,,MADISON ,,H\SE
               ,A ,NOVEL

            ,,PET] ,,DONAHUE

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    ,BAW?ORNE ,BOOKS & ,LIT]>Y ,>TS
            ,PORTL&1 ,OREGON
     ,COPY"R #BJJE 0,PET] ,DONAHUE
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
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            ,9 #AJ ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #E
        ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #CFI-DGD

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0 GRATE;L = 8 PRES;E 2S H]4



















         #AE4 ,REGRAD+ 7#AIJG7      #CHE

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,X 0 ! L>G] PRIVATE HOMES & BO>D+H\SES
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CLE>LY HONOR$ 6EXPLA9 ! ME*ANICS ( 8
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6A B>R5 PLA94
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HOOD OR T>RI$ >.D ! REGRAD+ SITES1
,CLYDE SYMPA?IZ$ ) :O"E 0 SABOTAG+ ! RE-
GRAD+ EQUIP;T--& 9 8 HE>T URG$ ! SABO-
TEUR ON4 ,HE EV5 _H A GD HUN* AB :O ?
SABOTEUR MI<T BE4 ,8 HUN* >OSE ! "D HE
5C.T]$ A SMALL /OOP$ MAN ) PALE1 FRANTIC
EYES1 W1!R$ =EH1D & *EEKS1 &A CO>SE OV]-
GR[N BE>D AT ! ,?IRD ,AV5UE CUT NE> ,LE-
NORA ,/REET4 ,! MAN APPE>$ 2S HM SU45LY
:5 NO "O ELSE 0 >.D4 ,CLYDE NEI SAW NOR
HE>D HM APPROA*2 HE 0 J SU45LY "!1 L A
PHANTOM4 ,HE 0 DIRTY & LOOK$ L HE MI<T H
BE5 AN OLD M9] H>D ON 8 LUCK4 ,HE /OOD
NEXT 6,CLYDE )\T SP1K+ A ^W1 MAK+ ,CLYDE
UNEASY Z HE WAT*$ ! "WM5 2L /&+ AB !
RAIL TRACKS ON : ! WA/E C>S 7       #CII
HAUL$ UP NEXT 6! CUT 6BE LOAD$ 0! /1M
%OVELS4
  8,T TRACK NE$S REPAIR9'10 ! MAN MUM#D
"? 8 BE>D & )\T LOOK+ UP AT ,CLYDE4
  ,AL? ! MAN 0 B>ELY AUDI#1 ,CLYDE DE-
TECT$ A NOTE ( 2MUSE;T 9 8 VOICE4 ,:5 HE
LOOK$ SIDEWISE AT ! MAN1 ! MAN LOOK$ UP
AT HM )A SMIRK ON 8 P>*$1 PEEL+ LIPS4
  8,Y "K T =A FACT80 ,CLYDE ASK$1 9 HALF
"Q1 HALF /ATE;T4
  8,!Y'RE PROBABLY WOND]+ ": ALL !
SPIKES W5T TO10 ! MAN MUM#D1 & LOOK$
BACK D[N T[>D ! TRACKS4
  ,CLYDE LOOK$ D[N AT ! SIX OR SEV5 "WM5
HU4L$ AB ! TRACKS4 ,! RAILS 7 LAID ON
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!M F S9K+ 96! S(T E>?4 ,TWO A4I;NAL M5 7
WALK+ D[N ! TRACK C.T+ 2C "O CALL$ \1
8,TWELVE MISS+ ON MY SIDE10 FOLL[$ 0!
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9 ! GR\P1 ! SITE SUP]VISOR1 PULL$ 8 HAT
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%\T$ AT ! O!R M5 6G F9D SPIKES & GET !
RAILS SECUR$ S !Y CD BR+ ! WA/E C>S 9 &
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L1V+ ! SITE SUP]VISOR 6HMF 63TEMPLATE !
DESPIK$ RAILS1 HE DID S ONLY BRIEFLY 2F
RAIS+ 8 H1D & LOOK+ AB ! REGRAD+ SITE4
,:5 HE TURN$ 9 ! DIREC;N ( ,CLYDE &!
/OOP$1 HA7>D MAN /&+ AT ! TOP (! CUT1 !
SITE SUP]VISOR PAUS$ L;G 5 6TAKE NOTICE
( !M & !N WALK$ AWAY F ": HE /OOD1 H1D+
D[N ! RAILS 6": ! WA/E C>S 7 L9$ UP )A
SMALL /1M 5G9E IDL+ 2H !M4
  ,! OLD MAN 2S ,CLYDE TOOK 8 LEFT H& F
! POCKET ( 8 TATT]$ COAT & HELD \ 8 PALM
) "S?+ 9 X = ,CLYDE 6SEE4 ,CLYDE LOOK$
D[N & R1LIZ$ X 0 A RAIL SPIKE4 ,! MAN
SNICK]$ & SLID ! SPIKE BACK 96HIS COAT
POCKET4
  8,A S\V5IR10 HE SD1 8= :AT !Y D"O 6MY
H\SE ON ,JACKSON ,/REET ''' & :AT !Y D"O
AG 6MY H\SE ON ! HILL "H4 ,YA C'T /OP
'EM1 ,I'LL TELL YA T4 ,ALL A S\L C D IS
SL[ 'EM D[N40 ,! MAN EY$ ,CLYDE M S]I\S-
LY N[1 SCRUT9IZ+ HM4 8,Y LIVE UP "H ON !
HILL1 DON'T YA80
  ,CLYDE NO4$4
  8,I "K$ ,I'D SE5 YA >.D4 ,>5'T YA
GONNA MOVE \1 TAKE (F1 SELL \1      #DJA
:AT"E X IS YA H 6D 6GET CLE> ( ? MESS40
  ,CLYDE NO4$ 9 ! NEGATIVE ? "T4
  8,T'S :AT ,I ?"\ TOO10 ! MAN W5T ON1
8T Y'RE "O (! HOLD\T P '''0 ,HE PAUS$ &
SQU9T$ AT ,CLYDE4 8,T'S :Y ,I %[$ Y !
SPIKE4 ,I'M N /UPID1 YA "K40
  ,CLYDE _H KEPT QUIET ? :OLE :ILE1 B
"K+ T HE "\ 6SAY "S?+1 HE ASK$1 8,": DID
Y US$ 6LIVE80
  ,! MAN !N TOLD HM H[ HE _H ONCE [N$ A
SMALL H\SE ON ,JACKSON ,/REET1 & H[ T _H
BE5 REGRAD$1 & !N H[ HE'D MOV$ UP 6L[]
,D5NY ,HILL1 J EA/ (! HOTEL T CAME D[N N
L;G AGO1 & 0 R5T+ "O (! R[ H\SES OV] "!
UNTIL !Y REGRAD$ T SIDE (! HILL Z WELL4
,TWICE 9 TWO YE>S HE'D LO/ 8 HOME & N[
HE DIDN'T LIVE ANY":4 ,HE SLEPT "S"TS 9
! TRA9 TUNNEL !Y 7 DI7+ AT ! S\? 5D (
T[N OR 9 ! ALLEYS D[NT[N OR ANY": HE CD
F9D %ELT]4 ,AT NI<T1 HE SD )A RAIS$ EYE-
BR[ AT ,CLYDE1 HE _H PL5TY ( OPPORTUN;Y
= MIS*IEF4
  ,CLYDE FELT SORRY =! MAN 9 8 4PLACE;T1
& WOND]$ IF ,MA4IE & HE WD EV5TU,Y %>E !
