Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-08-11

terry shameless. disgrucetuI scene you
made in church"
Il see" said Dale. lie Frightened
and went on, As soon rs I 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 q thunder
ing big notion to take you up" laughed
McLaurin. your dad would never
miss IT,"
That's it-take me up for Pats
sake" said Dale. rising. You'd be
foolish if you didn't. You should be
willing to do anything. almost, for Pat
She's a jewel. Bobby"
Half an hour later they caught n
passing car that soon carried them 10
a palace or granite and stone and
cream-cOlOred brick-the home Of tha
old coal king John X. Dale.
At the wide front gateway young
Dale drew back.
bring father out here" he said in
a low voice. From what you told me,
| guess mother wouldn't want me to
come in. But you can lind 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 a 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 tiOrid 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 a little and drew back pace.
you've come home to stay. haven't
you, Carlye?" said the older man, and
his voice was filed with pleading.
What you did Is all right Wen never
mention 1t again. You'll stay, went
you, CdIlyle, my UOy
NO" answered the son, a trit1e Colo
ly in spite of himself. i've spent all
the idle, useless years I'll ever spend.
I'm getting ready to develop the coal
in David MOrelands mountain"
"David--MOrelands -mOuntain! ~
The retired coal magnate breathed
the three words in a husky tone. He
one of the huge stone gateposts, as
though to steady himself, and some OF
, the color went from his face.
"You say David MOreland's noun
tain, Carlyle?" jerkily.
YES"
And you-you learned about David
MOreland|
Yes" Bill Dale folded his arms
and stood there looking at his father
with eyes that accused.
you know who killed him?" old
Dale muttered.
81 do, and it was a shame-a black
shame"
YES it was a shame. Nobody knows
that half so we'll as | know it," said
John X. Dale. His mouth Guivered.
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 in sight. She
didn't want to see her son; she didn't
even want him in the house. BIZ Dale
read it all in his friends dOWncast
countenance, and it was somehow
great disappointment.
You'll need money if you're going
to develop that coal property" Dale
the elder was saying. You haven't
any money, and those mountain folk
haven't any. I'll give you all that's
needed. III send you mining machin-
cry, and expert mining men; Ill"