Читать книгу Nameless River онлайн

57 страница из 59

When Nance made ready to go away at noon she knew that Brand was coming at night, that these two had always ridden on Diamond, and that they would ride again some day, while Dirk, the Collie, would run beside them. She knew that Brand was always gone in daylight, and that the cave by the rock below was home.

But that was all she did know, or could find out, except that the child’s name was Sonny and that he was seven.

Perhaps it was due to the fact that she had inadvertently called him that, that she owed the success of the hour.

Be that as it may, the yearning pity which she felt made Nance use the last and greatest of feminine wiles to win him to her.

“I’m going away now,” she said smiling into the grave brown eyes in the little face, “but if you’ll kiss me—and won’t tell Brand a thing about me, I’ll come again tomorrow—and I’ll bring you some more goodies. How about it?”

The promise, the kiss—these completed the downfall of the lonely waif, and Nance’s heart ached anew at the pathetic grip of the weazened arms about her neck.