For a long time she did not move, dreading to peer from the
bunk, lest she see a thing that would remind her of the tragedy.
But when, after a while, she found courage to look, she saw Lawler
standing near the fireplace, looking down into the flames, his back to
her.
The axe, she noted, shuddering, was standing on the floor near the
woodpile; and there was no sign of Link or Givens.
For a long time she was silent, watching Lawler, a dread wonder filling
her. And at last, when the continuing silence began to affect her with
its horrible monotony, she said, quaveringly:
"Did--you--Are they _dead_?"
"Yes," said Lawler, gruffly; "I took them out back of the windbreak." He
wheeled, to look straight at her, his gaze level and somber.
"I had to do it--there was no other way. I'm sorry you had to see it."
That was all. He did not speak to her again. For a long time she watched
him, but he did not change position--standing there, tall, big, seeming
to brood into the dancing flames that cast grotesque figures over the
walls of the cabin.
CHAPTER XXI
CHANCE--AND A MAN
Della must have slept, for when she again opened her eyes the light had
been extinguished and a gray glow was coming through the north window.
Morning had come.
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