The Ordway new era., 1921-09-30

there in the dining room of the Blais-
dell, they drank the water from their
| tingerbowls, threatened with sudden
death the walter who snickered, and
| found the way to the lobby.
To Littleford the minutes dragged
soddenly. Finally he told Moreland
in II sentence filled with double mega
tives, that he could bear the suspense
no longer, and proposed that they set
out at once for Doctor Braemer's hos
pital. The hotel manager overheard
some of the one-sided conversation; !;
he phoned the surgeon and learned
that the young woman was resting
easily, which Information he passed
on to the mountain men.
| Ben Littleford was quiet for five
minutes, more or less. Then he again
proposed to John Moreland that they
| 90 to the hospital to see Babe. More
| land refused fatty, and accompanied
| his refusal with an unmistaknble look
| of contempt.
You're as restless us dawg in a
rea town." he told his old enemy, and
with that he walked away.
| A few minutes later Ben LIttleford
stole out unnoticed by his neighbor
fro'u tNe Big tine, and went at brisk
ga-t " tho street. Moreland found it
out shortly afterward; he followed the
Littleford chief hotfoot, and overlook
him. Trust your hill dweiler to note
landmarks when he goes into unknown
territory - Littleford was headed
straight for the hospital.
They walked for two blocks in ST.
lence. MOreland had assumed the at
titude of one who has had the guard
ianship of an irresponsible person
thrust upon him. But soon he soft
ened somewhat.
II shore cain't understand, Ben he
drawled, how Bin Dale ever could
bear it TO live here"
Il wonder" Littleford said absent
mindedly, as though he had not heard,
''whar Bill Dale is atY It's mighty
burned lonesome without him, ain't 1t?
That was good ham we had for break
fus', John"
ut wasn't ham. 1t was beef
1T was ham,
1T was beef"
1t was ha-"
Don't ye reckon" fiared John More
land, that l know a dang cows meat
when l see it; 1t was beef!''
They had halted in the middle of
stream of pedestrians. A policeman
crowded his way to them.
Move on" he growled.
Bill Dale was at that moment enter
ing the lobby of the Blaisdell with
Robert McLaurin at his side. Dale
had just told Mclaurin that he meant
to go to Cincinnati to borrow money
from his wealthy friend Harris. Then
McLaurin told Dale something that
saved him the journey to Cincinnati.
You haven't heard about Harris,
Bill? I'm sorry, because he would
have accommodated you. He went
broke few days ago in the cotton
smash. He was here yesterday, and
left last night for Cincy.'
Dale did not try to conceal his sur
prise and disappointment. Harris, for
all his youth, had been business mar
vel.
ri have to try somebody here, /
guess. But l won't take it from IA
ther-mother wouldn't permit 1t, any
way, If she knew-and there are sew
eral other reasons. Queer how fel-
lows mother would turn him down
like this! Usually, y'know. its fel-
lows mother that sticks by him the |
longest
Il wonder where 1 could find old
Newton Wheatiey, of the Luther
Wheatley Iron companyl 1 know him, |
all right He always liked me, Bobby"
You'll find him at home" McLaurin |
answered. He's out of business. and |
here all the time now. He might take |
shot at coal. Why not phone him
from here?"
III do that" Dale decided. Look |
up my two friends for me, Bobby, will |
your"
He was soon speaking to Newton |
Wheatley. He was brief in stating his
wishes. 10 the question as to why he |
did not go to his father for funds
well, he had his reasons, and it was
rather private matter. Wheat!ey. of |
course, remembered the near-wedding.
The old iron man was silent for
what seemed to Dale very long time.
Then his voice came over the wire
with an almost ominous calm:
who besides you has seen this vein,
Carlyle? Anybody that knows coal?"
Yes, my father" Dale answered
quickly. He went over it years ago.
Ask him about the coal in David More
lands mountain. Phone him, and then
phone me. I'm waiting at the Blais-
dell"
Wheatley agreed little reluctantly.
Dale waited patiently for fifteen
minutes. Then the clerk called him
to the phone. He took up the receiver
with bOyish eagerness.
Wheatley began cordially your fa-