The Ordway new era., 1921-09-23


fast mail. A short passenger train
was on the long siding, waiting for the
south bound to pass. Dale gave his
end of the litter. to Caleb Moreiand
and strode up to the locomotive. The
engineer sat quietly smoking in his
| cab.
Dale wanted the fast mail stopped
and gave his reasons.
The engineer smoked and consid-
cred. Ii was against rules. Dale
swore al rules. The engineer said he
would see the conductor. He did, and
the conductor stepped to the ground
and began to consider.
Better put her on my train he
said finally, and take her 10 Barton's
station. There's a good doctor at Bar
| TOMS"
But this is case for surgeon !"
impatiently interrupted Bill Dale.
They disagreed. The old trainman
was close friend of the doctor at
Barton's station. What was the diff
ference between doctor and sur
geon. anyway?
Dale became angry.
You'll stop the fast mail for u.s."
he snapped, "or We'll take your id
red flag and hold her up long enough
\ 10 put the girl aboard, and you've goJ
/ only half n second to decide which -
| The conductor was obdurate. The
mountain men were too hot-headed to
bear with him longer. The positions
of a dozen rifles underwent a sudden
| change. The conductor Immediately
went pale and mentioned the law
| but he agreed to stop the southbound.
AS he ordered his fiagman up the
| tracks, the sound of the fast trains
whistle came to their ears.
The fiier came TO screechng halt
with sparks streaming from its wheels.
Bill Dale and John Moreland passed
the litter and its burden into the bag
| gage ear and followed it hastily. and
Ben Littleford climbed in after them.
1 John Moreland leaned out of the door
way and ordered his son Luke to pass
him his rife, and Luke obeyed
promptly.
There was a shrek from the whistle
and the brakes We're released; the
train began to gather momentum. A
baggageman approached John More
land and asked why the rifle. More
land half closed one keen grey eye
and patted the walnut stock of his
repeater.
"Oh, l jest brought it along to see
at everybody has a straight deal" he
drawled-"go on about yore business,
mister"
The baggageman went about his
business.
The conductor of the fast train was
very unlike the conductor of the north
bound. When he had learned some
thing of the circumstances, he insinu
ated that Dale had done exactly the
right thing. He would see whether
there was a doctor aboard.
Within five more minutes he re-
turned in company with an elderly
man wearing pointed beard and nose
glasses.
'"Doctor Mckenzie" he said polite
ly; MIR. -"
Dale"
The two nodded. and the physician
knelt beside the litter, which had been
placed with its ends on boxes to allow
the center to swing free. He made as
tbOiohSil us vas Boo-
Sible under the conditions then arose
and stood looking down upon the
young woman with something like ad-
miration in his sober, professional
eyes
Perfect physique" he said as
though to himself. "She will
have to undergo an operation" he told
Dale. The bone there is broken in
slightly, making compression she
| Will doubtless be unconscious until the
pressure is relieved. But she has fine
chances for quick and entire recov-
cry, with a good surgeon on the job.
so there's not much ground for worry"
Dale was glad. They were all glad.
Ben Littleford laughed nervously in
his sudden joy. He went down to his
knees beside his daughter, took up
one of her limp hands and stroked 1t
In way that was pitiful.
When he arose he spoke cordially
to Moreland. But Moreland didn't re-
ply. He still looked upon his old en-
emy with contempt.
| Doctor Mckenzie was leaving the
train at the next town of importance,
and he would wire Doctor Braemer to
meet them with an ambulance, If Dale
| wished.
IF you please" said Dale.
They reached the city shortly before
midnight, and were promptly met by
| the surgeon. Braemer took charge of
the patient, put her into his ambu-
lance and hurried her to his private
hospital. Bill Dale and the two clan
chiefs followed in an automobile. The
hillmen had never before seen an au-
tomobile; but they asked no questions
about 1t, and the only word of COM
ment was this, from John Moreland :
II don't like the SMELL"
EyervthinU had hoon mo do roady ror