He let go
and stared hard at Marie, lifting his eyebrows comically as he
stepped back, his hand going unconsciously up to smooth his
beard.
"Marie?" he repeated stupidly. "Marie?" He reached out and laid
a hand compellingly on her shoulder. "Ain't your name Marie
Markham, young lady? Don't you know your own dad?"
Marie lifted her face from kissing Lovin Child very much
against his will, and stared round-eyed at Cash. She did not say
anything.
"You're my Marie, all right You ain't changed so much I can't
recognize yuh. I should think you'd remember your own father--
but I guess maybe the beard kinda changes my looks. Is this true,
that this kid belongs to you?"
Marie gasped. "Why--father? Why--why, father!" She leaned
herself and Lovin Child into his arms. "Why, I can't believe it!
Why--" She closed her eyes and shivered, going suddenly weak,
and relaxed in his arms. "I-I-I can't--"
Cash slid Lovin Child to the ground, where that young gentleman
picked himself up indignantly and ran as far as his picket rope
would let him, whereupon he turned and screamed "Sunny-gun!
sunny-gun!" at the two like an enraged bluejay. Cash did not pay
any attention to him. He was busy seeking out a soft, shady spot
that was free of rocks, where he might lay Marie down.
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