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Updated: May 4, 2025
The sensitive face gathered a deep flush: "I've never lied to you, Brother Horace," she replied gently. "If I could believe you, child, if I could place absolute confidence in your word, I should have courage to go into the struggle without losing hope." "What's Pappy Lon done?" "He has employed Everett Brimbecomb to take you back to Ithaca." Fledra shrank back as if he had struck her.
"I ain't never took nothin', not so much as a chicken! And Flukey wouldn't nuther if Pappy Lon didn't make him." From behind Screech Owl's shrouding gray hair two black eyes glittered. "The good land, the good land!" whispered the madwoman. "It be all comin' for yerself and Flukey." "Be I goin' to " Flea sat back on her bare toes, her face suddenly darkening with rage. "I won't go with him!
Without a word he picked up a wrench, released the stub ends of the broken fingers, gathered the pieces in his hand and asked: "Where is there a carpenter shop?" "Can you operate this press?" asked Mr. Merrick. "Yes, sir." "The carpenter shop is a little shanty back of the hotel. You'll find Lon Taft there." Smith walked away, and Mr. Merrick drew a long breath of relief.
With her pondering came a clear thought her boy was seeking his father! Still somewhat dazed, she tottered to one corner of the hut and fumbled for her shawl. "He axed for Lon!" she whispered. "Nope, he axed for Lem, his own daddy. Now, Lemmy'll take me with 'em oh, how I love 'em both! And the boy'll eat all he wants, and his little hand'll smooth my face when my head aches!"
Each was afraid of the other; but for the big, gloomy man before them they had vast respect. "What be ye goin' to steal, Lon? Tell us before we say we'll help." "Kids," muttered Lon moodily. "Live kids?" asked Eli, in great surprise. "Yep, live ones. What do I want with dead ones? Will ye help?" "Can't see no good a swipin' kids. What do ye want with 'em?"
She grunted as the children entered the room like a whirlwind and climbed the long ladder to the loft, where for some time the low voice of Flukey and the sobs of Flea could be heard in the kitchen below. It was not until her son had entered and hung his cap upon the peg that the old woman ventured to speak. "Be Flea in a tantrum, Lon?" "Yep, ye bet she be!" "Have ye been a beatin' her?"
"Did ye tell anyone ye was goin' with me?" Fledra nodded her head. "Did ye tell Flukey?" "Yes, and Mr. Shellington. But I told them both that I came of my own free will. But you know I came because I wanted Mr. Shellington to live and Flukey to stay where he is. But I ain't going to be alone in this room with Lem tonight I tell you that!" Lon sat down and smoked moodily on his pipe.
That day he had discharged his debt to Lon Cronk by placing the squatter where his diseased mind could be treated, and he had insisted that his own name and home should be Katharine's, the same as of yore. It was not until Mildred opened the door and entered hesitantly that he raised his head. Silently he held out his arms and drew his baby girl into them.
Two pairs of brown-shot eyes, alike in color and size, brightened, and a wide smile spread the four rosy lips. "Flea! Flea!" murmured the baby on the bed; and "Flukey!" gurgled the infant in Lon's arms. "There!" cried the old woman. "That's what he's been a cryin' for. Set him on the bed, Lon, for God's sake, so he'll keep his clack shet for a minute!"
"Then, if ye has Flea, Lem," said Lon, looking keenly at the scowman, "and ye git yer share of money, ye has to share up yer half with me. See?" "Yep," muttered Lem. "Will ye bring the feller down here some day, and we'll talk it over?" Lon acquiesced by a nod of his head, saying only, "Come on out, and let's get a drink." "When's he goin' to git 'em Flea and Flukey, I mean?" "I dunno.
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