The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-10-07

the altar?
Dale laughed boylshly. McLaurin
went Oh:
There's more news. Your father
has been trying hard to find you. liz
sent q man to Atlanta TO look for you.
He told me he'd give me a house and
lot If I'd find you-and if there was a
little more Of the highway robber In
me, I'd call his hand!'
and mother-have you seen herr
Dale muttered.
I've seen her twice since the near
wedding"
Did she have anything to say about
me? Tell me the whole truth, Bobby.
l can take 1t, old 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, d~isgraceful scene you
made in church."
II See" said Dale. He frightened
and e. on, LAS oon as | can get my
two friends down TO the dining room,
A'Opbg, SOu IL SOAAS AbC W -
We're going TO claim that house ana
lot for YOU"
For Patricia'S sake, I've a 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
c~ream-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
a low voice. From what you told me,
| guess mother wouldn't want me to
come In. But you can find out about
that"
lie 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 gee 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 ford face beaming with
~gladneSs, fastened out to the gateway.
Young Dale was instantly touched by
his fathers new attitude toward him f.;
then he remembered the long night of
David Moreland's people, and he stiff
fened a little and drew back a pace.
you've come HON to stay, haven't
you, Carlyle?' said the older nan and
his voice was filled with pleading.
what you did Is all right; we'n never
mention it again. You'll stay, won't
you, Carlyle, my boy?"
NO" answered the son, a trifie 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 I"
The retired coal magnate breathed
the three words in a husky tone. He
me 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
Morelandf'
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 g shame. Nobody knows
that half so we'll 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 han l have said and
thought about myself-bccause 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 didnt
even want him in the house. Bill Dole
read it all In his friends downcast
countenance, and ii was somehow o
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 al that's
needed. I'll send you mining Nachin-
cry, and expert mining men ~"