The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-07

rough dressing and replaced it
with clean bandages.
you'll do" he told Cliff. "You
were lucky that knife didn't nick
your kidney" From the camp
medicine chest he took out a bot
tile. Zone Of these tablets will
guarantee you a good night
sleep. and I'll see you in the
morning."
Can I get up tomorrow Cliff
asked.
Don't be a darn fool. That
knife wound could be serious. You
are better off in bed"
There's a lot to do" Cliff OBJ
jected.
Then let someone else do it
you're not the only man in camp"
But just before Cliff fell asleep,
he called for Janet. You know
about the barges?" he whispered.
Eyes soft with compassion, she
nodded. Casey told me-"
"You really are in live with a
pauper now"
She laid a cool hand on his fore
head. Don't worry, darling"
He tried to smile. That's so
easy to say, and so hard to" He
was asleep.
And during those next three
days he spoke little of his dis
aster, but something had gone out
OF him-there was a muted quail
ty about him that wrung Janet's
heart, and it was painfully clear
to her understanding eyes how
deep within him brooded the spec
ter of his defeat.
He gained strength rapidly, but
the buoyancy that had been so
much a part of him did not return
and Janet knew why.
Yet only once, as Casey sat by
his bedside, Cliff gave voice to
regret.
1--WE should have built that road
around the rapids" he said, land
hauled the rubber down in
trucks"
Casey grunted. Forget it, Boss.
We couldn't afford to build a road
or buy enough trucks. And it amt
like we don't know what it is to 20
broke"
Il went over the ledger this
morning." Cliff replied. There's
just enough money to pay off the
boys and get them back to the
States" He WINGED. "Maybe some
day we'll all get together again.
on another job - one that well
really put across"
"Sure, sure" Casey answered
but his eyes would not meet
Cliffs.
On the evening of the second
day Wade Carroll dropped in. The
little hunter seemed saddened.
"Lilli asked to be remembered
he said after a time.
"Why didn't you bring her
along?"
Wade squirmed in his chair.
"Well, Mr.. Bogard, that's just it.
She amt with me any more. She
and Vim had a big fight. then they
made it up, and Vicente took her
back to stay with his people," He
sighed. 'It's kinda discouragia'.
wanted her to have a fine educa-
ton"
She'll be happier this way. ED
ucation isn't everything"
Il guess not. Now take Madison
education never done him much
good"
Cliff turned in his cot. "What
about ,Madison?"
"They sent him to the hospital
on the coast. I hear he won't ever
walk much again. And II thing
sure-he won't come back. Vicente
says if he ever sees him, he'll
break him in two. And Wins the
boy could do it,"
That night DR.. Norman let Cliff.
walk about the shack. But only
for a few moments. despite Cliff S
insistence that he was feeling per-
fectly fit.
you're the kind Of patient no
doctor should be cursed WITH"
Norman stormed. "Besides, YOU
better get all the rest you can.
Claribel's coming down to see you
tomorrow"
"Then that settles it," Cliff an
swered. Tomorrow I'm getting
up. Claribel's tough enough when
you're on your own two feet-I'm
not going to let her catch me flat
on my back" He frowned down
at the ledger book he had thrown
in the corner. II suppose she's
worried about her payments. If
the old girl can find any loose
money after 1 pay off the men,
she's welcome to it-and I'll help
her hunt"
The "old girl" came riding up to
the shack just after Janet had
brought Cliff his breakfast, and
Cliff walked to the doorway to
greet her. She peered down at him
for a full minute, then grinned.
well, I can't say you look much
the worse for wear"
maybe you don't see very well
without your sun-glasses."
She laughed. "You know what
happened to those sun-glasses?
Bob Norman broke 'em. He
said" She grasped the horn of
her saddle in alarm, for her horse
had wheeled and stood facing
downstream. "What's wrong with
this fool animal?" she burst out.
But in the next second they all
saw-it was the bow of a steamer
coming around the bend.
Cliff could only stare. Mast and
derricks cleaning in the morning
sun, it rounded the turn. and now
the valley shook with the piercing
blast of its siren.
His uncomprehending gaze
turned to Janet. IT asked Casey
to radio that the boat wasn't need
ed" he managed to say.
Il told him not to, Cliff"
"But-"
Something in her eyes stopped