The Twins of Suffering Creek

was affected by Minky's plaint. His face might have been a stone wall for all expression it had of what was passing behind it.

f the loafer had any idea of its quality. It was harsh, nasal and possessed as much tune as a freshly

he other day if

e labour?' Sez he, '

e figger?' 'A dollar

tickle yerself, we'd a

l, marm, we're

l-lp the bummers

bums an' joll

ve like R

d luck we bu

ool of a man

ll appeared in the doorway, and the vocalist was r

g ranch wi' that voice," he said icily.

tin "billy." His face was greasy with perspiration, and, even to Bill's accustomed eyes, he looked dirtier than eve

s?" the latter d

nth. There was a hideous accumulation of unwashed utensils scattered everywhere. The floor was unswept, let alone unwashed. And the s

claim on a patch of elegant garbage, an' is digging fer worms. Them's the gold. An' Jamie's playin' 'bad man' an' swoopin' down on he

ul stare of the other's eyes. And turning ba

if it ain't enough to give 'em bile and measles, an'––an' spots, then I don't know a 'deuce-spot' from a hay-rake. Git right out, you loafin' bum, an' fetch 'em in, an' then get the muck off'n your

o his employer's orders. He dropped the spoon into the milk with a suddenness that

nquired thr

ay nothin',

ically. And he watched his man hurry out into the su

nts. Then he turned back into the ro

l you feel like dying o' colic at the sight, he ain't fit to rob hogs of rootin' spa

stove, upset the contents on the floor and flung the pot itself across the room, where it fell with a clatter upon a pile of dirty tin plates and pannikins. He swore violently and sucked

his shrewd eyes took in the situation at a g

It sure ain't a heap of trouble heatin' a drop o' milk. Most any fule ken do that. I tho't you savvied that, I sure did, or I'd ha' put you wise. Y'see,

cried Vada in const

the floor and dipping his fingers into the m

t its tongue and set up a howl. Vada ran to the animal's assistanc

ted kick, picked the weeping girl up, and tried to shake some of the milk from her dirty clothing. While

ted, and beat the gambler's ch

" wailed Vada, from

ild voice reached them

at's hap

the next instant the children were

dish lungs. The men released them, and, with a rush, the

him. Then he kissed Vada. After that he stood up, and, in a peculiarly dazed fashion gazed about

ly stared. The little man was a pitiable object. His clothes were tattered. His face was bruised and cut, and dry blo

well. They had handled their victim wit

moment's hesitation, as though gathering togeth

arn. She's come to no harm. She ain't got saddle-sore, nor––nor no

r him to have expressed the thoughts passing through his fierce mind. Sunny, however, was more super

ack?" he q

e worked into the

ess of the meeting drove him to

as not delicate-minded

ou had

shook h

and––his boys got roug

ee

zy indifference. For once he was stirred to a rage that was

d his tongue, and Sunny was

d, pointing at the parcel Sci

man glanced

sure got grub up here, an' I didn't need to get things. But I guessed I couldn't let you do all this now I

aten up with a rage he could scarcely restrain. But Scipio turned to

laying caressing hands upon them. "You'll need your

again everything was "bully." But Jamie was silently stari

om his coughing, sudde

ep things goin' right. He's fed the kiddies, which was the most ne'ssary thing. As for keppin' the place clean,"––he pointed at the small sea of milk which still stood in

ed Sunny. But Bill woul

along. So long, Zip," he added, with an unusual touch of gentl

the loafer silent until they passed out of the hut. Once outside the gambler threw his sh

prit bad time," he s

r did another word pass between th

tanding and walked to the bedroom door. He looked in. But the curtains dropped from his nerveless fingers and he turned back to the living room, sick in mind and heart. For one moment his eyes stared unmeaningly at t

nee and Vada hugged one

er, kiddies," he said, w

r's right cheek, and touched it gently with one small finger. It was so

rted," he

l hurt up," adde

smile. "Y'see, it was jest a game, an'––an'

with swift childish curiosity

comin' back?

d was shining with all the splendor of a summer noon. But for all his

he echoed

ried Jamie. "Wh

k his head

omin'?" ins

cused themselves upon the yellow pup,

ture, he added: "Never! never!" And his head dropped upon Jamie's little shoulder