SAME PLI<T--BE MADE 6W&] ! C;Y      #DJB
/REETS1 9T5T ON RETALI,N1 FEEBLY & DES-
P]ATELY SEEK+ "S K9D ( REV5GE ON ^? :O
_H CA/ !M \4
  8,I TRU/ Y10 ! MAN SD 6,CLYDE1 )A POKE
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  ,CLYDE /EPP$ BACK F ! MAN & /OOD LOOK+
AT HM = S"EAL L;G MO;TS4 8,BE C>E;L10 HE
W>N$ HM1 LOOK+ /RAI<T 96! MAN'S PALE
EYES1 & )\T SAY+ ANY?+ FUR!R WALK$ AWAY4
  ,HE "U/OOD ! MAN MI<T 2 LOOK+ =A CO-
HORT 9 8 MIS*IEF4 ,YET1 ANGRY Z ,CLYDE 0
AT ! 9JU/ICE (! REGRAD+ & AT ! P :O S
R1DILY -PLI$ )! PROJECT1 HE WASN'T 9CL9$
T[>D ! SORT ( RESI/.E 7IF Y CD CALL X T7
T ! OLD MAN _H TAK5 UP4 ,ULTIMATELY1 X
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  ,OV] ! NEXT S"EAL MON?S1 ! SABOTAG+
3T9U$ AT ! RATE ( "O OR TWO 9CID5TS A
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)! O!R SPECTATORS1 EV5 BETT+ ON A H\SE
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REGUL>LY PULL+ A BOTTLE \ F "UN1? 8 COAT
& TAK+ L;G PULLS F X4 ,Z ! WEEKS W5T BY1
! MAN APPE>$ M WORN-D[N & WANE1 & ON
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  ,"O "D1 :ILE ,CLYDE 0 AT ,?IRD & ,WALL
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NOR?EA/ SIDE (! HILL1 A MAN DRESS$ 9 A
WOR/$ WOOL SUIT & WE>+ A B[L] CAME UP TO
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"WM5 ON ! REGRAD+ CREW4 ,!Y APPROA*$ HM1
X SEEM$1 )A CLE> PURPOSE 9 M9D1 : 9/ANT-
LY PUT ,CLYDE ON 8 GU>D4
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SITE SUP]VISOR HE'D SE5 ! "D ! SPIKES
W5T MISS+ F ! RAIL TRACKS1 GAVE ,CLYDE A
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  8,:AT'S YR PRO#M1 ,MACK10 ,CLYDE B>K$
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  8,NO?+ ) ME10 ! MAN SD4 8,J WANT$ 6SEE
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  ,! SECOND MAN /EPP$ =W>D N[4 8,Y'RE "O
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"R8 ,"O A T GANG ( HOLD\TS UP ON !
HILL10 HE SD1 SPRAY+ ,CLYDE ) 8 TOBA3O-
/A9$ SPITTLE Z HE SPOKE4
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LU2]S WD TURN X AG/ HM4 ,HE LOOK$ F "O
6! O!R & BACK1 LETT+ !M "K T HE WASN'T
AB 6TAKE 8 EYES (F !M S !Y CD SUCK] PUN*
HM4
  8,Y AL "K :O'S BE5 HAV+ _! FUN ) \R
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8,Y LOOK FUNNY ALL "R1 B Y DON'T LOOK .T
/UPID4 ,I'M GO+ 6TELL Y ?1 ?\<4 ,X'S AW-
;LLY ODD H[ Y HAPP5 6ALW 2 >.D WAT*+ U L
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NATE SUMSABIT*ES T WON'T REGRADE L !
RE/4 ,DON'T Y ?9K T'S ODD8 ,Y C SEE1 C'T
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"O (! [N]S ( ,MADISON ,H\SE--& 9 E6ECT1
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! H\SE1 9CLUD+ ,MA4IE1 WASN'T T ! CASE8
,CDN'T HE "R;LLY LAY CLAIM 6! H\SE AF S
_M YE>S8 ,C]TA9LY1 IF N ! LEGAL [N] (!
H\SE1 HE 0 XS KEEP]4 ,& Z S*1 HE MO/ C]-
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  8,I DON'T GIVE A MULE'S ASS :AT Y
?9K10 ,CLYDE SD4 8,MAYBE Y "\TA F9D DIF-
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  ,! "WMAN TOOK A /EP CLOS] & ,CLYDE
CL5*$ UP1 R1DY 6FLAIL ON !M BO? IF X
CAME 6T4 ,HE _H ONLY BE5 9 TWO FI<TS 9 8
LIFE--ONCE 9 ,N1H ,BAY1 :5 HE _H 6PROVE
HMF 6! RE/ (! ,MAKAH KIDS 0TAK+ ON AN
OLD] & /R;G] BOY :O'D BE5 BULLY+ HM1 &A
FEW YE>S LAT]1 :5 A "Y T\< TRI$ 6PU% HM
(F 8 SPOT AT ! SORT+ TA#S AT ! ,CLE ,EL-
UM M9ES & HE _H 6PU% "R BACK4 ,X DIDN'T
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) :E!R Y CD TURN BRUTAL & VICI\S 5 AT !
"R MO;T4 ,:E!R Y 7 WILL+ 6TAKE YR   #DJF
LIFE = GRANT$ 6! DEGREE T X NO L;G] M1NT
ANY?+ 6Y4 ,X DIDN'T MATT] H[ _M FI<TS Y
_H BE5 9 !N1 2C AT T PO9T X WASN'T FI<T+
AT ALL4 ,X 0 SURVIVAL1 RU?.S & ABSOLUTE4
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9 YR BLOOD1 0 AL ! BE/ 9C5TIVE = AVOID+
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2L4
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C1S$ ALT4 ,S9CE ,CLYDE NO L;G] VISIT$ !
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0 / >.D1 _H J G"O ELSE":1 OR P]H _H BE5
>RE/$4 ,"O CLUE 0 T ! NEWSPAP]S REPORT$
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6WAT* ! "W SITES AT NI<T4 ,S MAYBE ! OLD
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"T1 X ALM FELT 6,CLYDE Z IF LIFE 7 RE-
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NOTICE 9 CASE "S?+ CAME UP T ,MA4IE NE$$
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! /ICK & F9D A NEW JOB4



















                                    #DAJ
























       #AF4 ,GOLD & ,LOSS 7#AHIG-   #DAA
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CLU/]$ ON ! SIDEWALKS 9 FRONT ( SALOONS
& D.E HALLS & GAMBL+ JO9TS1 ,MAD-   #DAE
DIE CD SEE T AB HALF ! C;Y 0 / MADE UP
MO/LY ( T5TS4 ,_M FOLKS _H HAUL$ _!
