The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1921-09-02


room.
Bill Dale sat beside his father ant
talked OF nothing but coal velns--bll
and little coal veins, long and short
broad and narrow, deep and shallow
blue and black coal veins. Babe Lit
tleford, who wouldn't marry him, who
had come back 10 the hills 10 tortur,
him with a beauty that he had never
believed possible In any woman
shouldn't know that he was ever
thinking OF her!
He talked coal with his father until
bedtime, and he was wiser in the ways
of the black diamond when nine
o'clock came. After Ben LittleforC
had haltingly conducted family pray
ers--and In this he mentioned even
the Balls. Turner's and Torreys-Bill
Dale babe them all good night and
started for his Office 10 sleep. rolled In
blanket ON the floor. There was a
lack Of beds at Ben Llttleford's that
night.
A little later, John Moreland drew
old Ben out 10 the cabin yard. The
skies were clear. and the moon was
shining brightly; everywhere there
was beauty and peacefulness.
Ben" softly, "Tve got TO bother We
a minute, as late as II is. ! wanted We
10 find me hammer and n chisel and
lantern"
oil taAf AZ. .
In the house" replied Llttleford. But
what'n the name o. Torment aud
thunderation do We want with n ham.
mer and n chisel and = lantern, John,
old frlendi"
The answer came straightforwardly
II was the Moreland way.
I'm a-goin' mp thar 10 whar pore
David he's buried at, and cut of some
them letters OMEN the stone, Ben. ]
CANT sleep ontel it's done. You can
guess what part I'm a-goln' to cut on,
CANT ye1"
yes" said Llttleford Babe told
NE about what happened up thar
sfors dark. And I'm pow'ful glad
ye're ag0in' 10 do IL, John, ole
friend"
He went with Morelsnd TO the little
enclosure on the highest point OF
David Moreland's mountain. He held
the lighted lantern while Moreland
worked They were there for hours
Whea the work was finished David
NOrelands brother arose from his
knees in the snow, put the hammes
and the chlsel into his pocket, and
spread open his cold, cramped cngers
"Ef David could know" he said
wenrily. Il believe he'd be glad at
] done II. Anyway, 1t makes me feel
better
Ken I.ittleford put big hand on
John Moreland's shoulder.
Yes" he agreed. "ef David could
know about il, he'd he glad at ye done
II, John. The hain't no doubt o that
And who can cay he don't know about
III"
Elizabeth learned of IL early on the
following morning. When breakfast
was over she whispered 10 John X
Dale that there WAS something she
had 10 show him. She wouldn't tell
him anything In advance. so he went
Win her 10 see FOR himself.
when at last they stood inside the
Wealherbeaten pallngs, Elizabeth
pointed and said.
Look there. and thank God !"
Dale looked and saw. The color left
his face. then came back. He shut his
eyes. swayed little on his feet, op
ened his eyes. looked and saw again
He turned 10 the young woman with
great JOY shining ON his face,
Il haven't been so glad" he told
her. FOR twenty-five years"
The chiSeliug away Of the lower five
lines had not only obliterated The
curse it had left an almost perfect
cross Then John Moreland's bare
cold and llrelrsS hands had gone e
work and made Il. IN every respect, o
perfect cross.