The Hanging Tree Page #6

the scum of the world.

- Not a place you'd want to live.

- Why are you here? And Rune?

- Maybe we belong here.

- I got no place else to be.

Tell me what Rune's like?

And you, Doctor Frail?

What are you like?

Rune? He's kind of cross-eyed

and has two thumbs on each hand.

Doc's got a long

gray beard and no teeth.

We're poorly paired.

I know that's not true.

Rune is very handsome.

But it's mainly that I have

no such description at all.

I only know of his hands.

They are burned from the sun

and gentle.

And his legs must be very long because

he crosses the room in 3 steps.

We've also got some customers.

Or some fancy visitors.

One of them's the landlady.

What have we here?

- Four ladies in trouble?

- We've come to see Miss Mahler.

- Miss Mahler isn't receiving visitors.

- Isn't that for her to say?

No, Miss Mahler is in my care.

Until she's well, that will continue.

The decent element of this town...

What are you doing, Doctor?

I'm aiding your departure.

And unless all of you ladies are pregnant

and need my services

I suggest you

mind your own business.

- Am I a prisoner, Rune?

- Doc tells everybody what to do.

Rune? Is someone there?

Just good old Frenchy Plante,

come to pay his respects.

I'm the one that found you

in the wilderness, remember?

I was wondering if you

can spare my canteen.

I'm sorry, I'm

not dressed for company.

- Would you mind the door?

- Sure, ma'am. Sure.

Hey!

You almost fell, Lost Lady.

Well, I saved you a

second time!

Well, not that it matters. If I didn't

find you, someone else might have.

But then it might

have been too late.

- I wish there was something I could do for you.

- As a matter of fact there is.

I was just going to ask

if you could help me out.

- What can I do?

I've got this spot all

picked out

that looks like it might produce

real color if I could just boost it.

Color?

You are talking about gold?

Gold? Lost Lady, more gold

than anybody has dreamed of!

- How would you like to be rich?

- I would love to be rich.

Whoever grubstakes Frenchy,

is going to be mighty lucky.

- Grubstake? It means you need money?

- That's right, Lost Lady.

I'm afraid I haven't any.

My father was carrying our money.

I would have been happy

to lend you some.

Oh, that don't matter none.

I just came here on

a social call anyway.

But maybe you... just a

little kiss, huh?

Like what?

- Mr. Plante came for his canteen, Doctor.

- Yes, yes.

He has it.

- I'd better be going, ma'am.

- Good night, Mr. Plante.

- Are you all right, Elizabeth?

- Yes.

If you don't need anything,

I have some business to attend to.

Rune! Rune!

Fix the warning bell.

It's been cut.

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