FLAT-BOTTOM$ BOAT UP ONTO "S EMPTY LOT
OR ANO!R1 PIT*$ _! T5T ON TOP ( X1 & !N
US$ ! BOAT Z ! F.D,N =! WOOD5 %ACK !Y 7
3/RUCT+ >.D ! T5T4 ,A GD _M BUILD+S 7
SIMPLY R\<-HEWN LOGS *9K$ ) MUD4 ,O!RS
_H HI<1 ORNATE FACADES1 GIV+ ! APPE>.E (
A PALATIAL 9T]IOR1 B :5 ,MA4IE /EPP$ IN-
SIDE ^! BUILD+S %E CD SEE !Y 7 NO?+ M
?AN BIG "O-ROOM %$S4 ,EV5 ?\< ! M5 _H
TOLD _! WIVES 6/AY 9 ! ROOM AT ! ,M>TO-
NY1 ,MA4IE & ,LAURETTE 7 RE/.S1 & CURI-
\S1 & WANT$ 6LOOK >.D4 ,2SS1 ,MA4IE KNEW
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6*UR* :5 !Y LEFT !M 9 ! HOTEL ROOM T F/
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O!R1 HE FAIL$ 6SAY1 0 FREE 6ROAM ! ,DAW-
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  ,! RAUC\S;S (! T[N A/.D$ ,MA4IE &
,LAURETTE2 X ALM MADE ,S1TTLE'S ,T5D]LO9
4TRICT LOOK TAME 0-P>ISON4 ,HALF ! M5 7
DRUNK &! O!R HALF WELL ON _! WAY    #DAF
62+ DRUNK4 ,PIANO MUSIC & LAU<T] P\R$ \
(! D.E HALLS & !AT]S1 & %\T+ & O3A.NAL
GUNFIRE S.D$ F E SALOON4 ,F ,FRONT
,/REET1 ": M ?AN A DOZ5 /1M]S & PA4LE-
:EEL]S 7 DOCK$ & ": MO/ (! HOTELS 7 SIT-
UAT$ 6A3OMMODATE PROSPECTORS -+ (F !
BOATS1 A TIDE ( P SPR1D \ "? ! SIDE
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,!AT] 0 LOCAT$1 SEEM$ ! MO/ RAUC\S /REET
( ALL4 ,MA4IE & ,LAURETTE LOOK$ 9SIDE !
FRONT 5TR.E (! ,PALACE ,GR& & Z !Y DID A
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,/AMP$E ,D.E ,HALL1 !Y CD SEE M "Y WOM5
9SIDE AT ? S+LE LOC,N ?AN !Y _H SE5 YET
9 ! 5TIRE C;Y1 ": ! RATIO ( M5 6WOM5
SEEM$ AB FIFTY-TO-"O4 ,! WOM51 ) _! HAIR
D"O UP 9 HI< BUNS AB _! H1D1 CORSAGES
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UP 6! WOM51 ESCORT$ !M 6! B> =A GLASS (
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(F 6! R[ ( PRIVATE BOO?S 9 ! F> BACK
CORN] (! D.E HALL4
  ,AT ,MADAME ,TREMBLAY'S ,G5]AL ,/ORE
ON ,K+ ,/REET1 ,MA4IE & ,LAURETTE TR1T$
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\ (! ALLEY1 & /&+ 9 S"EAL DOORWAYS OR
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NO?+ M ?AN _! "USKIRTS & CORSET COV]S
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SPOTT$ ! FIGURE (A MAN %E ?"\ %E RECOG-
NIZ$--,*E/]1 NO LESS--EXIT A H\SE )A FA/
/EP & SWIFTLY TURN ! CORN] AT ! NEXT
BLOCK4 ,YET 2C %E SAW ONLY ! FIGURE'S
BACK & X 0 S D>K & AT S* A 4T.E1    #DAH
%E 4MISS$ ! IDEA T ! FIGURE 0 H] HUSB& &
ASSUR$ H]F T X CD H BE5 ANYBODY--?\< !
IMAGE (! FIGURE1 & AN A3OMPANY+ D\BT1
L+]$ 9 H] M9D4
  8,"!'RE TOO _M M5 9 ? T[N10 ,MA4IE SD
6,LAURETTE1 :O 0 PE]+ D[N ! ALLEY )A
LOOK ( CURIOS;Y ON H] FACE1 & !N FOLL[$
,MA4IE Z %E MOV$ ON4
  ,! NEXT AFN :5 ,*E/] CAME UP 6! ROOM
6TELL !M AB 3TRACT+ 6"W ,ELDORADO
,CREEK1 HE AL 9=M$ !M T WOM5 W]5'T P]-
MITT$ 9 ! CAMPS & S ,MA4IE & ,LAURETTE
WD H 6REMA9 9 ,DAWSON4 8,WE'RE GO+ 6HAUL
\R \TFIT 6CAMP10 HE TOLD !M1 8& !N "O (
U1 ME OR ,MORRIS1 W -E BACK 6T[N E MON?
OR S 6CA% 9 \R GOLD & MAKE SURE Y TWO
GIRLS >E ALL "R40 ,HE !N H&$ ,MA4IE "O
HUNDR$ DOLL>S--M"OY HE _HN'T DIVULG$
HAV+ ! "D 2F--& TOLD !M ? %D TIDE !M OV]
=! F/ MON? AT L1/4
  ,MORRIS CAME 0A %ORT :ILE LAT] 6SP1K
6,LAURETTE1 &! NEXT MORN+ ! TWO WOM5 SD
_! GDBYES 6_! HUSB&S Z ! TWO M5 H1D$ (F
96! WILD];S4 ,Z SOON Z !Y 7 G"O1 ,MA4IE
QKLY CALCULAT$ T "O HUNDR$ DOLL>S   #DAI
WD N /RET* V F> IF %E & ,LAURETTE _H TO
/AY 9 ! ,M>TONY ,HOTEL ALL MON? & REMEM-
B]$ SEE+ A 8,= ,LET0 SIGN 9 A W9D[ ABV
AN \TFITT+ /ORE ON ,DUKE ,/REET4 ,%E
SU7E/$ 6,LAURETTE T !Y LOOK 96X )\T FUR-
!R DELAY1 & 0T AFN !Y 7 MOV$ 96_! TWO-
ROOM A"P;T ABV ! /ORE--)A D\# B$1 WA%/&1
& DRESS] & MIRROR 9 ! "O ROOM1 &A TWO-
PLATE /OVE &A TA# ) F\R MAT*+ /RAI<T-
BACK *AIRS ) B>LEY-TWI/ LEGS 9 ! SECOND
ROOM4 ,%E !N W5T BACK 6! ,M>TONY ,HOTEL
& LEFT A NOTE = ,*E/] AT ! FRONT DESK
SAY+ ": %E & ,LAURETTE _H G"O TO4
