The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-11-04

the hills, OF che feud between her pe0s
pie and the Boreiands and Of how she
had hated tina bioodshed. She told OF
the coming OF Major Bradley. OF her
burning thirst for education, Of the old
trainman who had thrown her news
paper each day, and OF the coming OF
Bill Dale.
II was lonesome" she continued,
''and nobody ever seemed TO under
stand how | felt. That 10, until Bin
Dale came. After met him, couldn't
see anything but aim; he seemed TO me
like somethin' I'd had and lost. !"
Then" said Mrs. Dale, ''why did
you refuse TO marry"
"Wait-you don't haaow 1t ALL" Eliz-
abeth interrupted heA @xhere was the
KILN o. that heather. Adam Ball.
went to tend the trial because / knew
/ could clear your son If Mates Brad
ley couldn't. You see, Airs. Dale, |
happened to know who did kill Adam
Ball, and meant to tell II 1t was nee
essary.
"0n the mornin' of the KILN Bill
had started up the river by himself 1t
was dangerous for him to go off like
that, on account o. them Balls and Tor
reys. Back in the Big Pine country
there Is tall, thin man named Sam
Heck. He's big eater, an awful liar,
and worshiper Of Bill Dale. Sam
heard my father say 1t was dangerous,
and he whispered: I'll jest sneak
through the laurels and gyard Bill
from ahind him. heard him say 1t,
Mrs. Dale.
so he went sneakin' along the foot
o. the north end o. David Moreland's
mountain, with his rifle In his hand, TO
guard your son. Bill didn't know he
was bein' followed, because Heck is as
crafty as a cat. got nervous about
Bill. so went into the laureis and fol-
lowed Sam Heck. When overlook
him, he was standin' behind clump
o. sheep laurel and lookin' toward the
river.
Il whispered, Where's BillT
"He said, BE still, Babe!' And then
he thumbed his rifles hammer back
without sound.
II looked toward the river and saw
Bill Dale a-walkin' up the nearest
bank, and / saw Black Adam slip be-
hind tree not far away. Bill saw
Adam, and he slipped behind a tree.
too. Adam shot at Bills hat and
leased Bill. Bill shot at Adams hat
and then Adam BAH jumped up groan-
in like he was done for. and fell, all a.
twistin', to the ground. But he wasn't
hit. He put mis- gun out by the tree to
kill Bill as soon as he showed himself.
1t was one o. his old tricks"
Elizabeth Littleford raised her head
slowly and went on In voice that was
much shaken:
Il had always talked against KILN,
and yet stood there and begged Sam
Heck to finish him. The rest happened
| in no time. Ball was already a-Iookin'
| along his sights. Bill Dale was nearly
out in the open. Il" she faltered, and
then came rush of words: 81 wouldn't
marry him without tellin' him, because
it wouldn't be fair to him; and If ]
told him, he-he wouldn't have me
The woman he marries mustn't be a.
a s-savage."
She stopped and stared at MRS. Dale
almost defiantly. Her head was high
and her hands were clasped in Asr LAP
so hard that they trembled.
II think you have made a mountain
out of molehill, my DEAR" the elder
woman said gently. What you die
was right, not wrong; any good woman
would have done just what you did
Elizabeth, am sure"
Elizabeth Littleford faced Mrs. Johr
K. Dale squarely. There was a strange
glow in her eyes.
but i haven't told you everything,
she murmured-"I took Sam Heck.
rifle from him. and killed Adam Bal
myself"
3. CTo BE coNTINUED)
l