CHAPTER FOURTEEN. CASH GETS A SHOCK
It happened that Cash was just returning to the cabin from the
Blind Ledge claim. He met Bud almost at the doorstep, just as Bud
was fumbling with the latch, trying to open the door without
moving Lovin Child in his arms. Cash may or may not have been
astonished. Certainly he did not betray by more than one quick
glance that he was interested in Bud's return or in the
mysterious burden he bore. He stepped ahead of Bud and opened the
door without a word, as if he always did it just in that way, and
went inside.
Bud followed him in silence, stepped across the black line to
his own side of the room and laid Lovin Child carefully down so
as not to waken him. He unbuttoned the coat he had wrapped around
him, pulled off the concealing red cap and stared down at the
pale gold, silky hair and the adorable curve of the soft cheek
and the lips with the dimples tricked in at the corners; the
lashes lying like the delicate strokes of an artist's pencil
under the closed eyes. For at least five minutes he stood without
moving, his whole face softened into a boyish wistfulness. By the
stove Cash stood and stared from Bud to the sleeping baby, his
bushy eyebrows lifted, his gray eyes a study of incredulous
bewilderment.
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