  ,MA4IE DIDN'T "K :AT 6MAKE (! >RANGE-
;TS !Y _H MADE ) _! HUSB&S4 ,9 "O RE-
SPECT %E 0 RELIEV$ N 6H 6V5TURE 96! WIL-
D];S1 B 9 ANO!R RESPECT %E 0 FRU/RAT$ AT
2+ /R&$ 9 ,DAWSON ,C;Y = "O MON?1 TWO
MON?S1 SIX MON?S1 :O KNEW H[ L;G8 ,=! F/
TWO WEEKS AF ! M5'S DE"PURE1 ,LAURETTE
P9$ = H] HUSB&1 CRY+ NE>LY E NI<T 9 H]
L"OLI;S UNTIL ,MA4IE HELD H] 9 H] >MS 9
! D\# B$ !Y %>$ & CRADL$ H] 6SLEEP4
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SIDE1 ESPECI,Y Z ! COLD & D>K (     #DBJ
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WEEK1 ,MA4IE1 ALR GR[+ RE/.S1 5T]$ ! \T-
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/RESS & 0 PUT 6"W ON ! SPOT 0,E4 ,W4
,BLAYTON1 ! /ORE'S PROPRIETOR1 SEW+
PELTS & FURS 96HATS1 GLOVES & BOOT L9+S
AT A RATE ( "O DOLL> = EA* ITEM1 : ,E4
,W4 ,BLAYTON !N SOLD = FIVE 6T5 DOLL>S
APIECE4 ,:5 ,LAURETTE F9,Y 2GAN 6GET PA/
H] P9+ = H] ABS5T HUSB&1 %E GOT UP "O
MORN+1 UNPACK$ A DRESS PATT]N & V>I\S
FABRICS F H] TRUNK1 & J L T 2GAN CUTT+1
SEW+1 & TRIMM+ A NEW DRESS = H]F4 ,MA4IE
0 AMAZ$4
  8,I _H NO IDEA Y 7 S* A DRESSMAK]10 %E
EXCLAIM$ 6,LAURETTE OV] ! TEA !Y MADE
EA* MORN+ ON _! SMALL COOK/OVE4 8,I C'T
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  8,X'S J "S?+ 6PASS ! "T10 ,LAURETTE SD
9 H] DI6ID5T MANN]4 8,MY "M %[$ ME H[ :5
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/RIP$ POPL9 CLO?4 8,I CD MAKE Y "O IF Y
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8,I WD J NE$ 6TAKE YR M1SURE;TS40
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DRESS1 ESPECI,Y "O T ,LAURETTE MADE =
H]1 & !N SU7E/$ T ,E4 ,W4 ,BLAYTON MI<T
LET ,LAURETTE USE ! SEW+ MA*9E 9 ! BACK
ROOM (! \TFITT+ /ORE D[N/AIRS4 ,LAURETTE
AGRE$ T T WD MAKE H] TASK A :OLE LOT
EASI]4
  ,:5 ,*E/]1 9/1D ( ,MORRIS1 RETURN$ TO
,DAWSON 9 ,DECEMB]1 ,LAURETTE CRI$ EV5
H>D] ?AN %E _H :5 H] HUSB& F/ LEFT =!
GOLD FIELDS FIVE WEEKS E>LI]4 ,:ILE
,LAURETTE 0 D[N/AIRS SEW+ H] DRESSES1
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,HE 0 R\< ) H]1 N J HUNGRY = H]1 B =CE;L
& ALM ANGRY SEEM+ ''' & %E DID N L X4
,AF 8 F/ "D BACK1 HE MO/LY /AY$ AWAY1
/UMBL+ BACK 6! A"P;T DRUNK WELL AF ,MAD-
DIE & ,LAURETTE _H FALL5 ASLEEP1 & !N
WAK+ !M UP ) 8 FUMBL+ DRUNK5;S4 ,ONCE1
:5 HE _H UNDRESS$ & TRI$ 6CLIMB 96! B$ )
!M1 ,MA4IE _H 6DRIVE HM 96! NEXT ROOM ":
%E'D LAID A PALLET & B$ROLL ON ! FLOOR
NEXT 6! /OVE = HM4 ,9 ! MORN+1 ,*E/]
REV1L$ 6H] T HE & ,MORRIS _H E>N$   #DBB
J 5 "W+ ! M9ES =! -PANY T [N$ MO/ (!
,ELDORADO /AKE 6RESUPPLY !MVS = ANO!R
MON?1 & S X 0 A GD ?+ T %E 0 "W+ =! \T-
FITT]S 2C "! 0 LL 6SP>E F T MON?'S TAKE4
,HE TOLD H]1 TOO1 T HE & ,MORRIS _H MADE
ONLY "O EXP$I;N1 )A FEW O!R M5 & _! DOG
T1MS1 6! PLACES ON ! MAP T SUPPOS$LY RE-
MA9$ 6BE /AK$1 YET "EY": !Y LOOK$ EI
CLAIMS _H ALR BE5 /AK$ OR ELSE "! WASN'T
A MITE ( GOLD DU/ 6BE F.D & !Y 5D$ UP
RETURN+ 6! ,ELDORADO CAMP4 ,HE ASSUR$
,MA4IE T HE & ,MORRIS WD EV5TU,Y /AKE A
CLAIM & T :5 !Y DID1 !Y WD /RIKE PAYDIRT
9 NO "T1 & ALL ( !M WD G BACK 6,S1TTLE
FIL?Y RI*4 8,"!'RE A LOT ( M5 \ "! "R N[
IS ALL10 HE SD4 8,! COLD IS DRIV+ A GD
_M BACK 6T[N1 & T'S :5 WE'LL H \R *.E40
  ,! NEXT "D1 ! SAME MORN+ ON : ,*E/]
LEFT ,DAWSON 6RETURN 6! ,ELDORADO CAMP1
0 ! COLDE/ "D YET4 ,SN[ _H COV]$ ! GR.D
S9CE ! SECOND WEEK AF _! >RIVAL 9 ,DAW-
SON1 B ! TEMP]ATURE UNTIL N[ _H REMA9$
RELATIVELY MILD1 HOV]+ J 2L ! FREEZ+
PO9T4 ,? "D1 ?\<1 0 SU45LY & DRAMATIC,Y
DI6]5T4 ,E *IMNEY 9 ! C;Y BELL[$    #DBC
SMOKE1 & E W9D[PANE 0 COAT$ 9 FRO/ ON !
\TSIDE &1 IF ! 9HABITANTS _H ANY WITS AB
!M1 COV]$ ) BROADCLO? ON ! 9SIDE 6TRY TO
KEEP \ ! DRAFTS Z BE/ Z POSSI#4 ,MA4IE
SEW$ H]F & ,LAURETTE EXTRA ?ICK FUR HATS
& GLOVES F B1V] PELTS & AL MADE !M EA*
BE> FUR SLIPP]S 6WE> AB ! A"P;T4 ,LAU-
RETTE1 M1N:ILE1 B>GA9$ 6MAKE A DRESS =!
