Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-04-20

hutll DtSluc TIE HtltIf NlhNl udu hN''
placed with its ends on boxes TO allow
the center 10 swing free. lie made as
thorough an examination as was pos
sible under the conditions, then arose
and stood looking down upon the
young woman with something like AID
miration in his sober, professional
eyes.
Perfect physique" he said as
though 10 himself. "She VIII
nave TO undergo an operation, ne '"'"
Dale The bone there is broken In
slightly, making compression; she
will doubtless be unconscious until the
pressure is relieved. But she has fine
chances .or quick and entire recoN-
cry, with Il good surgeon on the job,
SO there's not much ground for worry.
Dale was glad. They were all glad
Ben Littleford laughed nervously IN
his sudden joy. lie went down TO his
knees beside his daughter, took up
one of her limp hands and stroked IL
in way that was ptiful.
When he arose he spoke cordially
To Moreland But Moreland didn't re-
ply. He still looked upon his old en-
envy 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
Mi ,f, ~
the surgeon. Braemer took charge OF
the patient, put her into his ambu-
lance and hurried her TO his private
hospital. Bill Dale and the two clan
chiefs followed in an automobile. The
hillmen had never before seen an au-
tomobile; but they asked no questions
about il, and the only word of com
ment was this, from John Morcland:
IL don't like the smell"
Everything had been made ready for
the operation, and Babe received sur
gical aid without delay.
The two mountaneers and Dale
waited in another room. Dale had in
duced John Moreland to unload his
rife, both chamber and magazine.
Babes father paced the floor anxious
~ now and then. Moreland sat like
stone, with his empty rifle between
his knees, and watched his old enemy
queerly.
1t seemed a long time before Brae-
mer came TO them and told them sni-
ingly that it was all over and that the
girl was then coming from under the
effects of the ether. She would be all
right soon, he was reasonably certain.
No, they'd better not see her just then.
But perhaps they could see her at
some time during the afternoon of the
following day.
Dale escorted his two companions
TO a modest hotel and then put them
in room that had but one bed; by
thus throwing them together in Ii
strange land, he hoped TO do some
thing toward making them friends.
Then Dale went TO another room, un-
dressed and went TO bed.
1t may be noted, parenthetically as
ii We're that John MOreland and Ben
Littleford quickly reached wordless
agreement not TO sleep together-they
divided the pillows and linens evenly,
tore the odd coverlet exactly in half,
and slept on the floor.
When Dale went down TO the lobby
the following morning an alert-eyed
young fellow sprang from Il chair ana
FASTENED UP TO him.
by George, Bobby :" Dale eX-
claimed. as they began to shake hands.
How did YOU know | was here, any
way? Your boosted nose for news,
eh?"
Guilty" smiled McLaurin. II got
word last night that a mountain girl
! had been. brought TO Braemer's. acct
dentally shot. and | Smelled n feud So
| hurried over To get the story You
had just left, and Braemer's didn't
! know much about il. 1t was too soon
! after the operation, they said for her
TO see me; then one of the nurses
whispered To me that you had brought
her, and said that would lind YOU here.
So here l am, Bill, and / want the
story. I'll phone it In, and then IN
give you some news"
"The story mustn't be published,
Bobby" Dale replied. For one rea-
son, there is a feud; and if the law
knew, IL might take hand-yOu see,
| think there is Il better way TO take
care of that fcud. And | am OF the
opinion that the girl wouldn't like the
publicity. Suppose you forget all
about it. Bobby.
II McLaurin was disappointed, he
kept il well To- himself.
"Ihcy said she was handsome, n
sort of primitive Venus" he winked.
us there romance connected. BillT'
Not yet" smiled Dale.
But soon?"
'Who can telIY" Dale shrugged q
little. Tell me the news"
"Ali right" McLaurin drew his
friend toward pair OF empty chairs
II married Patricia Clavering the day
before yesterday. We
'Bullyl Go on"
I'VE were married I'm an automobile
with her father and poor dear Harry
chasing us like wHdtre I'm another car
Yesterday we went TO housekeeping In
cute little suburban bungalow, furni
ture on the installment plane Hei
people won't even look at us, Bill
| al