Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-04-20

ture; and when that's done. we'll buy
the bungalow.
"And I'm informing you now, OLD
savage" he continued that you're
having dinner with us this evening.
lou'll find IL pleasant. We do as we
please, you see. IL you like, you may
stir your coffee with your finger, eat
with your knife reach clean across the
table, and pick your teeth with your
fork. You can eat with your hat on.
and you may have your dessert first.
You can have an extra chair for your
feet, and YOU can 80 10 sleep &c the
table. Don't fail US. Pat wants 10
thank you tor casting her aside ut
the altar
Dale laughed boyishly. McLaurIn
went on:
There's more news. Your father
has been trying hard to find you. lie
sent man to Atlanta to look for you.
He told me he'd give me house and
lot If I'd find you-and II there was u
little more of the highway robber in
me, I'd call his hand u
And mOther-have you seen herr"
Dale muttered.
1--WE seen her twice since the near
wedding"
Did she have anything to say about
me? Tell me the whole truth, Bobby.
can take it, old man. I'm big enough"
McI.aurin frOwned. "Since you've
asked me, Blli, your MOTHER ever
heard her telling your father that she
would never forgive you for the ut
terly shameless, disgraceful scene you
made in church"
IL see" said Dale. He frightened
and went on, LAS soon as | can get my
two friends down TO the dining room,
Bobby. YOU re going with me to father.
We're going TO claim that house and
lot for YOU
For Iatricia's sake. I've thunder
ing big notion TO take YOU up" laughed
McLaurin. "Your dad would never
miss it,"
That's it-take me UP for Pats
sake" said Dale, rising. You'd be
foolish if you didn't. You should be
willing TO DO anything, almost, for Pat.
She's jewel, Bobby"
Half an hour later they caught
passing car that soon carried them to
palace Of granite and stone and
cream-colored brick-the home of the
old coal king, John X. Dale.
At the wide front gateway young
Dale drew back.
Bring father out here" he said in
Il low voice. From what You told me,
| guess mother wouldn't want me 10
come in. But you can find out about
that"
lie hoped his mother would want to
see him. While she had never seemed
10 care for him as other mothers cared
for their boys while she hadn't been
quite so dear 10 him us she might have
been
and if she vents TO see me, Bobby,
let me know"
McLaurin smiled n somewhat wor-
ried smile, and went up TO the front
door \ moment later he was shown
in. Yet another moment, and John X.
Dale, his floiid face beaming with
gladnesS, FASTENED out TO the gateway.
Young Dale was instantly touched by
his fathers new attitude toward him;
then he remembered the hong night OF
David Moreland's people, and he stiff
fened a little and drew back pace.
You've come home TO stay, haven't
you, Carlyle?" said the older man. and
his voice was filled with pleading.
what YOU did is all right; well never
mention it again. You'll stay, won't
you, Carlyle, my boyT"
NO" answered the son. a trifle cold
~ in spite of himself. I've spent all
the idle, useless years III ever spend.
I'm getting ready to develop the coal
in David Morelands mountain"
"David-Morelands- ~
The retired coal magnate breathed
the three words in a husky tone. He
put forth a hand and rested ii against
one of the huge stone gateposts, as
/ though TO steady himself. and some OF
the color went from his face.
You say David Moreland's noun
tain, Carlyle?" jerkily.
YES"
"And you-you LEANED about David
! MorelandT
"Yes" Bill Dale folded his arms
/ and stood there looking at his father
with eyes that accused.
You know who killed him?" old
Dale muttered.
81 do, and it was shame-a black
shame"
"Yes, it was a shame Nobody knows
that half SO we'll rs | know it," said
John X. Dale. HIS mouth quivered.
He looked downward, looked up again.
"Son, you can never say or think worse
things about me than l have said ana
thought about myself-because OF
that"
Dale the younger glanced toward
the house. Robert McLaurin was COM
ing slowly down the veranda steps.
Mrs. Dale was nowhere in sight. she
didn't want to see her son; she didn't
even want him in the house. BIZ Daie
read Ii all I'm his friends downcast
countenance, and it was somehow
great disappointment.
you'll need money II you're going
TO develop that coal property" Dale
the elder was saying. you haven't
any money, and those mountain folk
haven't any. I'll give you all that's