LADY FR (A MAN :O'D -E 96! \TFITT+ /ORE
9 EX*ANGE =! TWO WOOL BLANKETS HE'D J
PUR*AS$ F ,E4 ,W4 ,BLAYTON4 ,! TWO BLAN-
KETS W5T /RAI<T ONTO H] & ,MA4IE'S B$ T
NI<T & W>M$ _! BODIES & LIFT$ _! _SS
3SID]ABLY4
  ,YET :5 ! WOM5 RCVD ^W F "S"O :O'D -E
6T[N F ! ,ELDORADO CAMP T NEI ,*E/] NOR
,MORRIS WD 2 RETURN+ 6,DAWSON =! NEXT
?REE MON?S ON A3.T ( HAV+ 6WAIT \ ! WOR/
(! W9T] 9 CAMP1 ,LAURETTE GREW DESPON-
D5T4 ,MA4IE TRI$ 6*E] H] UP 0BR++ S"EAL
FIR SPRIGS 96! A"P;T & DECORAT+ !M ) R$
& :ITE RI2ONS = ,*RI/MAS1 & GIV+ H] A
TAILOR$ SILK BELT =A PRES5T ON ,*RI/MAS
MORN+ &A SPLA% ( :ISKEY 9 H] TEA1 B NO?+
SEEM$ 6HE>T5 H]4 ,!N ON ! EVE (!    #DBD
,NEW ,YE>1 ,MA4IE SU7E/$ T !Y G 6A D.E
HALL4
  8,WE WON'T TELL ANY"O10 ,MA4IE SD :5
,LAURETTE GAVE H] A 3C]N$ LOOK1 & A4$1
8,WE DES]VE A LL AMUSE;T1 DON'T WE8 ,H[
L;G C WE /AY COOP$ UP 9 ^! ROOMS )\T GO+
/IR-CRAZY80
  ,! ,KLONDYKE ,D.E ,EMPORIUM 0 "O (A
DOZ5 D.E HALLS 9 ,DAWSON ,C;Y4 ,Z BE/ Z
,MA4IE CD TELL1 & Z F> Z 0 EV5 POSSI# 9
,DAWSON1 X SEEM$ 6BE A SEMI-RESPECTA#
E/ABLI%;T4 ,EV5 ?\< WOM5 7 N TYPIC,Y AL-
L[$ 96D.E HALLS UNA3OMPANI$1 UN.S X 0
"U/OOD T !Y 7 GD-"T GIRLS1 ,MA4IE DIDN'T
C>E1 %E WANT$ 6DR9K *AMPAGNE ) ,LAURETTE
& D.E )A MAN OR TWO4 ,2SS1 X 0 / E>LY BY
,DAWSON /&>DS1 ONLY T5 O'C1 :5 ! TWO (
!M 5T]$ ! D.E HALL & F.D A TA# N F> F !
PIANO1 ": A MAN 9 %IRT SLEEVES1 A B[TIE1
&A B[L] SAT ME*ANIC,Y RUNN+ 8 F+]S OV] !
KEYS4 ,! ,EMPORIUM _H N EV5 GOTT5 BUSY
YET 0ANY /RET*4 ,S :5 ! PIANO MAN 2GAN
PLAY+ AN UPB1T WALTZ1 ,MA4IE & ,LAURETTE
/OOD UP1 /EPP$ ONTO ! D.E FLOOR1 & -M;ED
GUID+ EA* O!R AB 9 _! BE/ R5DI;N    #DBE
(A WALTZ /EP4 ,! PIANO MAN SMIL$ OV] 8
%\LD] AT !M & !Y LAU<$ AT !MVS & :5 !
NUMB] 0 OV] !Y SCURRI$ BACK 6_! S1TS4
,:5 A H&"S "Y MAN 9 A /RIP$ SUIT )A
PRESS$ COLL> CAME UP 6_! TA# & POLITELY
ASK$ ,LAURETTE =! NEXT D.E1 %E LOOK$ TO
,MA4IE1 :O APPRECIAT$ ! "Y MAN'S APPE>.E
& MANN]S1 & NO4$ 6H] FR 6G AH1D4 ,T
NI<T1 ,LAURETTE D.ED ) ?REE O!R M5 &
,MA4IE ) TWO4 ,!Y 7 BO? M ?AN A LL TIPSY
ON *AMPAGNE--: ! G5TLEM5 !Y D.ED ) KEPT
BUY+ !M--:5 !Y AGRE$ !Y'D _H 5 AMUSE;T =
"O NI<T1 DECL9$ ALL FUR!R 9VIT,NS 6D.E1
& AF RETRIEV+ _! COATS1 HATS1 & GLOVES F
! COAT*ECK GIRL1 WOVE _! WAY >M 9 >M "?
! COLD /REETS & BACK 6_! A"P;T ABV ! \T-
FITT+ /ORE4
  ,! NEXT WEEK1 ,LAURETTE MADE TWO NEW
DRESSES AF BUY+ EXTRA FABRIC F A WELL-
/OCK$ DRY GDS /ORE 9 T[N4 ,AL T WEEK1 Z
%E 3FESS$ 6,MA4IE ONLY AF %E'D RETURN$
6! A"P;T LATE "O NI<T1 %E'D G"O DANC+
AG1 ? "T AT ! ,FLORADORA ,D.E ,HALL4
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& 0 EV5 M %OCK$ :5 ! FOLL[+ WEEK1   #DBF
,LAURETTE TOLD H] T %E PLANN$ 6"W AT !
,FLORADORA 6E>N A LL EXTRA M"OY4
  8,I C MAKE ?IRTY-FIVE DOLL>S A WEEK J
= DANC+ )! FELLAS10 %E EXPLA9$ 6,MA4IE1
8ON TOP (A QU>T] = E DR9K ,I SELL40
  ,MA4IE MADE SURE T ,LAURETTE CD PLA9LY
SEE :AT 0 ON H] M9D :5 ,LAURETTE TOLD H]
? S CASU,Y4 ,?\< %E LOOK$ /]NLY AT ,LAU-
RETTE1 9SIDE ,MA4IE WANT$ 6CRY4 ,!Y BO?
KNEW WELL 5 T MO/ D.E HALL GIRLS PROVID$
S]VICES 6M5 ABV & 2Y SIMPLY KEEP+ !M
-PANY AT _! TA# OR LETT+ !M L1D !M ACR !
D.E FLOOR4 ,_M (! SAME GIRLS :O "W$ 9 !
D.E HALLS RESID$ 9 ,P>ADISE ,ALLEY1 :
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L;G R[ ( ALLEY H\SES T %E & ,LAURETTE _H
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,MA4IE FELT RESPONSI# = BR++ ,LAURETTE
6! ,KLONDYKE ,D.E ,EMPORIUM ON T ,NEW
,YE>'S ,EVE NI<T &1 F> WORSE1 WORRI$ :AT
WD 2COME ( H] FR IF %E CDN'T TALK H] \ (
2COM+ A D.E HALL GIRL AT ! ,FLORADORA4
  8,X'S OKAY10 ,LAURETTE REASSUR$ H]4
8,I'M / WAIT+ = MY GOLD K+ 6-E HOME4
,X'S J T WE NE$ ! M"OY4 ,& X'S      #DBG
"S?+ ,I C D1 "S": ,I C G '''0 ,%E LOOK$
AB ! A"P;T 9 : ! COLD _H KEPT !M P5N$ UP
E NI<T & MO/ "DS1 & !N CAME UP 6,MA4IE &
HU7$ H]4 8,:5 ,MORRIS RETURNS & WE H M
M"OY1 ,I'LL QUIT X = SURE40
  ,MA4IE CD N C.T] H] FR'S R1SON+4 ,%E
5JOY$ ! D.E HALLS H]F1 & 9 A WAY %E 5VI$
,LAURETTE'S ADV5TURE"S;S--?\< %E AL KNEW
(! P]ILS 9VOLV$4 ,( C\RSE ,LAURETTE 0
L"OLY1 Z 0 %E1 & NO D\BT L;G$ =! -PAN-
ION%IP & DIV].N (! D.E HALL EV5 M ?AN !
