Taiban Valley news., 1921-11-11


was on the long siding, waiting for the
south bound to pass. Dale gave his
end Of the litter to Caleb Moreland
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. 1t was against rules. Dale
swore at 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, land take her to Barton's
station. There's a good doctor at Bar
TOMS"
"But this is a case for a surgeon y
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 a doctor and a sur
geon, anyway
Dale became angry.
You'll stop the fast mail for u.s."
he snapped, "or Wen take your id
red flag and hold her up long enough
to put the girl aboard, and you've got
only half second to decide which I"
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 I'D the
tracks, the sound Of the fast trains
whistle came to their ears.
The filer came to a screeching halt
with sparks streaming from its wheels.
Bill Dale and John Moreland passed
the litter and its burden into the bag
gage car and followed 1t hastily, and
Ben Littleford climbed in after them.
John Moreland leaned out of the door
way and ordered his son Luke to pass
him his rifle, and Luke obeyed
promptly.
and the brakes were 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 eve
and patted the walnut stock of his
repeater.
"Oh, l jest brought 1t along to see
at everybody has 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 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
"; "Mr. -"
"Dale."
The two nodded, and the physician
Snelt beside the litter, which had been
placed with its ends on boxes to allow
he center to swing free. He made as
thorough an examination as was pos
'ible under the conditions, then arose
ind stood looking down upon the
voung woman with something like ad-
in his sober, professional
yes.
Perfect physique" he said as
hOugh to himself. "She will
AVE to undergo an operation" he told
Dale. THE bone there is broken in
lightly, making a compression; she
will doubtless be unconscious until the
ressure is relieved. But she has fine
hances for quick and entire recov-
ry, with good surgeon on the job.
o there's not much ground for worry"
Dale was glad. They were all glad
len Littleford laughed nervously in
is sudden joy. lie went down to his
nees beside his daughter, took up
he Vi Her imp minus anu SCrOkeu IL
4 way that was pitiful.
When he arose he spoke cordially
D Moreland. But Moreland didn't re-
ly. He still looked upon his old en-
my with contempt.
Doctor Mckenzie was leaving the
'ain at the next town of importance,
nd he would wire Doctor Braemer to
leet them with an ambulance, II Dale
'ished.
IF you please" said Dale.
They reached the city shortly before
idnight, and were promptly met by
lie surgeon. Braemer took charge of
lie patient, put her into his ambu- (
nee and hurried her to his private
Ospital. Bill Dale and the two clan {
liefs followed in an automobile. The [
LINEN had never before seen an au- '
but they asked no questions I
bout it, and the only word of COM [
ent was this, from John Moreland:
II don't like the SMELL" s
Everything had been made ready for /
e operation, and Babe received sur J
cal aid without delay. |
The two mountaineers and Dale S
aited in another room. Dale had in v