Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1921-09-15
CHAPTER VII.


When John MOreland and Ben Lit
tlefOrd had finished their breakfast
there In the dining room OF the Blais-
dell, they drank the water from their
fngerbOwls, threatened with sudden
death the waiter who snickered, and
found the way 10 the lobby.
To Littlef0rd the minutes dragged
soddenly. Finally he told MoreIand.
In q sentence filled with double mega
lives, that he could bear the suspense
no longer, and proposed that they set
out at once for Doctor Braemer's hos
pitaL. The hotel manager overheard
some OF the one-sided conversation:
he 'phoned the surgeon and learned
that the young woman was resting
easily. which Information he passed
on to the mountain men.
ben LittiefOrd was quiet for five
minutes, more or less. Then he again
proposed TO John MOreIand that they
20 to the hospital to see Babe. More
land refused fiatly. and accompanied
his refusal with an unmIstakabIe look
OF contempt.
You're as restless as a dawg I'm q
fiea town." he told his OId-eneIAy, and
with that he walked away.
A few minutes later Ben Llttleford
stole out unnOticed by his neighbor
from the Big Pine, and went at a brisk
gait up the street. AiOreIand found IL
out shortly afterward; he followed the
Littleford chief hOtfOOt, and overlook
him. Trust your hill dweIler to note
landmarks when he goes into unknown
territory - Littleford was headed
straight for the hospital.
They walked for two blocks In ST.
Ience. MOreland had assumed the at.
titude or one who has had the guard
ianship OF an irresponsible person
thrust upon him. But SOFA he soft
ened somewhat.
Il shore CANT understand, Ben" he
drawled. how BIn Dale ever could
bear Il to live here"
Il WONDER" LittlefOrd said absent
mindedly. as though he had not heard,
"whar Bill Dale Is atF It's mighty
burned lonesome without him, amt it7
That was good ham we had for break
fus. John"
~ WASH nam. IL was Deer.
1t was ham,"
1t was beef"
ut was ha-"
don't ye reckon" fiared John More
land, that know a dang cows meat
when I see 1T 1t was beef"
They had halted In the middle OF q
stream OF pedestrians. policeman
crowded his way TO them.
Move onI" he growled.
Bin Dale was AZ that moment enter
ing the lobby OF the BIaisdell with
Robert McLaurin at his side. Dale
had just told McLaurin that he meant
90 90 TO Cincinnati to borrow money
from his wealthy friend Harris. Then
AcLaurin told Dale something that
saved him the journey TO Cincinnati.
"You haven't heard about Harris,
BiliI I'm sorry. because he would
have accommodated you. he went
broke . few days ago In the cotton
smash. de was here yesterday, and
left last night for Cincy."
Dale did not try TO conceal his sur
prise and disappointment. Harris, for
all his youth, had been q business mar
vel.
-Lu have to try somebody here, 1
guess. But l won't take Il from ia
ther-mOther wouldn't permit It, any.
way, If she knew-and there are sew
eral other reasons. Queer how a fell
lows mother, would turn him down
like thisi Usually. y'know, It's a feI.
lows mother that sticks by him the
Il wonder where l could md old
Newton WheatIey, OF the Luther
Wheatley Iron company 1 know him,
all right. He always liked me. Bobby"
you'll ind him at home" McI.aurln
answered. Hes out OF business, and
here all the time now. lie might take
q shot at coal Why not phone him
from herer'
"I'n DO that" Dale decided. Look
up my two friends for me. Bobby, will
your
de was soon speaking to Newton
Wheatley. he was brief In stating his
wishes. To the question as to why he
did not 70 90 his father for funds
well, he had his reasons, and it was |
rather q private matter. wheatley, OF |
course. remembered the near-weddinR.
The old iron man was silent for |
what seemed to Dale n very long time. |
Then his voice came over the wire |
with an almost omInous calm:
who besides you has seen this vein,
,Carlyle1 Anybody that knows coaIY'