The Twins of Suffering Creek

great deal of his own character, as well as that of the gambler. His implicit obedience to Wild Bill's orders was born of a deeper knowledge of that individual than was po

hority over him––or to a man who, without scruple, held him helpless under an irresistible threat. Which power it was inspired his ob

ason of his own. It was not the actual man. But so long had he worn it now that he had almost forgotten the real attributes enshrouded in its folds. As a matter of fact, he was very much a man, and a "live" man, too.

uld not be denied, and was obvious to all. But an extremely alert mind, an infinite resource of keen, well-trained thought, a profound love of

lmost forgotten their existence. Thus it was, in all seriousness, he cried out bitterly in protest when an att

e man who had driven him to so bestir himself. He lamented over this waste of his precious energies, he consigned Scipio and his children to eternity, and metaphorically hurled Jessie headl

reatest care. Then he stood up, and his eyes fixed themselves on a curious heap under the table. It was a tumbled pile of pale blue, dirty white, with a four-legged dash of yellow. And out of the hea

ada's pretty but equally dirty features. And swift action at once followed his thought. He glanced at the dying fire in the cookstove, and saw the small clothes hanging on t

and a towel, three things he rarely sought for any purposes of his own. Then, after looking into the cupboard, he shook his head. It was deplorably bare of all but uncleanliness. And it was the former that caused his headshake, not the latter. With some

the pup. Its eyes opened, and it lifted its head alertly. Then, with a quick wriggle, he sat up on his hind quarters, and, throwing his lean, half-grown muzzle in the air, set up such a howl of dismay that Sunny

singing, or the flinging of the sack. All he knew was that it was very dreadful, and must be stopped as quickly a

departure which brought with it renewed efforts from the weeping children. "It's jest Sunny Oak wot nobody'll let rest," he went on coaxingly. "He's

fact that their fright was passing, matters little; anyhow, the cries of the twins died out as su

da at last, her brain working m

n," added Jami

amongst his sparse beard as though to test the accu

that wants to be kind to two

a fairy?" said

illing with wonderment, a

success, Sunny

bro't a heap o' good gru

ing out its own train of thought,

she said, ha

ered Jamie a

ou crawl right out o' there an' git around, I

oped. Instead of moving, Jamie suddenly be

," he cried, and for

out for further inspiration, caught sight of an inquiri

ce a clumsy encouragement of the dog. "Here, you yeller feller," he cried, flicking

ce. "Come on, you miser'ble rat. Don't stan' ther' waggin' your fool tail like a whisk-broom. Say, you yaller cur, I'll–

ed Vada. "Fairies ken do most anyt

airy business was played out, and he felt that he must begin again. Children were by no means as e

opened in full view of Vada's questioning eyes. Jamie had also become silent, watching him intently. He du

ed, apparently ign

the table, followed closely by her faithful shadow.

nquired, and her

ambling to his feet beside

taste the molasses. He felt that the moment was critical, and he would not

he knew he had won their confidence. He allowed them ano

by," he said decidedly. "Mean

gs?" inqu

id Jamie, with

is, but he carried the si

eerfully. "Meanwhiles we'll

nsideration and trouble, having discovered a rag which had been used in the household "wash

id cheerfully. "My poppa allus wa

agreed

ape. However, the ordeal was manfully borne, and his reward was quite worth his trouble. Vada promptly

change theirselves. You'se a pretty, pretty man––now. Now, Jamie dear. You next," she added, with fem

und, and the climax was reached when the yellow pup returned of its ow

pected. However, it was not without some difficulty that he succeeded in providing an adequate meal, which consisted of bread and milk, with bread and molasses as a sort of dessert. For himself, he was forced to fare off a t

Jamie busy on the floor endeavoring to solve the mystery of the pup's wagging tail, he lit his pipe and took Vada on his knee. He en

Bed––ah, yes, that was a happy thought. He remembered now, when he was young he always used to get himself into trouble purposely so they would send him to bed. But with this thought came the regretful

an, "how soon does you

her wise

on't. Po

inquired, driving at h

momma

stening the man's dirty wai

ur momma say it?"

a's done t

A

ng tack, and cast about fo

like bed some," he

he pup's tail over his shoulder, and was hanging on to it

e's pulling Dougal's tail right ou

protested Jamie

turned round and licked the boy's face. Jamie fought him

with some difficulty peace was resto

ed right now," he suggested

said Vada, her eyes

t along present

"an'––an'––we go find

nod

an'

said Sunny, taking

ack neither,"

aybe he'll be late. Guess he's havin

easily enough to him in the ordinary way, but w

er," defended Vada. "

agreed

y felt himself on

was required, and considered how best to make it. Finally he resolved that

ith a great assum

ation, Vada joined in his lament, Sunny's distress became pitiable. However, he managed to ease his feelings by several well-directed mental curses at Wild Bill's

cried, darting to the cupboard door and hol

pair of rabbits, they turned and ran for the bedroom, vanishing behind the curtain amid

the big bed where their father and mother slept. Both beds were unmade, and the room was littered with feminine garments in a manner that suggested the mother's hasty

they cried i

their hearts' content. When they had eaten all he

, and clasped her h

t him more. It laid before him a mental picture of his present manhood which somehow nauseated him. But he stood his ground till the final "Amens," then he hust

he looked at the stove. The fire was quite safe. The window was secure. Then he moved to the door.

vening air, "five minutes more o' that an' I'd 'a'

l's hut down at the camp, and had fi

cluck to my chicks, an' I ain't never scratched a worm in my life. I 'low I'm too old to git busy that ways now. If you're goin' to ra

inkle that was quite lost on Sunny in his present mood. However, when the injured man had finished his tale of wo

p smart. Though––say, you'll get around ther' come sun-up to-morrer, an' you'

Sunny, in fierce rebellio

" he cried, "an' don'

y was beaten back into moody silence. But if looks coul

on icily. "You're off duty till––sun-up. You'r

ebellious eyes were fiercely al

usly. And with this final impotent e

lled after him amiably. "

for he had left him with the haste of a man driv

akened manhood. With him it was only strength that counted. Morality was only for those who had not the courage to face a mysterious future unflinchingly. The future concerned him not at all. He h

over the bridge of his large thin nose. Something was working swiftly, even passionately, in his brain, and it was evident that his thoughts were more than unpleasant to

head and glanced swiftly about his bare room. Finally he sprang to his feet and crushed his slouch hat on his head, and, cross

e long summer's day, and it hummed with the music of stirring insect life. He strode along the trail past the store. H

utes the dim outline of Scipio's house loomed up before him. He came close up, and walked slowly round it. At one window he paused, listening. T

hin. He cursed the animal softly under his breath and waited, hoping the wretched creature would settle down again. He heard it snuff at th

s knees drawn up into his arms, he prepared for his long vigi