The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1922-05-11

have to undergo an operation" he told
Dale. 1.-THE bone there Is broken In
slightly, making compression; she
will doubtless be unconscious until the
pressure Is relieved. But she has fine
chances for quick and entire recOv-
cry, with a good surgeon on the job,
so there's not much ground for worry"
Dale was glad. They were all glad.
Ben Littleford laughed nervOusly In
his sudden Joy. He went down to his
knees beside his daughter, took up
one of her limp hands and stroked 1t
in way that was pitiful.
When he arose he spoke cordially
to Moreland. But Moreland didn't re-
ply. He still looked upon his old en-
envy with contempt.
Doctor Mckenzie was leaving the
train at the next town of importance,
and he would wire Doctor Braemer to
meet them with an ambulance, il Dale
wished.
IF you please" said Dale.
They reached the city shortly before
midnight, and were promptly met by
the surgeon. Braemer took charge OF
the patient, put her into his ambu-
lance and hurried her to his private
hospital. Bill Dale and the two clan
chiefs followed in an automobile. The
hillmen had never before seen an au-
tomObile; but they asked no questions
about it, and the only word Of COM
ment was this. from John Moreland:
IL don't like the SMELL"
Everything had been made ready for
the operation, and Babe received SUR
gical aid without delay. +.
The two mountaineers and Dale
waited in another room. Dale had in
duced John Moreland to unload his
rifle. both chamber and magazine.
Babes father paced the floor anxious
ly now and then. Moreland sat like
a stone, with his empty rifle between
his knees, and watched his old enemy
queerly.
1t seemed q long time before Brae-
mer came to them and told them smil-
ingly that it was all over and that the
girl was then coming from under the
effects of the ether. She would be all
right soon, he was reasonably certain.
No, they'd better not see her just then.
But perhaps they could see her at
some time during the afternoon Of the
following day.
Dale escorted his two companions
to modest hotel and then put them
in a room that had but one bed; by
thus throwing them together In a
strange land, he hoped to do some
thing toward making them friends.
Then Dale went to another room, I'M
dressed and went to bed.
1t may be noted, parenthetically as
1t were, that John Moreland and Ben
Littleford quickly reached wordless
agreement not to sleep tOgether-they
divided the pillows and linens evenly,
tore the odd coverlet exactly In half,
and slept on the floor.
When Dale went down to the lobby
the following morning an aiert-eyed
young fellow sprang from chair and
hastened up to him.
4 ~ 0OOA6Ot bJuUy Odkc CA
claimed, as they began to shake hands.
"HOw did you know was here, any
way? Your boosted nose for news,
eh?
Guilty" smiled McLaurin. II got
word last night that mountain girl
had been brought to Braemer's, acct
dentally shot, and l smelled q feud; SO
hurried over to get the story. You
had just left, and Braemer's didn't
know much about it. 1t was too soon
after the operation, they said, for her
to see me; then one of the nurses
whispered to me that you had brought
her, and said that would find you here.
So here am. Bill, and l want the
story. I'll phone It In. and then III
give you some news"
"The story mustn't be published.
Bobby" Dale replied. For one rea-
son, there Is feud; and II the law
knew, 1t might take hand--you see,
think there is a better way to take
care of that feud. And am Of the
opinion that the girl wouldn't like the
publicity. Suppose you forget all
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