M"OY %E WD MAKE4 ,P]H1 ,MA4IE WOND]$1 IF
%E 7 Z ATTRACTIVE Z ,LAURETTE--^: S(T1
ALM BABYI% F1TURES & ABUNDANT BR[N HAIR
GAVE H] S* A G5TLE1 2COM+ B1UTY--MAYBE
!N %E H]F WD V5TURE \ J Z ,LAURETTE 0
DO+4 ,! NO;N _H M ?AN A LL APP1L4 ,%E
MISS$ HAV+ A MAN'S BODY 2S H]1 & ON TOP
( H]--& 9 H]4 ,%E MISS$ 8 RANK SMELL &
SALTY SWEET;S4 ,%E MISS$ GIV+ HM 8 PL1S-
URE1 & %E MISS$ HAV+ H] [N4 ,YET1 2Y J
H[ A GIRL LOOK$1 ,MA4IE KNEW %E AL LACK$
! BOLD _S = S* AUDACI\S ADV5TURES1 J Z
%E AL KNEW %E WD WORRY = H] FR & WD TRY
6MAKE SURE ,LAURETTE DID N GET      #DBH
96ANY TR\#4 ,%E WD MISS H] FR'S -PANY ^U
AN EV5+ Z WELL1 ESPECI,Y N[ T D>K;S PRE-
SID$ OV] MO/ (! "D"T H\RS Z WELL Z ! L;G
NI<TS4

  ,! M5 REMA9$ 9 CAMP ALL W9T]4 ,?\< %E
DIDN'T L X1 ,MA4IE KNEW T'S J H[ X WAS--
T ! BANKS (! CREEKS 7 M9$ DUR+ ! W9T]
MON?S & :5 ! SPR+ ?AW CAME ! PAY GRAVEL
0 SLUIC$ )! RUN(F F ! SN[ MELT4 ,-E
SPR+1 :5 ,*E/] & ,MORRIS RETURN$ 6,DAW-
SON1 %E & ,LAURETTE WD "K :E!R _! HUSB&S
_H /RUCK PAYDIRT OR N4 ,EV5 IF !Y N"E
MANAG$ 6/AKE A CLAIM ( _! [N1 IF ! CLAIM
!Y'D 3TRACT$ 6"W CAME "? 9 A BIG WAY1
!Y'D / D ALL "R4 ,! PROSPECT GAVE H]
HOPE4 ,HOPE T ,*E/] WD F9D 8 L;G-S"\-AF
RI*ES1 T ,LAURETTE & ,MORRIS WD 2 RE-
UNIT$1 & T %E WD F9,Y GET 6RETURN 6,S1T-
TLE4 ,"S"TS1 ?\<1 SU/A9+ ? SLIV] ( HOPE
9 ! L;G D>K;S & SEV]E COLD (! ,F> ,NOR?
SEEM$ 6*ALL5GE ,MA4IE 2Y :AT %E ?"\ %E
CD 5DURE4 ,"S"TS1 %E ?"\ T IF ! ,YUKON &
,KLONDIKE ,RIV]S W]5'T BO? FROZ5 OV]
SOLID1 %E MI<T JUMP 96"O OR ANO!R   #DBI
( ^? RIV]S & H AN 5D 6ALL ? MIS]Y4
  ,0,FEBRU>Y1 ,LAURETTE 0 SP5D+ E NI<T
AT ! ,FLORADORA ,D.E ,HALL & RETURN+ 6_!
ROOMS ABV ! \TFITT+ /ORE WELL PA/ MID-
NI<T4 ,%E SLEPT MO/ (! "D 9 ! D\# B$1 &
,MA4IE WD ONLY SEE H] UP & AB Z %E DRANK
A CUP ( TEA 9 ! E>LY EV5+ & DRESS$ 6G
BACK 6! D.E HALL4 ,) H] EXTRA M"OY1 %E
B"\ H]F TWO NEW DRESSES1 S9CE %E NO L;G]
_H "T 6MAKE !M H]F4 ,MA4IE ?"\ ! /ORE-
B"\ DRESSES 7 N NE>LY Z PRETTY OR WELL
MADE Z ,LAURETTE'S [N4 ,%E AL B"\ L;G
SILK EV5+ GLOVES & TWO NEW HATS ) TA6ETA
FL[]S BUR/+ F !M1 : ,MA4IE ?"\ A BIT EX-
TRAVAGANT = LIFE 9 ! ,YUKON4 ,!N "O NI<T
,LAURETTE DID N RETURN 6_! ROOMS AT ALL1
& 9 ! BITT]1 LIFE.S COLD (! MORN+ ,MA4IE
W5T \ LOOK+ = H]4 ,AN H\R LAT]1 :5 ,MAD-
DIE CAME BACK1 ,LAURETTE 0 9 ! B$ SLEEP+
S.DLY1 H] /ORE-B"\ DRESS ?R[N ON ! FLOOR
9 ! CORN] (! ROOM4 ,MA4IE PUT S"EAL
LUMPS ( COAL 96! SMALL /OVE & W5T D[N-
/AIRS 6SEW S"EAL PAIRS ( GLOVES--RELIEV$
T ,LAURETTE _H RETURN$ SAFELY1 B ANGRY
AT HAV+ BE5 MADE 6WORRY S OV] H]4   #DCJ
  ,LAT] T AFN1 :5 %E CAME BACK UP/AIRS1
%E CAME "R \ & A3US$ ,LAURETTE ( 2+ A
GD-"T GIRL4 ,/ 9 B$1 ,LAURETTE SIMPLY
ROLL$ OV] )A GRUM# & FAC$ ! WALL Z IF %E
_HN'T HE>D ,MA4IE'S *>GES4 ,:5 ,MA4IE SD
! ^WS AG1 ? "T L\D & CLE>1 ,LAURETTE SAT
UP ABRUPTLY & SD 6,MA4IE /]NLY1 8,:AT (
X8 ,:AT IF ,I AM8 ,I DON'T NE$ Y MOLLY-
CO4L+ ME4 ,I C TAKE C>E ( MYF10 & SLID
BACK D[N 96! B$ & PULL$ ! COV]S UP OV]
H] H1D4
  8,"! >E M5 \ "! :O W HURT Y10 ,MA4IE
SD1 FI<T+ BACK ! TE>S GA!R+ 9 H] EYES4
8,I DON'T WANT MY WOND];L SWEET ,LAU-
RETTE 6GET HURT40 ,MA4IE KNEW %E 0 3TRA-
DICT+ H] [N L;G+S 9 REPROA*+ ,LAURETTE1
9 TAK+ ON ! T"O ( "RE\S GU>DIAN ) H] FR4
,B %E AL KNEW T :AT %E SD 0 TRUE4 ,_M
GIRLS 9 ,DAWSON ,C;Y 7 B1T5 & ABUS$1
*EW$ UP & 4C>D$1 L S M* DOG M1T4
  ,LAURETTE !N SAT UP AG & LOOK$ AT
,MA4IE /&+ 9 ! CORN] ACR ! ROOM F ! B$4
8,I WON'T GET HURT10 %E SD4 8,I PROM-
ISE40 ,%E LOOK$ S SWEETLY AT ,MA4IE T
,MA4IE FELT %E WD GIVE ANY?+ 6DE-   #DCA
LIV] ,LAURETTE F ? WRET*$ T[N & ^! HOR-
RID CIRCUM/.ES4 8,! GIRLS TAKE C>E ( "O
ANO!R4 ,T'S H[ !Y MAKE X40
  ,MA4IE LOOK$ K9DLY1 SORR[;LLY ON ,LAU-
RETTE1 & HE>D ! S9C];Y 9 H] VOICE4 ,%E
WD N1 %E DECID$1 SP1K ,MORRIS'S "N 6H]
"R N[1 EV5 ?\< %E'D PLANN$ TO4 ,T WD J 2
TOO CRUEL4 ,9 _M WAYS1 ,LAURETTE 0 "R AB
A GIRL TRY+ 6MAKE X 9 ,DAWSON4 ,"! 7 FEW
O!R OP;NS4 ,UN.S A GIRL 0 ALR M>RI$ 6A
M9]--: (T5 DIDN'T "W \1 Z %E SEEM$ 6BE
4COV]+ = H]F--!N 2+ A GD-"T GIRL 0 AB A
GIRL'S ONLY *.E AT "S (! GOLD T PASS$ "?
