Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-08-05
CHAPTER vi.
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The old enmity was for the time being
forgotten. Members of one clan
rubbed elbows with members Of the
John MOreand himself carried one
end of the crude litter that held the
limp form of Babe Littleford; Bill
Dale carried the other end.
Close behind the litter walked Babes
father, seeming old and brOkea with
rcmorSe for the thing he had done.
The grief of Ben LittlefOrd was touch
ing now, and Dale was n little sorry
that he had spoken so bitterly 70 him.
They reached the Halfway switch
ten minutes before the arrival of the
fast mail. 4 short passenger train
was on the long siding, waiting for the
south bound to pass. Dale gave his
end 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,
aud gave his reasons.
The engineer smoked and cOnSid-
cred. 1t was against rules. Dale
swore at rules. The engineer said he
would see the conductor. He did, and
the conductor stepped TO the ground
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 n case for surgeon"
mpatiently Interrupted Bill Dale.
They disagreed. The old trainman
was a close friend of the doctor at
Barton's station. What was the diff
geOn, anyway?
Dale became angry.
you'll stop the fast mail for u.s."
he snapped, "Or We'll take your ID
red flag and hold her up long enough
to put the girl aboard, and you've got
only half n second to decide whiCIW
Inc conductor was Obduratr. The
mOuntain men were too h0t-headed TO
hear with him longer. The positions
of dozen rifles underwent q sudden
change. The conductor Immediately
went pale and mentioned the law
Dut he agreed to stop the sOuthbound.
AS he ordered his iIagman up the
tracks, tie sound of the fast trains
whistle came to their ears.
The fier came'to q Screeching halt
\ II sparks streaming from It's wheels.
Bill Isale and John MOreland passed
the Filter and its burden into the bag
gage car and followed it hastily, and
Ben LittlefOrd climbed in after them.
John MOrcland leaned out Of the door
way and ordered his son Luke to pass
him his rifle, and Luke ObCyed
promptly.
There was a shrek from the whistle,
AMI the brakes were released; the
train began to gather momentum. y
baggagGman approached John Mere
land and asked why the rifle. More
land half closed one keen grey eye
and patted the walnut stock OF his
repeater.
"Oh, | Jest brought it along to see
1T everybody has straight DEAL" he
drawed-"go on about yore business,
mister"
The baggageman wenr about his
business.
Tie conductor of the fast train was
very unlike the conductor Of the north
bound. When he had learned some"
thing OF The circumstances. he inSlnu'
atcd that Dale had done exactly Tie
right thing. He would see whether
there WAS doctor aboard.
Within five more minutes he re-
turned in company with an elderly
man wearing u pointed beard and nose
glasses.
Doctor Mckenzie" he said polite
ly; mir. -"
dale"
The two nodded, and the physician
kneit beside the litter, which had been
placed with its ends on boxes to aIlo"
the center TO swing free. He made as
thorough an examination as vas pos
Sible under the conditions, then arose
and stood looking down upon the
young woman with something like ad-
miration in his sober, professional
eyes.
Perfect physique" he said as
though 10 himself. ''he VIII
have TO undergo an operation" he told
Dale. The bone there is broken III
slightly, making a compression; she
will doubtless be unconscious until the
pressure is relieved. But she has me
cIunccs for quick and entire rec"V-
cry, with Il good surgeon on the JoD'
SO there's not much ground for worry.
Dale WAS glad. They were all glau'
Ben LitlIcford laughed ncrvouSly III
his sudden joy. He went down /" his
knees beside his daughter, took UP
one of her limp hands and strOkcd II
in Il way that was pitsful.
When he arose he spoke cordially
. To Morrland. But MOrCland didn't re-
ply. He still looked upon his old en-
clny with contempt.
Doctor Mckenzie was leaving the
train at the next town Of Importance
and he would wire Doctor BrarInef 10