Licking Valley courier., 1921-09-08

=
opinion that the girl wouldn't like the
publicity. Suppose you forget all
about 1t, Bobby.
If AeLaurin was disappointed, he
kept 1t well to himself.
"'rhey said she was handsome. a
sort Of primitive Venus" he winked.
us there romance connected, BillT
mot YETI smiled Dale.
"But soon?"
"Who can tell" Dale shrugged a
little. "rell me the news"
"All right" McLaurin drew his
friend toward pair Of empty chairs.
81 married Patricia Clavering the day
before yesterday. We"
"BuIlyl Go on"
1--WE were married in an automobile,
with her father and poor dear Harry
chasing us like wildtire in another car.
Yesterday we went to housekeeping in
cute little suburban bungalow, furni-
ture on the installment plan. Her
people won't even look at US, Bill
But do we care? Bill Dale, ask you,
old dear, do seem to be worrying?
Honest, I'm so happy I'm afraid some
thing is going to happen to me. I'm
to have lift in salary soon, and we
won't be long in paying for the furni-
ture; and when that's done, Wen buy
the bungalow.
"And Pm informing you now, old
savage" he continued, that you're
having dinner with us this evening.
You'll find 1t pleasant. We do as we
please, you see. II you like, you may
stir your coffee with your finger, eat
with your knife, reach clean across the
table, and pick your teeth with your
fork. You can eat with your hat on,
and you may have your dessert first.
You can have an extra chair for your
feet, and you can go to sleep at the
table. Don't fail us. Pat wants to
thank you for casting her aside at
the altar"
Dale laughed boyishly. McLaurln
went on:
"rhere's more news. Your father
has been trying hard to find you. He
sent man to Atlanta to look for you.
lie told me he'd give me house and
lot If Id find you-and If there was a
little more Of the highway rObber In
me, I'd call his handW
"And mother-have you seen herT
Dale muttered.
"rve seen her twice since the near
wedding"
did she have anything to say about
me? Tell me the whole truth, Bobby.
can take 1t, old man. I'm big enough"
McLaurin frowned. "Since you've
asked me, Bill, your mother-l over
heard her telling your father that she
would never forgive you for the ut
terly shameless, disgraceful scene you
made In church."
~ see," said Dale. He frightened
and went on, "As soon as can get my
two friends down to the dining room.
Bobby, you're going with me to father.
We're going to claim that house and
lot for YOU"
"For Patricia's sake, I've q thunder
ing big notion to take you up," laughed
McLaurin. "Your dad would never
miss It,"
"rhat's it-take me up for Pats
sake" said Dale, rising. You'd be
foolish II you didn't. You should bs
willing to do anything, almost, for Pat
She's a jewel, Bobby"
Half an hour later they caught .
passing car that soon carried them tC
palace of granite and stone anC
cream-colored brlck-the home Of thu
old coal king, John X. Dale.
At the wide front gateway younl
Dale drew back.
"Bring father out here" he said IL
low voice. "From what you told me
guess mother wouldn't want me L
come in. But you can find out abou
that"
He hoped his mother would want L
see him. While she had never seemed
to care for him as other mothers caret
for their boys; while she hadn't beeI
quite so dear to him as she might hav
been
"And II she vents to see me, Bobby
let me know"
McLaurin smiled q somewhat wor
ried smile, and went up to the from
door. A moment later he was show
In. Yet another moment, and John K
Dale, his tiorid face beaming wit
gladness, hastened out to the gateway
, Young Dale was instantly touched
his fathers new attitude toward him
then he remembered the long night @
David Morelands people, and he stil
fened n little and drew back pace.
, you've come home to stay, haven
, you, CarlyleT said the older man, an
, his voice was filled with pleading
"What you did is all right; wen neve
!. mention II again. You'll stay, won
!. you, Carlyle, my boyf"
e NO." answered the son, trife coli
e ly In spite OF himself. ave spent a
l the idle, useless years Ill ever spen,
J. I'm getting ready to develop the COT
!. In David Moreland's mountain"
I "Davld-Moreland's-mountalnl" !"
. The retired coal magnate breathe
the three words In husky tone. L
5 put forth hand and rested II agnin
u one of the huge stone gateposts, /
y though to steady himself, and some ,
u the color went from his face,
= "You say David Moreland's mou
5. tain, CarlyleY" Jerkily.
l. "Yes."
"And you-you learned about Dav
s MOrelandY"
n Yes" Bill Dale folded his arm
is and stood there looking at his faith
y with eyes that accused.
Y, "iou know who killed hlmq" o
I, Dale muttered.
II do, and II was a shume-a bla,