The Ordway new era., 1921-09-23

lnt hiltl-
pale laughed boyishly. McLaurin
went on:
..rhere's more news. Your father
has been trying hard to iind you. lie
sent man to Atlanta to look for you.
lie told me he'd give me II house ana
lot II I'd lind you-and if there was
little more of the highway robber In
me. I'd call his hand ~
And mother-have you seen herr
Dale muttered.
I've seen her twice since the near
wedding"
Did she have anything to say about
me? Tell me the whole truth, Bobby.
can take it, old man. I'm big enough.
McI.aurn frowned. "Slnce 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, dlsgraceful scene you
made in church."
Il 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 Patrlcia's sake, I've a thunder
ing big notion to take you up laughed
McLaurln. Your dad would never
miss it"
THAT'S it-take me up for Pats
sake" said Dale, rising. you'd be
foolish il you didn't. You should be
willing to do anything almost, for Pat.
Shes n jewel, Bobby"
Half an hour later they caught n
passing ear that soon carried them 10
palace of granite and stone and
cream-colored brick-the home of the
old coal king, John X. Dale.
AT the wide front gateway young
Dale drew back.
Bring father out here" he said in
a low voice. Prom what you told me
| guess mother wouldn't want me to
come in. But you can find out about
that"
He hoped his mother would want to
see him. While she had never seemed
to care for him as other mothers cared
for their boys; while she hadn't been
quite so dear to him as she might have
been
And if she vents to See me, Bobby,
let me know"
McLaurin smiled somewhat wor-
ried smile. and went up to the front
door. A moment later he was shown
/ in. Yet another moment, and John X.
| Dale, his tiorid face beaming with
| gladness, hastened out to the gateway.
Young Dale was instantly touched by
his fathers new attitude toward him
then he remembered the long night of
David Moreland's people, and he stiff
fened a little and drew back pace.
you've come home to stay, haven't
you, Carlyle?" said the older man, and
his voice was filled with pleading.
What you did is all right; Wen never
mention it again. You'll stay, won't
you, Carlyle, my boy?"
NO, answered the son. n trfie cold
ly in spite of himself 1--WE spent all
the idle, useless years I'll ever spend
I'm getting ready to develop the coal
in David Moreland's mountain"
"David-AlOreland's- nd's-mountain
The retired coal magnate breathed
the three words in a husky tone. He
put forth hand and rested 1t agains,
one of the huge stone gateposts. as
though to steady himself, and some OF
the color went from his face.
You say David Morelands moun
tain, Carlyle?" jerkily.
"Yes."
"And yOu-you learned apout Dayic
Moreland?"
Yes" BIZ Dale folded his arm.
and stood there looking at his fatbe,
with eyes that accused.
You know who killed him?r al,
Dale muttered.
II do, and it was shame-a blacl
shame"
Yes, 1t was shame. Nobody know,
that half so well as | know IT." sal,
John X. Dale. His mouth uuiyered
lie looked downward, looked up again
Son, you can never say or think wors
thihgs about me than have said an,
,ioueht about myself-because o
that"
Dale the younger glanced towar,
the house. Robert McLaurin was com
ing slowly down the veranda steps
Airs. Dale was nowhere in sight. Sh
uidht want to see her son; she didn'
even want him in the house. Bill Dnl
read 1t all In his friends downcas
countenance, and 1t was somehow
great disappointment.
you'll need money II you're goin
20 develop that coal property" Dal
the elder was saying. "YOu haven
any money, and those mountain fol
haven't any. I'll give you all that
needed. I'll send you mining machlr
cry, and expert mining men; III"