The Pulaskian., 1921-10-27
CHAPTER xV.
- ried.

noon train at the Halfway switch. She was dressed in smart and neatly fitting suit Of dark blue. with lacey white at her throat and at her wrists ; she wore q hat of dark blue relieved by touch of white. In one of her strong and well-shaped. gloved hands she carried travelling bag of black leather.
 4 big and sunburned young man in boots and corduroys hastened to her. He raised his broad-rimmed hat, smiled. took the bag, and pressed her hand as though he was very glad to see iler.
 "Bin Dale" she cried joyously above the roar of the passing train. Bill Dale, it's youp'
 ''Sure, it's me" laughed Dale. "How good you look can hardly believe it's you.''
 'But it is" she smiled. "Tei me what do you think the outcome O your trial Is going to be?'
 Dale noted that her English had i'm proved. and il was gratifying to him. As for the trial--a
 'f don't know" he said. "Dut Ma 1or Bradley thinks I'll come clear. He believes that somebody that was hid den on the moutainside above us shot Ball to save me. By Heck hinted that he knew that this was the ease; and he intimated that I would stand bet ter chance of acquittal than anybody else would stand and that if I re- ceived a sentence the right man would come forward With confes- sion. have an .dea that By Heck himself killed Adam Ball-that is, if didn't do It."
 And Cafe Moreland---wasnt it fine for him to do what he done for you. BIli Dale? How are you gettin' along with the miner
 First rate." Dale answered, bright enfng at once. Were shipping now. And we're getting smashing price for every ounce Of it.'
 "I see" said the young woman. He went on:
 "All of the boys and girls of the Merchants, except the very little ones, are in school at Cartersville. and they're learning fast. When our bor- rewed capital is paid back. the More iand families are going to buy farms lying near Gainesville and go to them. A big lowland farm close to good schools and good little town--well. there are worse places on earth. Pity poor David Moreland can't know about its'
 sT'd say!''
 She hung her head. She was think ing, as she had so often thought be- fore. of her own benighted people.
 "And the I.ittlefords?" sine mur- mured. It had slipped past her lips. Daie and the Morelands owed the Lit tlefords nothing.
 Dale understood and he gave her sympathetic glance.
 "A few of the boys and girls of tine Littlefords are going to school In Car tcrsville, perhaps one from each fam iiy," he told her. Tt is rather ex- pensivc. you know. on account of the boarding, and they can't afford to send all thei: children. However, l k-ultimately-your people will have their chance for education, too"
 'But II won't do much good to edu- cate one out O each family" said Eliz- abeth. They'd come straight back here when they got through with their schooln', and soon fo'gt-I mean for get Lit all. If they make their learn sn' pay cm anything, they'll have to stay where they can use it."
 She began to stare absently toward her wcll-shod feet.
 Are you ready to go?" Dale asked,
 Elizabeth Littleford raised her head with slight jerk and said rather awk- wardly:
 "llas tie valley changed much?"
 Mot very mueh." answered Dale. 1Thore's q new log church, where an old minister named Ashby Cross prcaches the gospel of straight walk ing and human kndliness every Sun day. Henderson Golf isn't here any more. but he sent me his address ill case we wanted to sell the mine! The Torreys have gone back to Jerusalem cove and uattons nell, and the Balls
 
 are as quiet as mice. These, believe, are all the changes worth mentioning"
 Together they set out and walked, without saying much. to the crest of David Moreland's mountain, and there they halted. The autumn sun, great red ball of fire, was just setting beyond the majestic Big Pine.
 Dale pointed to a long, moss-covered slab of brown sandstone.
 Lets sit down there and rest.' he suggested. You're tired, Babe, l know. Don't mind my calling you -Bahe,' do your
 She 'ooked at him as though she were SUI prised at his asking that. They sat down.
 Bill Dale suddenly leaned toward her and teoll one of her hands; and he