Cleveland County herald., 1921-08-04

1 feet, and you can go to sleep at the table. Don't fail us. Pat wants to thank you for casting her aside at the altar"
 Dale laughed boyishly. McLaurin went oni
 There's more news. Your father has been trying hard to find you. He sent man to Atlanta to look for you. He told me he'd give me house and lot if I'd find you-and if there was little more of the highway robber in me, I'd call his hand !'
 And mother-have you seen her?" Dale muttered.
 "Pve seen her twice since the near wedding
 Did she have anything to say about me? Tell me the whole truth, Bobby. l can take it, old man. Pm big enough"
 McLaurin drowned. Since you've asked me, Bill, your mother--I over heard her telling your father that she would never forgive you for the ut terly shameless, disgracefuI scene you made in church"
 "I 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 Patrieia's sake, I've a thunder ing big notion to take you up" laughed MeLaurin. Your dad would never miss it."
 'Thats it-take me up for Pats sake" said Dale, rising. You'd be foolish if you didn't. You should be willing to do anything almost, for Pat. She's a jewel, Bobby"
 Half an hour later they caught T passing car that soon carried them to a palace of granite and stone and cream-colored brick-the home Of the old coal king, John K. Dale.
 At the wide front gateway young Dale drew back.
 Bring father out here," he said in a low voice. "From what you told me. l 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 k Dale, his tiorid face beaming with gladness, hastened out to the gateway. Young Dale was instantly touched by his fathers new attitude toward him i; David Morelands people, and he stiff fened 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; we'll never mention it again. You'll stay, won't you, Carlyle, my boy?"
 No" answered the son, a trihe cold ly in spite of himself. i've spent all the idle, useless years I'll ever spend Pm getting ready to develop the coal in David Moreland's mountain"
 "David-Moreland'S !''
 The retired coal magnate breathed the three words in a husky tone. He put forth hand and rested it against one of the huge stone gatepOsts, as though to steady himself, and some of the color went from his face.
 You say David Moreland's noun tain, Carlyle?" jerkily.
 "Yes''
 And you-you learned about David MorelandY'
 "Yes" Bill Dale folded his arms and stood there looking at his father with eyes that accused.
 You know who killed him?" old Dale muttered.
 "I do, and it was a shame-a black shame"
 "Yes, it was a shame. Nobody knows that half so well as 1 know it." said John K. Dale. His mouth quivered. He looked downward, looked up again. ''Son, you can never say or think worse things about me than 1 have said and thought about myself-because of that"
 Dale the younger glanced toward the house. Robert McLaurin was com ing slowly down the veranda steps. Mrs. Dale was nowhere in sight She didn't want to see her son; she didn't even want him in the house. Bill Dale read it all in his friends downcast countenance, and it was somehow a great disappointment.
 You'll need money if you're going to develop that coal property" Dale the elder was saying. You haven't any money, and those mountain folk haven't any. I'll give you all that's needed. I'll send you mining machin-