Cleveland County herald., 1921-09-29
CHAPTER xV.
Tried

in court at Gainesville, the new Eliza beth Littleford alighted from an after noon train at the Halfway switch. She was dressed in a smart and neatly fitting suit of dark blue, with lacey white at her throat and at her wrists she wore 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.
 A 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 her
 Bill Dale" she cried joyously above the roar of the passing train. Bill Dale, it's you!"
 Sure, it's mel" laughed Dale. How seod you look I can hardly believe it's you.'
 But it is," she smiled "TeIl me what do you think the outcome O your trial is going to be?'
 Dale noted that her English had im- proved, and it was gratifying to him. As for the trial
 "I don't know" he said. But Ma jor 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 case; and Ee intimated that I would stand bet ter chance of aequittal than anybody else would stand, and that if I re- eeived q sentence the right man would come forward with a confes- sion. l have an idea that By Heck himself killed Adam Ball-that is, if didn't do it."
 And Cafe Moreland-wasn't it fine for him to do what he done for you. Bill Dale? How are you gettin along with the mine?"
 First rate" Dale answered. bright ening at once. Were shipping now. And we're getting a smashing price for every ounce of it.''
 'i see, said the young woman. He went on:
 "All of the boys and girls of the Merelands, except the very little ones, are in school at Cartersvlle. and they're learning fast. When our bor- rowed capital is paid back, the More land families are going to buy farms lyiug near Cartersville and go to them. A big lowland farm close to good schools and a good little town-well, there are worse places on earth. Pity poor David Moreland can't know about it.'
 "Td say,"
 She hung her head She was think ing. as she had so often thought be- fore, of her own benighted people.
 And the Littlefords?' she mur- mured. It had slipped past her lips Dale and the Morelands owed the Lit tlefords nothing.
 Dale understood and he gave her sympathetic glance.
 "A few of the boys and girls of the isittlefords are going to school in Car tersville. perhaps one from each fam ily," he told her. Ut is rather eX- pensive, you know. on account of the boarding, and they can't afford to send all their children. However, I think-ultimately- people will have their chance for education, too"
 But it won't do much good to edu- cate one out O each family" said Eliz- abetA. ''1heyd come straight back here when they got through with their schoolin, and soon fo'git-1 Nean for get!-it all. If they make ther learn in pay 'em anything, they'll have to stay where they can use it."
 She began to stare absently toward her well-shod feet.
 Are you ready to go%' Dale asked.
 Elizabeth Littleford raised her head with . slight jerk and said ra<her awk- wardly:
 Has the valley changed much?'
 Not very much" answered Dale. "There's new log church, where an old minister named Ashby Cross preaches the gospel of straight walk ing and human kindliness every Sun day. Henderson Golf isn't here any more, but he sent me his address in case We wanted to sell the mine The Torreys have gone back, to Jerusalem cove and Hatton's hell, 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 Moreiand'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 long, moss-covered slab of brown sandstone.
 Lets sit down there and rest" he suggested You're tired, Babe, know. Don't mind my calling you Babe do your
 She looked at him as though she were surprised at his asking that. They sat down.
 Bill Dale suddenly leaned toward her and took one of her hands; and he didn't take it as Jimmy Payne had