Page 84 (1/2)

While he rubbed and rinsed and wrung and hung to dry, he had planned the

details of taking the baby to Alpine and placing it in good hands there

until its parents could be found It was stolen, he had no doubt at

all He could picture quite plainly the agony of the parents, and co their misery as much

as possible But one day of the baby's presence he had taken, with

the excuse that it needed immediate warmth and wholesome food His

conscience did not trouble hih in his intentions and convinced that he had done the right thing

Cash had long ago undressed and gone to bed, turning his back to the

war the blankets up to his ears He

either slept or pretended to sleep, Bud did not knohich Of the

baby's healthy slumber there was no doubt at all Bud put on his

overshoes and went outside afterthe fire in thethe cabin war fiercely, and the as biting cold Already the

woodpile was drifted under, so that Bud had to go back and light the