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Teeftallow

In the Jones parlour the jazz band still caterwauled, and Abner gradually left it behind.

As he walked he looked up at the cold stars and saw himself rescuing Adelaide's fortune. He imagined himself standing beside Sheriff Bascom and the deputies, defending the last of the railroad construction. Also, he would be defending Adelaide in her fine home, with her fine car, and her fine, unashamed passion seeking happiness for herself, and for her children who were yet to be.

"If I knowed I'd git killed an' never git to marry her a-tall, still I'd do it for her," mused Abner, "because—because . . ." His thoughts lost the form of words and became a feeling of what Adelaide was to him; a fresh heartsome breeze, blowing on him amid the exhalations of a swamp.

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