For a moment the laughter still drew her lips, the soft light of happiness still illumined her eyes.
Then the light and the laughter were erased from her features as if an invisible hand had wiped them.
In their place came first a blankness, an incredulity—then, as realization and memory struck home to her brain, the anguish of death itself swept across her face.
She stared with dilating pupils at the small picture.
“Nance!” cried her mother, “Nance!”
She raised her eyes and looked at Mrs. Allison and the latter felt a chill of fear.
“Take—Sonny, Bud,” she said slowly, “and get his clothes.”
Bud, tactful and quiet, did as she asked, and when she was alone with her mother the girl held out the picture.
“Brand told me—last night,” she said haltingly, “that a package he gave me—to open in case anything happened—to him—held the face of—of—of Sonny’s mother. This is Cattle Kate Cathrew.”
“My good Lord A’mighty!” ejaculated Mrs. Allison.