He looked across at Cash writing steadily in his precise way,

duly bequeathing his worldly goods to Lovin; owning, too, his

responsibilities in another direction, but still making Lovin Child his

chief heir so far as he knew. On the spur of the moment Bud had thought

to do the same thing. But could he do it?

He seemed to see his own baby standing wistfully aloof, pushed out of

his life that this baby he had no right to keep might have all of his

affections, all of his poor estate. And Marie, whose face was always in

the back of his memory, a tearful, accusing vision that would not let

him be--he saw Marie working in some office, earning the money to feed

and clothe their child. And Lovin Child romping up and down the cabin,

cuddled and scolded and cared for as best an awkward man may care for a

baby--a small, innocent usurper.

Bud dropped his face in his palms and tried to think the thing out

coldly, clearly, as Cash had stated his own case. Cash did not know

where his own child was, and he did not seem to care greatly. He was

glad to salve his conscience with a small bequest, keeping the bulk--if

so tenuous a thing as Cash's fortune may be said to have bulk--for this

baby they two were hiding away from its lawful parents. Cash could do

it; why couldn't be? He raised his head and looked over at Lovin Child,

asleep in his new and rumpled little finery. Why did his own baby come

between them now, and withhold his hand from doing the same?

Cash finished, glanced curiously across at Bud, looked down at what he

had written, and slid the sheet of paper across.

"You sign it, and then if you don't know just how to word yours, you can

use this for a pattern. I've read law books enough to know this will

get by, all right. It's plain, and it tells what I want, and that's

sufficient to hold in court."

Bud read it over apathetically, signed his name as witness, and pushed

the paper back.

"That's all right for you," he said heavily. "Your kid is grown up now,

and besides, you've got other property to give her. But--it's different

with me. I want this baby, and I can't do without him. But I can't give

him my share in the claims, Cash. I--there's others that's got to be

thought of first."




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