The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-07-21
CHAPTER VI.
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aCrOSS baVlQ M0refand'S mountain to
intercept the next south-bound train,
The old enmity was for the time being
forgotten. Members of one clan
rubbed elbows with members OF the
other clan, and thought nothing of 1t.
John Moreland himself carried one
end Of the crude litter that held the
limp form Of Babe Littleford; BIZ
Dale carried the other end.
Close behind the litter walked Babes
father, seeming old and broken with
remorse for the thing he had done.
The grief of Ben Littleford was touch
Ing now, and Dale was little sorry
that he had spoken so bitterly to him.
They reached the Halfway switch
ten minutes before the arrival of the
fast mail. A short passenger train
was on the long siding, waiting for the
south bound to pass. Dale gave his
emu of the litter to Caleb Moreland.
and strobe up to the locomotive. The
engineer sat quietly smoking in his
cab.
Dale wanted the fast mail stopped,
and gave his reasons.
The engineer smoked and consid-
swore at rules. The engineer said he
would see the conductor. He did, and
the conductor stepped to the grousd
and began to consider.
Better put her on my train" he
said finally, land take her to Barton's
station. There's good doctor at Bar.
TOMS"
But this is case for surgeon -
impatiently interrupted Bill Dale.
They disagreed. The old trainmun
was close friend. of the doctor mt
Barton's station. What was the diff
ference between a doctor and a sur.
geon, anyway?
Dale became angry.
You'll stop the fast mail for u.s."
ne snapped, ''or Wen take your ID
red flag and hold her up long enough
to put the girl aboard, and you've got
only half a second to decide whichv'
The conductor was obdurate. The
mountain men were too hot-headed to
bear with him longer. The positions
OF dozen rifles underwent sudden
change. The conductor immediately
went pale and mentioned the law
but he agreed to stop the southbound
AS he ordered his tiagman up the
tracks, the sound of the fast trains
whistle came to their ears.
The fiier came to q screening halt
with sparks streaming from it's wheels
Bill Dale and John Moreland passed
the litter and Its burden into the bag.
gage car and followed II hastily and
Ben Littleford climbed in after them
John MOreland leaned out of the door
way and ordered his son Luke to pass
him his rifle, and Luke obeyed
promptly.
There was shrek from the whistle.
and the brakes were released; the
train began to gather momentum. A
baggageman approached John More
land and asked why the rifle. More.
land half closed one keen grey eve
and patted the walnut stock of his
repeater.
"Oh, l Jest brought 1t along to see
AT everybody has straight DEAL" he
drawled-"go on about yore business
mister"
The baggageman went about his
business.
The Conductor Of the fast train wa,
very unlike the conductor OF the north
bound. When he had learned some
thing Of the circumstances. ne insinu.
ated that Dale had done exactly the
right thing He would see whether
there was doctor aboard.
Within five more minutes he re-
turned I'm company with an elderly
man wearing a pointed beard and nose
glasses.
doctor Mckenzie" he said polite
ly; ."Mr. -"
dale"
The two nodded. and the physician
knelt beside the litter, which had been
placed with Its ends on boxes to allow
the center to swing free. He made as
thorough an examination as was pos
stble under the conditions, then arose
and stood looking down upon the
young woman with something like ad.
mirati In his sober, professional
eyes.
Perfect physique" he said as
thouSh to himself. "She will
have to undergo an operation" he told
Dale. "rhe bone there is broken In
slightly, making compression; she
will doubtless be unconscious until the
pressure is relieved. But she has fine
chances for quick and entire recoy-
cry, with good surgeon on the job,
SO there's not much ground for worry"
Dale was glad. They were all glad.
Ben LittiefOrd laughed nervously In
his sudden JOY. He went down to his
knees beside his daughter, took up
one Of her limp hands and stroked It
In way that was pitiful.
When he arose he spoke cordially
to M0reland. But Moreland didn't re-
ply. He still looked upon his old en-
emy with contempt.
Doctor Mckenzie was leaving the
train at the next town of importance,
and he would wire Doctor Braemer to
meet them with an ambulance, IL Dale
wished.
IF you please" said. Dale.
They reached the city shortly before