Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-08-11

Barton's station. What was the DIFF
ference between a doctor and a sur
geOn. anyway
Dale became angry.
you'll stop the fast mail for US,
he snapped, "or Wen take your Id
red flag and hold her up long enough
TO put the girl aboard. and you've got
only half a second to decide which !!
The conductor was obdurate. The
mountain men were too hOt-headed to
bear with him longer. The positions
of a dozen rifles underwent a sudden
change. The conductor Immediately
went pale and mentioned the law
but he agreed 10 stop the southbound.
As he ordered his tiagman up the
tracks, the sound of the fast trains
whistle came to their ears.
The fiier came to screechlng halt
with sparks streaming from its wheels.
Bill Dale and John MOreland passed
the litter and its burden into the bag
gage car and followed it hastily, and
Ben LittlefOrd climbed in after them.
John Moreland leaned out of the door
way and ordered his son Luke to pass
him his rifle, and Luke obeyed
promptly.
There was a shrek from the whistle,
and the brakes were released; the
train began to gather momentum. A
baggageman approached John More
land and asked why the rifle. More
and patted the walnut stock of his
repeater.
"Oh, | Jest brought it along to see
at everybody has straight DEAL" he
drawled-"go on about yore business,
mister"
The baggageman went about his
business.
The conductor of the fast train was
very unlike the conductor of the north
bound. When he had learned some
thing of the circumstances, he insinu-
ated that Dale had done exactly the
right thing. He would see whether
there was a doctor aboard.
Within five more minutes he re-
turned in company with an elderly
man wearing a pointed beard and nose
glasses.
Doctor Mckenzie" he said polite
ly; mir. -"
Dale"
The two nodded, and the physician
knelt beside the litter, which had Deen
placed with it's ends on boxes to allo"
the center to swing free. de maue d.
thorough an examination as was pos
sible under the conditions, then arose
and stood looking down upon tne
young woman with something ike au'
miratiOn in his sober, professional
eyes.
Perfect physique" he said as
though to himself. she VIII
have to undergo an operation" ne 'o.u
Dale. 1.-The bone there is broken III
slightly, making a compression Sue
will doubtless be unconscious untll the
pressure is relieved. But she has me
chances for quick and entire recoV'
cry, with a good surgeon on the Jop
so there's not much ground for worry.
Dale was glad. They were all glad
Ben LittlefOrd laughed nervously III
his sudden joy. He went down TO MS
knees beside his daughter, TOOK up
one of her limp hands and stroked IL
in way that was pitiful.
When he arose he spoke cordially
to Moreland. But MOreland didn't re-
ply. He still looked upon his ola en-
envy with contempt.
Doctor Mckenzie was leaving the
train at the next town of importance
and he would wire Doctor Braemer 10
meet them with an ambulance, if Dale
wished.
"If YOU please" said Dale.
They reached the city shortly before
midnight, and were promptly met by
the surgeon. Braemer took charge OF
the patient, put her into his ambl-
lance and hurried her to his private
hospital. Bill Dale and the two clan
chiefs followed in an automobile. Inc
hillmen had never before seen an au'
tomobile; but they asked no questions
about it, and the only word of com
ment was this, from John Moreiand
81 don't like the smell"
Everything had been made ready for
the operation, and Babe received sur
gical aid without delay.
The two mountaineers and Dale
waited in another room. Dale had in
duced John Moreand to unload his
rifle, both chamber and magazine
Babes father paced the floor anxious
ly now and then. Moreland sat like
stone, with his empty rifle between
his knees, and watched his old enemy
queerly.
II seemed q long time before Brae-
mer came to them and told them smil-