Jest as
Adam is about to shoot, somebody else
shoots and kills Adam and saves Bill
Dale-mebbe the ain't time fo' any
q n