The spectator., 1922-03-03

Alter a SlleUt llOiue1t, SHc CoiililiuSu sadly, half tcarfully: And yet-and yet--the's not bit O use in me a-goin' back now"
 "Why?" Dale was smiling, and she was glad to note that he did not ap- pear to be grieving over his misfor- tune.
 "'Cause the ain't," simply. But you'll go?' ''Yes," she said, 'in the mornin' I'll go."
 He bent toward her and held down his hand. "Good-by, little girl. l hope it will come out all right, and l be- lieve 1t will"
 Babe slowly lifted her hand 10 his. Her eyes were downcast. "Good-by." she told him brokenly. And hope it will come out all right. too-God knows do, Bill Dale.' Thus they parted. Dale rode back to the sheriff and Major Bradley, and a minute later the three of them start ed for the lowland and Cartersville jail.
 When bend in the dusty oN-wagon road had hidden them from view, Elizabeth Littleford turned homeward. Her mother followed her.
 The younger woman dropped to the stone step at the vine-hupg front porch with the air of one who is very tired, plueked n full-blown margeld and began absently to tear it's petals slowly apart Mrs Littleford looked out across the meadows, sighed. smoothed back her gray hair with both hands, and sat down beside her daughter.
 T wouldn't worry about 1t, Babe, honey she finally said. Then she too plucked q marigold and began to tear Its petals slowly apart. "Ef he killed Adam Ball, it was 10 save him. self. He's a good man, honey. l think he's about the best man 1 ever seed, Babe
 "No he never killed Adam Ball to save hisself even," Babe replied. Hes a fighter, but he ain't no killer. Listen, mother, it might ha' been this away:
 He is ahind of . tree and Adam is ahind of another tree Adam shoots at his hat, and he shoots at Adams hat-which is the rcg!ar way of twoman fight, as you know. Well. suddenly Adam he jumps up like he's been shet, and falls a-groanin' and a-twistin'. Bnl Dale, s-thinkin' hes killed Adam, comes cut from ahind of his tree. Havin' drawed Bill Dale out into the open by his trick. Adam gifts ready 10 shoot and kill h!m. Jest as Adam is about to shoot, somebody else shoots and kills Adam and saves Bill Dale-mebbs the aint time to any thing else. Now don't ye see? And don't It all sound natchel, mother?"
 T reckon It does" granted the old woman. "But who was 1t shot Black Adam?"
 Somebody who is friend O Eill Dale's," said Babe. Somebody who was a-follerin' Bill with the dee O pertectln' him ef he needed 1t. Some body who knowed it was dangerous fo' him to go of by hisself in the woods that away. I've got it reasoned out jest like this. And who- ever it was 'at was friend enough to Bill Dale to kill man to save him will he friend enough to own up when the proper time comes and keep Ell Dale from a-bein' hung. Whoever 1t was 'at done it is skesrsd bad now. hut later on he'll shere tell 1t, ef it'll n1 mother.
 "I hain't never fo'yot" Babe went on, after moment, about Black Adam Ball ateilln me about aworkin' that same trick on man over in Naw,h Calincr-and he Killed tie man. The law never found It out. And ye see what Black Adam got. Who lives by the sword shall perish by the sword It's in the Good Book, rother. honey; and everything lu the Good Book Is God A'mighty's truth. as you know"
 "Ef 1 was pinned down 10 guess who it was mt done it." Grawlsd Mrs. Lit tleford I'd guess if was By Heck. He was plumb fool about Bill Dale. Ills nav she says he talks iu bls sleep about Hill Dale. He vas alIus a-fol- ierln' him around like aswY."
 Bate pointed to the msadow. An aged and stopped and witchllks wem. an was limping slowly through the clover, coming toward them.
 Granny Heck" msttsrsd Hahs
 The neighborhood's ns~sbesrer aLd fortune-teller limred or ID 10 the cabin. and dropped to the g one step beside Ben Little.ords wife and daughter.
 "l.a. Ia. la!" she panted, fer the days were warm And hsin't it jest turrihle wisht may die this min. ute of I wouldn't might nigh as soon see my own son % to jal But 'en it1l nll come out right ylt, Hahe. l seed II in the cyards. and l seed 1t in [, la n.,hA a,., f.