Page:Steadfast Heart.djvu/168

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THE STEADFAST HEART

were creatures in his mould, sympathetic to him and capable of being understood.

He became businesslike, efficient, and they gloried in the exhibition. “We’ve got to get out the paper for Thursday,” he said. “He wouldn’t want it to be late.”

“Kin we? Be you sure you kin do it?” asked Jake.

“Why,” said Bishwhang, astonished at such lack of faith, “he’s educated, he is. I bet he knows most as much as Dave Wilkins does.”

“We’ll get it out Thursday,” said Angus stolidly.

The paper came out Thursday and Rainbow was waiting for it. Never had an issue been expected with such keen anticipation…. If the townsfolk hoped to find some reference to Angus Burke himself, or some obtrusion of his personality, they were disappointed. There was no editorial, as is customary in such cases, praying the forbearance of the public until the authentic editor returns to his chair. There were no apologies, no announcements…. Angus never thought of it. He had but one idea—to get out a paper and to get out a paper which would not shame Dave.

On the day of issue Craig Browning went to the office expecting to find Angus anxious, apprehensive. He was neither. He had gone

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