The Hanging Tree Page #5

by the sun.

The sun.

- Can I see you?

- Not yet.

You are temporarily -

remember, temporarily - blind.

My father...

...dead, isn't he?

Yes.

He was killed in the hold up.

And he didn't even live

for the payback.

Where is he buried?

By the road where it happened.

Now I'm going

to get you something to eat.

Don't be frightened of being alone.

My cabin is only a few paces away.

Doctor, is there someone

for me? A woman?

No.

What am I wearing?

They sent your trunk

and your traffic bag.

- I took a nightgown from your trunk.

- Thank you.

Don't be disturbed about anything.

I'll take care of you.

- Morning, Rune.

- I was just going to call you to breakfast.

- Got enough for three?

- Sure.

Is she going to be all right?

She'll need quiet and

protection from strangers.

Rig that up on the porch

so she can call us.

- Is that all to it, Mr. Flaunce?

- Yes, that's all we've got to ship.

- The gold crease petering out?

- Never has been a big strike.

Nobody's had any glory holes here.

Well, good luck!

Good morning, Rune.

Where did you get the horse?

Doc took it in on a fee.

Doc sent me to see

if you got them eggs.

Yeah, I got a dozen and

I saved three for you.

How's the Lost Lady?

She's sitting up for the first time.

but is still weak.

- And still blind?

- The doc says it will take some time yet.

These are mighty precious

this far out.

- You tell the Lost Lady we're all pulling for her.

- All right.

That will be $3, pay the missus.

Isn't $3 mighty high for eggs?

That's $1 apiece.

That's not bad. They came

all the way from Sour Creek.

I suppose the Doctor's busy with

his various practices up there.

Yes, ma'am. Thank you.

Well, looks like church!

A few of us women have

decided to see about that girl.

If the Doc wanted help

he'd ask for it.

She may be the one who needs help.

She's hardly in the hands of saints.

Edna, don't stick your nose in

where it's not wanted.

If she's decent, she doesn't

belong up there.

If she isn't, we'll

soon know.

It was a bad winter.

My mother died that year.

My father said:

''Let's go somewhere else

A place that is new and bright

and not ever hungry.''

Oh, it was wonderful.

The steam train to St. Louis.

and the steam boat

up the Missouri.

And then the coach over the mountains

and through wide lands.

This was why we

had come so far.

''And now,'' my father said,

''While you're thinking,

try and find the right place''.

Did you think that

this would be the right place?

When I can see again,

I'll know.

What you will see is a raw,

wild little gold camp.

The crawling ants here will blow away

with the first wind from the next site.

And you'll see some of

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