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“I’m sorry” Rusty’s voice wavered hoarsely “It was a stray shot … o

r a ricochet” A tear slipped fro silently

“No” Lorna shook her head, trying to be very firm “He’s just …” But as she reached to lift Arthur froers felt the sticky warmth of blood

A clawing, wild pain ripped her chest apart She gathered his liive hiain, as she had once before when she carried hi disbelief she scanned his beautiful face for son of life

“No No” She wasn’t conscious ofher cheek against his, she closed her eyes and rocked back and forth

“God in heaven, but it isn’t right,” Rusty declared thickly

“What’s the , but Lorna was beyond hearing him

Rusty sniffed loudly and wiped briskly at his nose “Coruff, but not unkind

Slowly she sank to her knees and cried softly, barely htly and rocking, unaware of the hush in ca cowboys with pain in their eyes, and the darkness that filled the sky

It was left to Rusty to answer Webb’s questions and put hi?”

“Because he’s going away” He tucked the quilt around the little shoulders

“A too?”

“No, you gotta stay here and take care of your mother”

“But where’s Arthur going?”

“Away Far away But you’ll see him by and by,” Rusty said “Now, close your eyes”