The Mena weekly star., 1922-03-02
tcontinued from a Previous Issue )

Wheatley began cordially: Your fa- ther tells me 1t is good proposition, Carlyle, so I'll let you have all the money you'll need. And if you want good mining man, know where you can lay your hands on one; also l can furnish you, at half the original cost, all the necessary machinery and acces. sories. You didn't know the old I.u. ther- Wheatley company dlckered in coal as well as iron eh? Well, 1t did. Let me see you at three o'clock this afternoon"
 Dale was Jubilant. Here was a rare stroke of good fortune. He went to McLaurin-who had not yet found John Moreland and Ben Littleford- and told him about it. McLaurin was almost as happy as Dale over it. A bellboy appeared like a jack-in-the-box in the center of the floor. "Mistoh Cahlyle Dale Mistoh Cahlyle Dale l''
 Dale wheeled. "Well7"
 Wanted immeJitly at Doctoh Brae- meh's hospittle, suhI"
 Dale shook hands with McLaurin anu hAAIlNu tUWuHu 6lIEcts
 A few minutes later Doctor Braemer met him in the reception room.
 What's wrong doctor7"
 The surgeon beckoned. Come with me"
 He turned and led the way through long corridor and to sunny white room where Babe Littleford lay with bandage about her temples. Ben Lit tleford was on his knees at his daughters bedside; he was slowly wringing his big, rough hands and beg ging piteously to be forgiven.
 Babe stared at him g trifle coldly. She had not yet seen the two men who stood in the doorway. Then she in- terrupted her father:
 You hush. pap, and go away. I'd told ye a hunderd times about fightin' a-bein murder, and specially to us wimmenfolks and you never would pay any 'tention to me. You hush, pap, and go away. Ef 1 die, I'll jest haf to die. And ef l die, 1 shore do want to die in peace. Go way, pap"
 But ye must live, Babe, honey !" Ben Littleford moaned "Ef you was to die. what'd l dor"
 "I don't know what ye'd do, pap," Babe said weakly. You ought to thought O that afore, pap. It may be too late now. 1 want ye to go on of and le' me alone. Eff 1 die, want to die in peace The Lord knows never got to live In peace"
 There was a worried look in her wonderful brown eyes. and the doctor saw it. lie strode forward decisiyely and helped Littlefosd to his feet. The hillman wiped away a tear with his faded blue bandana. and hung his head. He had been made broken man in one day.
 "Go out to your friend Moreland," smiled the doctor. 'aud wait there for a little while"
 Babes father walked unsteaoily out of the room. Dale went to Doctor Braemer and whispered, isn't she go- ing to make itT' anxiously.
 Certainly she's going to make it." Braemer assured him. "Go on; she wants to see you"
 Dale drew chair up close to the white bed and sat down. Babes eyes lighted at once, and she put hand uncertainty out toward him. Dale took the hand in his. He saw that It was little pale under it's delicate sunburn.
 Glad to see you, Babe" he told her softly. Why do you think you're go- ing to die, Babe7"
 She smiled at him. "Why, l don't think I'm a-goin' to die," she said. "I know I'm a-goin' to live. Bill Dale. l feel like l could walk fifty miles right Gowi"
 But l heard you tell your father"
 "1 was a-tryin' to skeer him out O nghtin' any more." she interrupted.