He rested
and feasted and later went his way. At the post office he searched among
his rags for the letter and the money. Then his face went white as
ashes:
"Gawd a'mighty!" he whimpered.
"What's wrong?" Merrivale came from behind the counter.
"I done burn my chest protector. I'll freeze without the papers." Then
Bill explained the fire building but, recalling Lois Ann, withheld any
further information.
"Here, you fool," Merrivale said not unkindly, "take all the papers you
want. And take this old coat, too. And look, lad, in yo' wandering have
yo' seen Greyson's lil' gal?"
Bill looked cunning and drawing close whispered:
"Her--and him, I seed 'im, back in the sticks! Her--and him!" Then he
laughed his foolish laugh.
"I thought as much!" Merrivale nodded, with the trouble a good man knows
at times in his eyes; but his faith in Burke coming to his aid. "You
mean--Lawson?" he asked.
Bill nodded foolishly.
"Then keep yo' mouth shut!" warned Merrivale. "If I hear yo'
gabbing--I'll flax the hide o' yo', sure as I keep store."
CHAPTER XIII
A month, then two, passed in the desolate cabin in the Hollow. Winter
clutched and held Pine Cone Settlement in a deadly grip. Old people died
and little children were born. Lois Ann, when it was physically
possible, got to the homes of suffering and eased the women, while she
berated the men for bringing poor souls to such dread passes.
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