Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1921-07-21

feet, and you can go to sleep at the
table. Don't fail us. Pat wants to
thank you for casting her aside at
the altar"
Dale laughed boyishly. McLaurin
went on:
There's more news. Your father
has been trying hard to find you. He
sent a man to Atlanta to look for you.
He told me he'd give me a house and
lot II I'D ind you-and II there was
little more OF the highway robber in
me. I'd call his hand"
"And mother-have you seen herr
Dale muttered.
ave seen her twice since the near
wedding"
ibid she have anything to say about
mel Tell me the whole truth, Bobby.
l can take 1t. old man. I'm big enough"
McLaurin frowned. "Since you've
asked me. BILL your MOTHER over
heard her telling your father that she
would never forgive you for the ut
terly shameless, disgraceful scene you
made in church."
II see," said Dale. He frightened
and went on, "As soon as can get my
two friends down to the dining room,
Bobby, you're going with me to father.
We're going to claim that house and
lot for you"
"FOr Patricia's sake, I've a thunder
ing big notion to take you up" laughed
McLaurln. "YOur dad would never
miss It."
that's It--take me up for Pats
sake" said Dale, rising. you'd be
foolish II you didn't. You should be
willing to do anything, almost, for Pat.
She's jewel. Bobby"
Half an hour later they caught
passing car that soon carried them to
a palace Of granite and stone and
cream-c olored brick-the home Of the
old coal king, John X. Dale.
At the wide front gateway young
Dale drew back.
"Bring father out here" he said in
low voice. From what you told me,
guess mother wouldn't want me to
come In. But you can find out about
that"
He hoped his mother would want to
see him. While she had never seemed
to care for him as other mothers cared
for their boys; while she hadn't been
quite so dear to him as she might have
been
"And If she vents to see me. Bobby,
let me know"
McLaurin smiled somewhat wOr-
ried smile, and went up to the front
door. A moment later he was shown
in. Yet another moment and John X.
Dale, his ford face beaming with
gladness, fastened out to the gateway.
Young Dale was instantly touched by
his fathers new attitude toward him;
then he remembered the long night Of
David Moreland's people. and he stiff
fened little and drew back a pace.
you've come home to stay, haven't
you, CarlyIeY said the older man, and
his voice was filled with pleading.
what you did is all right; wen never
mention 1t again. You'll stay, won't
you, Carlyle, my bOyl"
mo- answered the son, trifle cold
" in spite Of himself. 1--WE spent all
the idle, useless years I'll ever spend.
I'm getting ready to develop the coal
In David Moreland's mountain"
"David-Moreland's -mountain !"
The retired coal magnate breathed
the three words in husky tone. He
put forth hand and rested It against
one OF the huge stone gateposts, as
though to steady himself. and some Of |
the color went from his face.
"You say David Moreiand's noun ,
tain. CarlyleI" 1erkily.
'Yes."
-And yon-you learned about David
MorelandT
"Yes." Bill Dale folded his arms
and stood there looking at his father
with eyes that accused.
"You know who killed himr' old
Dale muttered.
Il do, and it was 4 shame-a black
shame"
eyes, 1t was q shame. Nobody knows
that half SO well as know It" said
John X. Dale. His mouth QuIvered.
He looked downward, looked up again.
"SOn, you can never say or think worse
things about me than l have said and
thought about myself because Of
that"
Dale the younger glanced toward
the house. Robert McLaurin was COM
ing slowly down the veranda steps
Mrs. Dale was nowhere II sight. She
didn't want to see her son; she didn't
even want him In the house. BlIl Dale
read II all In his friends downcast
and II was somehow
great disappointment.
~You'n need money II you're going
to develop that coal property" Dale
the elder was saying ''YOu haven't
any money, and those mountain fclh
haven't any. I'll give you all that's
needed. IN send You mining machih,
cry, and expert mining men; Tll--"
She turnsd her face che eth
h ~ rwnw ~ vsna Al lonmaauna.