! T[N4 ,& EV5 IF ,MA4IE _H H] M.T+ D\BTS
AB ,*E/]1 %E / 2LIEV$ T ,MORRIS WD -E "?
= ,LAURETTE4 ,& ? 2LIEF1 9 GRT "P1
SPURR$ H] 3C]N = H] FR4
  8,I "K10 %E SD1 8,I "K10 & !N CAME ACR
! ROOM1 SAT D[N ON ! SIDE (! B$1 & HU7$
,LAURETTE & DIDN'T WANT 6LET H] G4 ,:5
%E DID F9,Y PULL AWAY1 %E PUT A H& 6H]
FR'S HAIR & SD1 8,Y'RE L MY V [N DE> LL
SI/]4 ,T'S H[ ,I ?9K ( Y4 ,& ,I CDN'T =-
GIVE MYF IF "S?+ HAPP5$ 6Y40
  ,LAURETTE TOOK ,MA4IE'S O!R H&    #DCB
& HELD X 6H] HE>T4 8,?ANK Y10 %E SD1 &
KISS$ ,MA4IE'S PALM4 8,Y'RE A WOND];L
SI/] 6H4 ,Y TRULY >E40
  ,Z ! W9T] MON?S DRA7$ ON1 ,MA4IE SAW
LESS & LESS ( ,LAURETTE4 ,IF ,LAURETTE
CAME BACK 6! ROOMS1 X 0 USU,Y 9 ! MORN+
9 ORD] 6SLEEP--A H1VY1 UNMOV+ SLEEP--UN-
TIL %E RETURN$ 6! ,FLORADORA 9 ! EV5+4
,:5 !Y DID %>E A CUP ( TEA1 OR ON "O OC-
CA.N A BOTTLE ( *AMPAGNE T ,LAURETTE
BR"\ BACK 6! ROOMS ) H]1 ,LAURETTE SEEM$
TIR$ B G5],Y ANIMAT$ & 9 GD _SS4 ,!Y DID
N HE> ANY M F EI ,*E/] OR ,MORRIS AF A
C\PLE ( LRS 7 DELIV]$ 6!M 9 ,JANU>Y F !
GOLD FIELDS1 & NEI WOMAN ANY L;G] SPOKE
( H] HUSB&4 ,LAURETTE1 ,MA4IE NOTIC$1 _H
L;G AGO /OPP$ WE>+ H] W$D+ B&4 ,X 0 2G9-
N+ 6SEEM Z IF ! TWO M5 _H N"E EXI/$ 9 _!
LIVES & T ,MA4IE & ,LAURETTE _H J MAGI-
C,Y >RIV$ 9 ,DAWSON ,C;Y 0!MVS & 7 PRE-
S5T$ ) ? SP>E & R\T9E LIFE T !Y N[ DRA7$
!MVS "?4
  ,!N "O "D 9 E>LY ,APRIL1 :5 S"EAL FEET
( SN[ REMA9$ BANK$ AL;G ! SIDE ( E
BUILD+ 9 ,DAWSON &! /REETS REMA9$   #DCC
L;G %EETS ( ICE1 ,MA4IE CAME UP/AIRS 6_!
A"P;T 6F9D ,LAURETTE ) H] DRESS PATT]NS1
BOLTS ( FABRIC1 & SEW+ %E>S LAID \ ACR !
FLOOR4
  8,I'M MAK+ A DRESS = "O (! GIRLS10 %E
ANN\NC$1 ATTIR$ 9 J H] PETTICOATS & COR-
SET COV] &) H] BE> FUR SLIPP]S ON H]
FEET4 8,GRACIE IS MY SAME EXACT SIZE1 S
,I C USE ^! OLD PATT]NS = H]40
  ,9 ! TWO WEEKS FOLL[+1 ,LAURETTE MADE
TWO M DRESSES = GIRLS :O AL "W$ AT !
,FLORADORA4 ,%E EV5 REPORT$ 6,MA4IE T
TWO (! GIRLS %E MADE DRESSES = (F]$ 6PAY
H] IF %E WD CU/OMIZE ! DRESSES 6_! EXACT
SPECIFIC,NS--"O WANT$ A WID] NECKL9E 6%[
(F H] ATTRACTIVE COLL>B"O2 ! O!R WANT$ A
FANCY COLL> 63C1L H] SA7+ NECK--& IF !Y
CD PICK \ ! MAT]IAL = !MVS4 ,LAURETTE
A3EPT$ _! (F] & W5T BUSILY 6"W ON ! TWO
DRESSES4 ,!N1 AT ! 5D ( ,APRIL1 & \ (!
BLUE1 %E ASK$ ,MA4IE IF %E WD HELP H]
OP5 A DRESS %OP1 & !N PRODUC$ F H] TRUNK
A ROLL ( BILLS T AM.T$ 6OV] A ?\S& DOL-
L>S1 : %E _H BE5 SAV+ S9CE ,JANU>Y :5 %E
/>T$ "W+ AT ! ,FLORADORA4           #DCD
  ,MA4IE 0 BO? %OCK$ & DELI<T$4 ,%E R1D-
ILY 3S5T$ 6! V5TURE1 &! NEXT "D %E >-
RANG$ ) ,E4 ,W4 ,BLAYTON1 ! PROPRIETOR (
! \TFITT+ /ORE1 6R5T ! TWO BACK ROOMS (
8 /ORE 6USE Z _! DRESS %OP4 ,E4,W4 AGRE$
& EV5 (F]$ 6H A SIGN MADE UP--8,! ,L&,M
,DRESS ,%OP0--A "N T 0 ,LAURETTE'S IDEA4
  8,L ! RAILROAD10 SD ,MA4IE1 "E ! RAIL-
ROAD "W]'S DAU<T]4
  8,PRECISELY10 ,LAURETTE REPLI$1 &!
NEXT WEEK1 AF /OCK+ ! BACK ROOM ) SAMPLE
FABRICS 7: !Y SECUR$ 9 L>G] SWA?S F !
DRY GDS /ORE7 & DRAW+S & PATT]NS = S"EAL
DI6]5T DRESS /YLES1 ,LAURETTE QUIT !
