The Mena weekly star., 1922-01-19

the wimmen O my people. When 1n, ughtin' fever sort O dies down inc gunsll all be brought back and put whar they belong"
 She arose and stood there smiling down upon n2m- lie was staring at the swiriing water without seeing 1t at all
 Her voics srought him to himself.
 -Mhaf're you a-thinkin' about Bnl Daler'
 Dale went to his feet He saw that shs was smiling. and he smiled. too.
 -i was thinking" he said. "of the difference between you and some other women I know" i Her clear brown eyes wfdeneo. "And I reckon seem purty no count. don't IT.
 "No, not at all. It is--er. quite the opposite. Babe. You make them ap- pear unreal. artificial" 1 Babe Littleford's countenance bright ened. She did not doubt that he meant 1t. He was not of the sort that flat tered. She began to like Bill Dale at that same moment.
 And Bill Dale told himself as he went homeward that he was beginning to like Babe Littleford. He did not fight the feeling. because It somehow made the world seem & better place.
 Early the following morning Dale made ready for his journey to Cincin- natl. Having learned the evening be- fore that he was going, By Heck had come to accompany him to the Half way switch.
 The two set out They had three hours in which to cross David More lands mountain before the arrival of Dale's train, and they walked lel- surely.
 They had not gone 8 dozen rods when there came from somewhere down near the river the sound of rife shot. Both stopped and faced about quickly.
 "Pll be dadgummed ef the Little lords ain't found their weeponsl" ex- claimed By Heck. They have, igod, as shore as dangitI"
 How do you know2" Dale's voice was troubled.
 "I shore know" and Heck narrowed his gaze. "'At was Ben Littleford's old 45 Winch. I'd know that gun ef I heered 1t at the nawth pole. The bar'l it's been cut of, and 1t don't sound like other Winchesters."
 "Caleb Moreland was down near the river cleaning out the springhouse ditch," Dale muttered. facing his com panion. "I think we'd better go back"
 Together they went back to the cabin. Johh Moreland and his wife and their s)n Luke were standing at the weatherbeaten front gate. with their eyes turned anxiously toward the river Caleb was coming up through the meadow, and he carried his hat in his hand.
 "Who fired that shot?" asked Dale.
 Ben Littleford." John Moreland an- swered readily.
 Two minutes later Caleb leaped the old rail fence on the other side of the road and approached them hastily. He was breathing rapidly and his strong young face was drawn and pale-with the old hate.
 We'll" said his iron father, what is ltT'
 Caleb held up his broad-ri trimmed black hat and ran finger through a hole in the upper part of the crowns peak
 "He didn't missr snapped John Moreiand.
 "No." quickly replied Caleb. ..he didn't miss. He don't never miss. Yop know that, pap, as well as ye know God made ye. He done 1t jest to show me he meant what he said. He told me to go and tell you to gether up yore set c rabblt-hearted heatherns and come down to the river fo' a lead and-powder picnic, onless ye was a. skeered to comet He said to tell ye the wimmenfolks had hid our guns, and we'd find 'em onder the house floors"
 John Moreland took 1t with utter calmness. though his face was little pa behind his thick brown beard. He turned to his wife. who looked at nlm Squarely.
 "Addie. honey" said he. "I'm mighty sorry"
 "Ef-ef you was much sorry, John," Mrs. Moreland half sobbed, Eye wouldn't go down thar to the river"
 Me cowardT" Moreland appeared to grow an inch in stature. Me let a Littleford send me news like this here which Gale brings. and not do nothin' at all about it7 thought you knowed me better'n that, Addie."
 He faced his two stalwart sons. AL ways he was the general, the leader of his clan. He sent Caleb in one di- rection and Luke in another, to arouse his kinsmen.
 Then he beckoned to Dale ~who had been trying hard but vainly to think of something to do or say that would be of aid to the cause of the women.
 Il don't want you in this here mix up," he said decisively. You must stay clean out of it. You ain't used to this way O fightin'. Asides, you're our hope. Moren that, mebbe, you owe yore life to Babe Littleford; you cain't get around that. Bill Dale."
 He went on. after a moment, "Ef 1 git my light put out today, want ye to do the best ye can with the coal.