The Belding banner-news., 1921-09-07


Lttleford quickly reached wordless
agreement not To sleep together-they
divided the pillows and linens evenly
tore the odd coverlet exactly i'm half
and slept on the floor.
When Dale went down TO the lobby
the following morning an alert-eyed
young fellow sprang from chair and
hastened up to him.
by George, Bobby" Dale ex-
claimed. as they began to shake hands.
How did you know | was here, any
wayT Your boasted nose for news,
ehY"
Guilty" smiled McLaurin. 81 got
word last night. that a mountain girl
had been brought to Braemer's. acci-
dentally shot and | Smelled feud: So
| hurried over 10 get the story. You
had just left, and Braemers didn't
know much about it. 1t was too soon
after the operation, they said. for her
10 see me- then one OF the nurses
whispered To me that YOU had brought
her. and said that would find YOU here.
81 here | am. Bin, and l want tho
story. I'll phone it in. and then III
give you some news"
''lhe story mustn't be published,
Bobby" Dale replied. For one rea-
son. there is feud; and ii the law
knew. IL might take "A hand-you see,
| think there is Il better way 10 take
care of that feud. And | am of the
opinion that the girl wouldn't like the
publicity. suppose you forget all
about ii. Bobby.
II McLaurin was disappointed, he
kept IL we'll to himself.
"'They said she was handsome a
sat of primitive Venus he winked.
'ls there Il romance connected, Bill?"
Not yet. smiled Dale.
"But sooni'
who can tell?" Dale shrugged a
little. Tell me the news
"All right Mcl.aurin drew his
friend toward pair Of empty chairs.
Il married Patricia CIavering the day
before yesterday. We
bully. Go on"
we were married i'm an automobile,
with her father and poor dear Harry
chasing Us like wildfire i'm 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 worryingy
Honest, I'm 50 happy I'm afraid some
thing is going TO happen 10 me. I'm
70 have lift in salary soon, and we
won't be long in paying for the furni-
ture; aud when that's done, well buy
the bungalow.
And I'm Informing you now, old
savage" he continued, that you're
having dinner with us this evening.
You'll find IL 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 nm extra chair for your
feet. and YOU can 20 10 sleep ut the
table. Don't fail Us. Pat wants TO
thank you for casting her aside at
the altar"
Dale laughed boyishly. McLaurin
went on:
There's more news. Your father
has been trying hard to find you. He
sent "A man to Atlanta To look for you.
lie told me he'd give me a house and
lot If I'd lind you-and If there was Il
little more of the highway robber in
me, I'd call his hand :"
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 it, old man. I'm big enough"
McLaurin frowned. "Since you've
asked me, Bill, your mother over
heard her telling your father tha, she
would never forgive you for the ut
terly shameless, disgraceful scene you
made in church"
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 10 claim that house and
lot for you"
"For Patricia's sake, I've a thunder
ing big notion TO take you up" laughed
McLaurin. sYodr dad would never
miss IT,"
That's ii-take me up for Pats
sake said Dale. rising. you'd be
foolish II you didn't. You should be
willing to do anything. almost. for Pat.
She's u jewel, Bobby"
Half an hour later they caught n
passing car that soon carried them TO
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
low voice. From what you told me,
| guess mother wouldn't want me to
come In. But you can find out about
that"