Licking Valley courier., 1921-09-08

John MOreland and Ben LittlcfOrd-
and told him about it. McLaurin was
almost as happy as Dale over it. A
bellboy appeared like a jack-in-the-bOS
in the center of the floor. "Mistoh
Cahlyle Dale! MlistOh Cahlyle Dale +
Dale wheeled. "WellT
"Wanted immejtly at Doctoh Brae-
meh's hOspittle, suhw
Dale shook hands with McLaurn
and hurried toward the street.
A few minutes later Doctor Braemer
met him in the reception room.
whats wrong, dOctOrT
The surgeon beckoned. Come with
me-"
He turned and led the way through
a long corridor and to sunny white
room where Babe LlttlefOrd lay with
bandage about her temples. Ben Lit
tleford was on his knees at his
daughters bedside; he was slowly
wringing his big, rough hands and beg
ging piteOusly to be forgiven.
Babe stared at him tritle cOdly.
She had not yet seen the two men who
stood in the doorway. Then she in
terrupted her father:
"You hush, pap, and 60 away. rd
told We hunderd times about tightln
a-bein' murder, and specially to us
wimmenfolks, and you never would
pay any 'tentiOn to me. You hush.
pap, and 90 away. Ef | die, I'll Jest
haf to die. And eff die, shore do
want to die in peace. Go way, pap"
But ye must live, Babe, honey r.
Ben LittlefOrd moaned. "Ef you was
to die, what'd do?"
~ don't know what ye'd do, pap"
Babe said weakly. "lOu ought to
thought O. that afore, pup. 1t may he
too late now. want ye to so on OIL
and le' me alone. Ef die, want To
die in peace. The Lord knows never
got to live In peacel"
There was a worried look In her
wonderful brown eyes, and the doctor
saw It. lie strobe forward decisivcly
and helped Littleford to his feet. The
hillman wiped away a tear with his
faded blue bandnna, and hung his
head. lie had been made broken
man in one day.
And believe | bout done 1t, dom
your"
Dale was relieved. 81 do. Is there
anything you want, Babe? II there is
I'll get 1t for you If it's in the uni
verse;
"rhe universeW she repeated inQuir
ingly, "Whats the universe, Bill Dale
SOmethin' to eatp
"rhe world, the sun, the moon, an,
the stars"
She smiled at him again. "NO," sh,
said, the amt nothin' want, an,
amt nOthin ye can do TO me,
reckon"
but | thought, as they sent 70
me-"
Babe llttlcIords fingers held tghtl.
to his. at was me that sent fo' you.
She turned her face the other way
81 was sO lonesome, Bill Dalew
Robert McLaurins wife, Patricia
visited Babe twice daily, and friend
ship that was none the less whm TO
being unique Sprang up quickly be
tween them. Patricia declared to he
husband that she was going 10 kce
Babe-whOm she was already calln
by her proper name, the same bem
Elizubeth-and educate her. Their
was room in the bungalow, Palnci
said; aud she really needed company
because Bobby was away 50 much
Babe accepted little Mrs. Mcl.auriu'
offer us soon us Bill Dale convince
her that She wouldn't be merely an ol
ject Of charity The hill prlde's hrs
law is that one must pay for whu
he gels-und it's probably the trs
law God laid down for old Adam /
Eden. Ben LittlefOrd seemed bewl
dered and blue when they told him I
the arrangement, but he voiced no ol
lection. Dale pressed upon him
loan Of u hundred dollars, and U
dered him to give 1t to his daughte
which he did. Elizabeth LittlefOrd, ,
course, would need new clothing.
II amt even got any dresses
home" she whispered to Patricia, "b,
two"