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."

CHAPTER TWENTY. LOVIN CHILD STRIKES IT RICH

It was only the next day that Bud was the means of helping Lovin Child
find a fortune for himself; which eased Bud's mind considerably, and
balanced better his half of the responsibility. Cutting out the dramatic
frills, then, this is what happened to Lovin Child and Bud:

They were romping around the cabin, like two puppies that had a surplus
of energy to work off. Part of the time Lovin Child was a bear, chasing
Bud up and down the dead line, which was getting pretty well worn out
in places. After that, Bud was a bear and chased Lovin. And when Lovin
Child got so tickled he was perfectly helpless in the corner where he
had so