The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1921-08-03

the chancel in big crowded church
that fully realized the tragedy OF 1t
for Pat. ! saw that her face was a
clean white. and that her eyes held
the shadow .of something that was
very terrible. ! turned my head and
saw the same shadow in the eyes of
my greatest friend. Bobby McLaurin.
| knew then. Bobby and Patricia loved
each other. John Moreland Bobby
didn't have any money TO speak of,
and that had held them apart.
"It had been The finest thing in the
world. Mcl.aurin's acting as best man
for me. There was friendship for you
| couldn't take from them their one
chance OF happiness. -.
Il couldnt see anything else to do.
so | ran. went home. pulled off my
wedding rig and put on the clothes
I'm wearing now, threw some things
into bag and hurried down 10 the
union station. found thar ! could
have my choice between fier for
Atlanta and the - the train that
brought me here. bought passage to
atlanta. but | never meant 10 use IL;
! meant to take the other train and
pay a cash fare. In doing that.
hoped 10 lose myself from them. l
wanted 10 go unhindered To some
country who're wouldn't he consid-
cred a-a savage, y'know.
II Went out To the rain-Shed, and
4 E.tfl ri
Bobby McLaurln came. | asked him
how he knew where 10 find me- lie
said
IL thought you wouldn't care 10
stay here after doing what you did,
and ! wanted TO say good-by. Bill He
always called me that, and il made
me feel like man. Then | put my
bag down and took him by both shout
ders and told him this:
Look here, Bobby, I'm going TO
give you some advice. and you take
H. You steal Pat and marry her. Steal
Pat and marry her If you have to live
in a hole In a hillside. You're as good
as any OF them, and lots better than
most OF them. You can work your way
10 a better salary. You see.' told
him, we get about what we deserve
in this world. Most OF us don't deserve
much
Il asked him IL mother was badly
cut up. He said she was THAI she had
famed. Dad swore aloud. he said,
there in church. | told Bobby good-by
and got aboard the train without say
Ing anything about where | was go-
ing-but | didn't know myself where
l was going, al the time.
Now you've heard it, Every word
was truth. If you'll trust me with the
coal. III make this land my land your
people my people. III suffer with you
when you suffer, and be happy with
you when you're happy; and when you
fight, I'll fight with you"
The Moreland chief arose, and Bill
Dale arose. The hiliman put out his
hand. and Dale grlpped IL.
II believe in We. Bill" said John
Moreland. "Fo' another thing. I've
seed We fight. You can work the coal"
He looked toward the closed inner
door and called, "Oh, Addie; you and
the boys can come back now"
Out OF the night face appeared at
one OF the small windows. II was q
feminine face and handsome rather
than pretty. Two slender, sunburned
hands gripped the window-ledge nerv
ously. The face pressed closer TO the
glass. then disappeared. Soon after
ward the outer door OF the guests
room opened. and Ben Littleford's
daughter entered. Her skirts were
dripping wet.
Mrs Mofelaud arose and went to-
ward the young woman. She knew
that only something of great impor-
lance could bring a Littleford into her
home in this fashion.
-What's the matter. Babe?"
Babe Littleford gave no attention
TO Mrs. Moreland. she went on 10
Bill Dale, walking softly on bare feet.
BLACK Adam is a-goin to kill you
tonight, Bill Dale"
THAT sor' Dale's smile was rather
grim. How did you find that out
Miss Littleford?"
II found II out. all right. AS he
went or from the river this mornin,
l made fun OF him; and he patted tho
stock Of his rife and said he'd git you
through window He was at our
house this evenin' to help az pap's
gun. and when he left he started this
way. a-goin' by the blowed-down sycs-
more ] ~aded the river ut Five Cal