Okolona messenger., 1921-10-06
CHAPTER Xxx
The End Of II All.

The sun shone very brightly that
day, and the snow began to melt on
the places that were not shaded
When he returned with Elizabeth from
the crest Of David Moreland's noun
tain, John X. 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
Eat there thinking, thinking, until the
afternoon was half gone.
Then he called Elizabeth to him.
"Will you go to my son and tell him
/ wish to see him?" he said. And he
added under his breath :,"I think It 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
knOwr Know what? She had a sud-
den wild fear that Mrs. Dale had
broken her promise never to breathe
a 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
and with his head in his hands. To
all appearances, he was unaware Of
the presence Of the girl in the door
way.
She spoke. "BnlY"
He sat up straight and faced her.
he seemed surprised.
"Well, Babel"
"Y6ur father wants you" In low
voice. Hes got something to tell
you that-that will make you think
almost nothing Of mer'
Young Dale frowned. 'What is it?'
I'D rather he'd tell you about 1t.
Bill Dale, don't think could bear
to tell you myself"
She turned and was about to hasten
away. when he called to her:
''Wait p'-and she waited.
HAS It," he asked, anything to do
with your marriage to Jimmy Fayneg"
"No"
He arose and put on his broad
trimmed hat. "Pll admit" he smiled,
that I'm worse than granny woman
for poking my nose into other peoples
are you going to marry
Jimmy, BabeT
The answer came quickly: "Never."
''Neverl'
"Never," repeated Elizabeth, very
quietly.
"Never?" pursued Dale.
"Never" cried Elizabeth, exasper-
ated.
Goodness !" laughed Dale. you're
dramatic, or vehement, or both. May |
walk home with you, Babe?"
"Yes, sir" promptly, 'if you want |
o."
They set out across the snow-cov-
cred meadows, and neither spoke an
,tlier word until they had reached
Ben Littleford's log house. The girl |
oOked at him queerly as they en-
erred, After he knew
Old Dale still sat before the fire,
ind near him sat silent John More
and. Old Dale motiOned toward an |
inside door.
''Please close 1t, Elizabeth" he re-
Iuested, and she obeyed. Now sit
Iown. I've got something to tell the
hree Of you. And fancy It will In
crest all Of you"
The two who had just come In took
hairs at the fireside. After a mo-
nent, John K. Dale began:
"You've often wondered, Bill, about
hat savage streak-as you choose to
all it--that is In you. You inherited
t. Much Of that which we are, il Is
Iaimed, is Inherited, and It must be
orrect; like begets like, OF course.
sut there Is no savage streak In you,
'ill. You are hot-headed, that's all.
our virtues 0verbalance that, by far.
have never seen another man who
ad q greater love for honesty and
air play, or greater hatred for all
hat Is hollow and false or more cour-
&c to stick up for that which seems
D be right, than you Now I'll tell
ou how you came BY those fine quail
les and the ot-headedness--''
Elizabeth Littleford sat wlde-eyed,
snse. half breathless. II he meant to
III II, why didn't ne tell It why did 4
e beat about the bnsh like thatf
"BllI. this Is hard for me. II brings
acIs a terrible thing. You know about
avid M0reIand. When I nwoke
lat morning and found him lying
cad at my craEed. drunken hands Il