The Mena weekly star., 1922-02-09


 business.
 The conductor of the fast train was very unlike the conductor of the north bound. When he had learned some thing of the circumstances he insinu- ated that Dale had done exactly the right thing. lie would see whether there was doctor aboard.
 Within i've more minutes he re- turned in company with an elderly man wearing pointed beard and nose glasses.
 Doctor Mckenzie" he said polite | ly; Mir. -"
 "Dale."
 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 sible under the conditions, then arose and stood looking down upon the young woman with something like ad- miration in his sober, professional 1 eyes.
 Perfect physique" he said as though to himself. "She will have to undergo an operation,- ne told Dale. "The bone there Is broken in slightly, making a compression; she will doubtless be unconscious until the pressure is relieved. But she has fine chances for quick and entire recov- cry, with 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 l his sudden joy. He went down to his knees beside his daughter, took up one of her limp hands and stroked 1t in way that was pitiful.
 When he arose he spoke cordially to Moreland. 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. if Dale | wished.
 If you please" said Dale. They reached the city shortly before midnight. and were promptly met by 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- tomoblle; but they asked no questions about it, and the only word of com ment was this, from John Moreland: "I don't like the smell" Everything had been made ready for the operation, and Babe received sur gical aid without delay.
 The two mountaineers 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 | ly now and then. Moreland sat like stone. with his empty rifle between his knees. and watched his old enemy I queerly.
 It seemed a long time before Brae- mer came to them and told them smil- I ingly that 1t 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 sec 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 a room that had but one bed; by thus throwing them together in a strange land, he hoped to do some thing toward making them friends. I Then Dale went to another room. un- dressed and went to bed.
 It may be noted parenthetically as 1t were, 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. 1 When Dale went down to the lobby the following morning an alert-eyed young fellow sprang from a chair and hastened up to him.
 By George. Bobbyi" Dale ex- | claimed. as they began to shake hands, How did you know was here, any way7 Your Doasted nose for news, ehr'
 Guilty" smiled McLaurIn. "I got word last night that mountain girl had been brought to Braemer's, acci- dentally shot. and smelled a feud So hurried over to get the story. You had Just left. and Braemer's didn't know much about it. It 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 find you here 50 here l am, Bill, and want the story. rll phone it in. and then I'll give you some news"
 ''The story mustn't be published, Bobby" Dale replied. For one req son. there Is feud; and If the law knew. 1t might take a hand--you sec ! think there is q better way to take care of that feud. And am of the opinion that the girl wouldn't like the publicity. Suppose you forget all about it, Bobby.
 If McLaurin was disappointed. he kept il well to himself.
 They said she was handsome. a sort of primitive venus." he winked. "ls there romance connected. BillT'
 Not yet" smiled Dale.