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I lost 'em a long time ago, and went to live with Mag. She licked me every day, so I just runned away I've been here a awful long time." Jinnie considered a moment before explaining an idea that had slipped into her mind as if it belonged there. She would take him home with her. "You're going to Lafe's house," she announced presently. "Happy Pete and me and Peg live at Lafe Grandoken's home.
"I can't guess," she breathed. "Well, I went to Grandoken's " "You could have sent a note," Molly cut in. Theodore looked at her curiously. "I could, but I didn't. I wanted Jinnie to understand " His voice vibrated deeply when he spoke that name, and the listener's love-laden ears caught the change immediately. "Well?" she murmured in question.
"Grandoken's trial is to start this afternoon within an hour," he informed her. "You'll be here to-day and to-morrow. You see the court won't be long in proving the cobbler's guilt." If he had expected her to cry, he was mistaken. She was past crying, seemingly having shed all of her tears. "He didn't do it," she averred stubbornly. "I know he didn't."
Molly smiled and went out with Jordan Morse. "She gave in all right," remarked Molly, when they were riding down the hill. "I knew she would." Morse shrugged his shoulders. "Of course. She worships Grandoken's youngster.... I was wondering there once how you felt when you knew she was reading her own letter." Molly's face grew dark with passionate rebellion.
As she turned to walk away, Theodore fell in at her side, suiting his steps to hers. "Mind you, Molly, any day you say but Saturday." "Why not Saturday?" asked Molly, pouting. "I might want you then!" Unsuspecting, Mr. King explained. "The fact is, Saturday I've planned to go on the hill. You remember Grandoken's niece? I want to find out how she's progressing in her music."
"Put your arm around me, girl," which invitation Jinnie quickly accepted. Then they two, so unlike, went slowly down the walk toward the tracks to Lafe Grandoken's home. Jinnie's heart vied with a trip-hammer as they turned into Paradise Road. She did not fear the cobbler, but the thought of Peggy's harsh voice, her ruthless catechizing, worried her not a little.
"Don't throw a fit right here. You're not the only one suffering. My atmosphere is cleared a little with Grandoken's arrest, though." "But you've still to reckon with Jinnie," ventured Molly. "Easy now," returned the man. "I'll get her before Theodore is well." "Take me home," pleaded Molly wearily. "Such a day as this is enough to ruin all the good looks a woman ever had."
When Jinnie felt a pair of warm, welcoming arms about her strong young shoulders, she shivered in sudden joy. The sensation was delightful, and while a thin hand patted her back, she choked down a hard sob. However, she pressed backward and looked down into Lafe Grandoken's eyes.
If you reach eighteen safely, burn the letter." He paused and took out a pocketbook. "Money is scarce these days, but take this and it'll get you to Grandoken's. It's all I have, anyway. Now go along to bed." He handed the envelopes to her, and his hand came in contact with hers. The very touch of it, the warmth and life surging through her, gave a keener edge to his misery.
Jordan repeated his conversation with Maudlin Bates, stating how his plans had suddenly matured on hearing the wood gatherer denounce King and Grandoken. Then he proceeded a little more calmly. "It seems I hadn't been at the side door of Grandoken's shack a minute before Theodore drove up." Molly's hands came together. "Theodore?" she repeated breathlessly.
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