Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-10-14
CHAPTER Xxx
The End of Il All.

day, and the snow began to melt on
the places that were not shaded.
When he returned with Elizabeth from
the crest of David Morelands noun
tain, John X. Dale took 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
sat there thinking, thinking, until the
afternoon was half gone.
Then 'he called EIizabeth' to him.
"Wlll you 60 to my son and tell him
| wish to see him." he said. And he
aGded under his breath: 81 think 1t 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
know! Know what? She hadsa 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 III his hands. To
all appearances, he was unaware OF
the presence of the girl in the door
way.
Size spoke. "Bill!"
He sat up straight and faced her,
He seemed surprised.
"Well, Babe?"
Your father wants you," in low
voice. Hes got something to tell
you that-that will make you think
almost nothing Of me-"
Young Dale frowned. 'What IS lt?"
"Td rather he'd tell you about it.
Bill Dale, l don't think could bear
to tell you myself"
She turned and was about to hasten
away, when he called to her:
"Wait !"-and she waited.
HAS it," lie asked, anything to do
with your marriage to Jimmy Fayne:'
"Now
He arose and put on his broad.
trimmed hat. "I'll admit" he smiled
that I'm worse than granny woman
Cor poking my nose into other peoples
aifairs-when are you going 70 marry
Jimmy, Babe?"
The answer came quickly: Never"
Never"
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
to-"
They set out across the snow-cov-
cred meadows, and neither spoke an
other word until they had reached
Ben Littleford's log house. I .e girl
looked at him Queerly as they en-
tered. After he knew
Old Dale still sat before the fire
and near him sat silent John More
land. Old Dale motioned toward an
inside door.
please close it, Elizabeth" he re-
queSted, and she Obeyed. "NOw sit
down. I've got something to tell the
three of you. And | fancy 1t will in
tercSt all of YOU"
The two who had just come In took
chairs at the firesde. After mo
mcnt, John X. Dale began:
you've often wondered, Bill, about
that savage streak-as you choose to
call it-that is in you. You inherited
il. Much of that which we are, it is
claimed Is inherited, and it must be
correct; like begetS like, Of course
But there is no savage streak in you
Bill. You are hot-headed, that's all
Your virtues Overbalance that, by far
have never seen another man who
had 4 greater love for honesty and
fair play, or greater hatred for all
thai IS hollow and false, or more cour.
axe " SlI'N ull loI NIIul NAiiNH oSSii'
to Ge Fight, than you. Now I'll tel
ron how you came by those fine quail
ltics and the hot-hcadedncSS-"
Elizabeth LittIeford sat wide-eyed
tense, half breathlcss. If he meant to
tell il, why didn't lie tell it! Why ola
he beat about the bush like that?
bill, this is hard for me. 1t brings
lack terrible thing. You know about
David Murcland =. When ! aw0ke
that morning and found him lying
dead at my crazed, drunken hands, |
wished that l. too, were dead. :.
That great and silent wilderness
SmOthcrcd ne. imagined that ! could
hear voices calling to me, saying
."Cain! Cain"
"They came from the laurel thicketS,
from the trees overhead, from the
ground, from everywhere. You see,
wasn't all bad. even in my Wildcats
days. Then thought Of the law, and
| ran. -.
"But the cry Of a child from the
cabin | was leaving halted me before
had gone thirty yards David More
, lands wife had left him with baby