The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1921-07-22


table. Don't fail us. Pat wants to
thank you for casting her aside at
the altar"
Dale laughed boyishly. McLaurin
went n
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 Id find yOu-and II there was q
little more Of the highway rObber in
me, I'd call his handY"
And mother-have you seen herr
Dale muttered.
1--WE cen her twice since the near.
wedding"
did she have anything to say about
met Tell me the whole truth, Bobby.
l can tax 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 v forgive you for the ut
terly shameless, d~isgraceful scene you
made In church."
Il see," said Dale. He frightened
and went on, "As soon as l can get my
two friends down to the dining room.
Bobby. you're going with me to father.
We're goinE 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 a
passing car that soon carried them to
a palace of granite and stone and
cream-colored 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
q 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
let me know"
McLaurin smiled q somewhat wor-
ried smile, and went up to the front
door. A moment later he was shown
In. Yet another moment, and John K.
Dale, his fiorid face beaming with
gIadness, fastened out to the gateway.
Young Dale was instantly touched by
his fathers new attitude toward him
then he remembered the long night of
Moreland's people. and he stiff
fened a little and drew back a pace.
you've come home to stay. haven't
you, Carlyle?" said the older man, and
his voice was filled with pleading.
What you did is all right; well never
it again. You'll stay. won't
you, Carlyle, my boy?"
aNo," answered the son, a trifle cold
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 MOreland's mountain"
observation-disclosures !"
The retired coal magnate breathed
the three words in a husky tone. He
put forth q hand and rested it against
Of the huge stone gatepOsts, as
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
sYes." 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 q shame-a black
shame"
Yes, it was a shame. Nobody knows
hat half so well as I know It," said
JO0n n. OdIe. IlS mOuIu QulNcIcu'
He looked downward, looked up again.
Son, you can never say or think worse
.hings about me than l have a and
about myself-because OF
Dale the younger glanced toward
he house. Robert McLaurin was COM
ng slowly down the veranda steps.
Mrs. Dale was nowhere In sight. She
iidn't want to see her son; she didn't
want him In the house. Bill Dale
'ead it ell In his friends downcast
.ountenance, and it was somehow q
,reat disappointment.
You'll need money II you're going
o develop that coal property" Dale
ne elder was saying. you haven't
my money, and those mountain folk
any. I'll give you all that's
I'll send you mining machin'