The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-11-25
CHAPTER Xxx
The End Of IL All.

Vi ~ D. Il
The sun shone very brightly that
day, and the snow began to melt on
the places that were not shaded.
When he returned with Elizabeth from
the crest OF David Moreland's noun
tain, John X. Dale took a 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 Elizabeth TO him.
'Will you 60 to my son and tell him
wish to see him?. he said. And he
added under his breath: Il 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
knowi Know what? She had sud-
den wild fear that Mrs. Dale had
broken her promise never to breathe
word of the truth concerning the
Adam Ball affair. Nevertheless, she
put on her hat and her gloves and
went 10 Bill Dale'S ONCE.
| Dale sat with his elbows on his desk
| and with his head In his hands. To
4 all appearances, he was unaware of
the presence of the girl In the door
| way.
She spoke. "BHlW
He sat up straight and faced her.
He seemed surprised.
swell, Babe?"
"Your father wants you," In low
voice. He's got something to tell
you that--that will make you think
almost nothing Of mer'
Young Dale frowned. "What is it?'
I'D rather he'd tell you about it.
Bin Dale, don't think could bear
to tell you myself"
She turned and was about to hasten
away, when he called to her:
"Wait rand she waited.
"Has It." he asked. anything to do
/ with your marriage to Jimmy FayneT'
sNol"
i He arose and put on his broad
trimmed Init. sri admit" he smiled,
that I'm worse than granny woman
for poking my nose into other peoples
affairs-whe are you going to marry
Jimmy, BabeT
| The answer came quickly; Never"
"Neveri"
@Never." repeated Elizabeth, very
quietly.
"Eeverf' pursued Dale.
"Neverr cried Elizabeth, exasper-
ated.
Goodness ~ laughed Dale. You're
dramatic, or vehement. or both. May
walk home with you, Babe2"
Eyes, 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. The 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 II, Elizabeth" he re-
Quested, and she obeged. Now sill
5 down. I've got something to tell the
three of you. And ! fancy II will In
terest all of YOU"
The two who had just come in tool
chairs at the fireside. After a mo
ment, John X. Dale began:
) you've often wondered, Bill, abou
!, that savage streak--as you choose Il
!, call it--that Is In you. You inherited
! it. Much of that which we are, II /.
: claimed, is Inherited, and 1t must b,
= correct; like begets like, of course
2 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 VIII,
% mad greater love for honesty an,
u fair play. or greater hatred for al
q that Is hollow and false, or more cour
age to stick up for that which seem
10 TO be right, than you. Now Til tel
you how you came by those fine qua
Id tiles and the hot-headedness--"
nc Elizaba n Littleford sat wide-eyet
It tense, half GREATNESS. If he meant
ut tell 1t, why didn't ne tell It'll why al
he beat about the bush like thatf
be @Bill, this liz hard for me. II bring
Isl back terrible thing. You know abor
H. David Moeland. :. When awok
be that morning and found him Iyin
Ell ! dead at my cssse4 drunken hands.