Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-04-20
CHAPTER VI.
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Every mothers son OF the feudists
was numbered in the party that fled
across David Moreland's mountain To-
intercept the next south-bound train.
The old enmity was for the time being
forgotten. Members of one clan
rubbed elbows with members of the
other clan, and thought nothing of it.
John M0reland himself carried one
end of the crude litter that held the
limp form of Babe Littleford; Bill
Dale carried the other end.
Close behind the litter walked Babes
father seeming old and broken with
remorse for the thing he had done.
The grief of Ben Littleford was touch
ing now, and Dale was Il little sorry
that he had spoken 50 bitterly 10 him.
They reached the Halfway switch
ten minutes before the arrival of the
fast mail. A short passenger train
was on the long siding, waiting for the
south bound To pass. Dale gave his
end of the litter 10 Caleb MOrcland,
and STROBE up 10 the locomotive. The
engineer sat quietly smoking in his
cab.
Dale wanted the fast mail stopped,
and gave his reasons.
The engineer smoked and consid-
cred. 1t was against rules. Dale
swore at rules. The engineer said he
would see the conductor. lie did, and
the conductor stepped 10 the ground
and began TO consider.
az 3,
said finally, land take her TO Bartons
station. There's q good doctor at Bar
TOMS"
"But this is a case for a surgeon -
impatiently Interrupted Bill Dale.
They disagreed. The old trainman
was close friend Of the doctor at
Barton's station. What was the diff
ference between a doctor and sur
geOn, anyway?
Dale became angry.
you'll stop the fast mail for us"
he snapped, "Or well take your id
red flag and hold her up long enough
10 put the girl aboard, and you've got
only half a second to decide which :"
The conductor was obdurate. The
mountain men were too hOt-headed TO
bear with him longer. The positions
of a dozen rifles underwent a sudden
change. The conductor Immediately
went pale and mentioned the law
but he agreed TO stop the southbound.
AS he ordered his tagman up the
tracks, the sound of the fast train 5
whistle came 10 their ears.
The nier came TO a screeching halt
with sparks streaming from its wheels.
Bill Dale and John Moreland passed
the litter and its burden into the bag
gage car and followed ii hastily, ami
Ben Littleford climbed in after them.
John Moreland leaned out Of the door
way and ordered his son Luke 10 pass
him his rifle, and Luke obeyed
promptly.
There was a shrek from the whistle,
and the brakes were released; the
train began to gather momentum. A
baggageman approached John More
land and asked why the rifle. More
land half closed one keen grey eye
and patted the walnut stock of his
repeater.
"Oh, Jest brought IL along 10 see
at everybody has n straight deal" he
drawled-"go on about yore business
mister"
The baggageman went about his
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 tne
right thing. lie would see wnetne'
there was doctor aboard.
Within five more minutes ne re
turned in company with an eideris
man wearing a pointed beard ana moss
glasses.
Doctor Mckenzie" he SAID polite
ly; mir. -
Dale" tr-l1 $500