,FLORADORA ,D.E ,HALL1 ,MA4IE QUIT MAK+
GLOVES & HATS = ,BLAYTON'S ,\TFITT+1 &
!Y OP5$ ! ,L&,M ,DRESS ,%OP = BUSI;S4
,6GET ! ^W \1 !Y PLAC$ A SMALL ANN\NCE;T
9 ! .,DAWSON .,DAILY .,NU7ET & PO/$ H&-
PR9T$ FLY]S BACK/AGE AT ALL ! !AT]S &
D.E HALLS 9 T[N =! GIRLS 6SEE4 ,=! F/ "T
9 ALL _! _M L;G MON?S 9 ,DAWSON ,C;Y1
,MA4IE FELT Z IF %E & ,LAURETTE MI<T
H"O/LY MAKE X1 T !Y WD N ONLY P]SEV]E B
PROSP]4                             #DCE
  ,"R AWAY "Y & OLD LADIES ALIKE1 _M F !
T[N'S DEMIMONDE1 B AL "S F ! M RESPECTA#
S\? 5D NE> ! C\RTH\SE1 7 5T]+ ! %OP4 ,AT
F/ ,LAURETTE WD D ALL (! FITT+S 9 ! F/
ROOM1 S9CE %E 0 ACQUA9T$ ) _M (! GIRLS &
WD *AT !M UP Z !Y 3SID]$ /YLES & SIZES1
:ILE ,MA4IE DID M* (! CUTT+ & SEW+ ON !
OLD ,BELMONT SEW+ MA*9E 9 ! SECOND ROOM4
,:5 !Y DID N H /&+ ORD]S1 !Y MADE SIMPLE
H\SEDRESSES & NI<TG[NS1 : !Y SOLD (F A
RACK 9 ! F/ ROOM4 ,E4 ,W4 ,BLAYTON1 SEE+
T _! %OP ATTRACT$ M BUSI;S ?AN 8 [N /ORE
7! GOLD /AMP$E HAV+ ALR 2GUN 6PET] \71
GAVE !M ! :OLE FRONT W9D[ ON ! LEFT SIDE
(! DOOR 64PLAY _! GDS & RAIS$ _! R5T BY
TWO DOLL>S A WEEK4
  ,LAURETTE DID N SEEM 6MISS ! GD-"T
LIFE %E'D _H :ILE "W+ AT ! ,FLORADORA1 &
,MA4IE 0 PR\D ( H] = HAV+ MADE ! *ANGE 9
PROFES.NS--& C1S$ WORRY+ AB H]4 ,X
WASN'T UNTIL ,JUNE T !Y RCVD ! LR F
,MORRIS SAY+ ONLY T HE WD 2 RETURN+ TO
,DAWSON AT ! 5D (! MON?4 ,8 RETIC;E1
-B9$ )! LR'S G5]AL LACK ( 9=M,N & N A
S+LE M5;N ( ,*E/]1 GAVE ! S+LE      #DCF
PAGE ( SCRAWL$ LR+ AN OM9\S FEEL4 ,LAU-
RETTE APPE>$ BO? ELAT$ & APPREH5SIVE AB
H] HUSB&'S ANN\NC$ RETURN1 :ILE AL TRY+
6ALLAY ,MA4IE'S GR[+ 3C]N T "S H>M _H
P]H 2FALL5 ,*E/]4 8,MORRIS N"E 0 A V GD
LR WRIT]10 %E TOLD H]4 ,"?\T ! W9T] BO?
WOM5 _H S5T LRS )! M5 :O DELIV]$ SUP-
PLIES P]IODIC,Y 6! ,ELDORADO ,CREEK
CAMPS 0DOGSL$1 B !Y N"E KNEW IF _! HUS-
B&S RCVD ! LRS4 ,9 _! MO/ REC5T CORRE-
SPOND;E1 !Y _H BO? 3VEY$ ! NEWS AB !
DRESS %OP4 ,YET !Y 7 BO? LEFT WOND]+ :Y
,MORRIS _H MADE NO M5;N (! %OP 9 8 RE-
TURN LR 6!M4

  ,MORRIS %[$ UP--)\T ,*E/]--AT ! 5D (!
F/ WEEK 9 ,JULY4 ,LAURETTE _H WANT$ TO
CELEBRATE ! ,F\R? ( ,JULY 0HANG+ R$-
:ITE-&-BLUE BANN]S ACR ! /OREFRONT1 B
,MA4IE _H 6REM9D H] T !Y 7 9 ,CANADA1 A
FACT EASILY =GOTT5 GIV5 T F\R \ ( FIVE
GOLD SEEK]S 9 ,DAWSON 7 9DE$ ,AM]ICAN4
,MORRIS1 J ANO!R "O ( ^! ,AM]ICAN GOLD
SEEK]S1 0 H>DLY RECOGNIZA# :5 HE /EPP$
96! DRESS %OP4 ,HE 0 GAUNT & HAG-   #DCG
G>D )A />V$ GLASSI;S 6HIS EYES4 ,8 BE>D
CAME D[N 6HIS *E/ & 0 SPLATT]$ ) MUD1 Z
0 ! RE/ ( HM F 8 SO7Y =M.S BOOTS 6HIS
DROOP+ SL\* HAT4 ,LAURETTE RAN UP & EM-
BRAC$ HM ! 9/ANT %E SAW HM /&+ 9 ! DOOR-
WAY1 :ILE ,MA4IE /OOD BACK & WAT*$ Z HE
RCVD H] EMBRACE 0SL[LY LIFT+ 8 >MS &
PUTT+ !M >.D 8 WIFE4 ,:5 ,LAURETTE F9,Y
LET G1 ,MA4IE GREET$ HM1 & !Y LOOK$ ACR
! ROOM AT EA* O!R1 B ALL HE SD 6H] WAS1
8,HELLO1 ,MA4IE4 ,GD 6SEE YA AG40 ,HE
WASN'T GO+ 6SAY ANY?+ AB ,*E/] YET1 ? 0
CLE>4 ,& ,MA4IE CD N HELP B SUSPECT T
,*E/] 0 D1D1 YET %E HELD H] HE>T 9 ABEY-
.E UNTIL ,MORRIS CD MU/] ! N]VE 6TELL H]
& %E CD GRIEVE 9 E>NE/4 ,!N ,LAURETTE
TOLD ,MORRIS T %E 0 GO+ 6TAKE HM /RAI<T
UP/AIRS & 96! BIG METAL WA%TUB T %E &
,MA4IE _H PUR*AS$ F ! DRY GDS /ORE BACK
9 ,M>*1 2C :AT HE NE$$ MO/ 0 A HOT BA? &
A GD NI<T'S SLEEP4
  8,X SEEMS Y TWO LADIES >E DO+ J F9E BY
YR L"O"SS10 HE SD1 LOOK+ OV] 8 %\LD] AG
AT ,MA4IE Z ,LAURETTE TOOK 8 >M & L$ HM
UP ! BACK /AIRCASE4                 #DCH
  ,MA4IE1 M1N:ILE1 /AY$ D[N/AIRS 9 !
DRESS %OP & LET ,LAURETTE & ,MORRIS H !
RE/ (! "D 6!MVS 9 ! UP/AIRS A"P;T4 ,%E
KEPT ! %OP OP5 AN H\R LAT] ?AN USUAL T
EV5+1 UNTIL EI<T1 AT : "T ,LAURETTE CAME
D[N & TOLD H] T ,MORRIS _H WA%$ & SLEPT
& 0 N[ PUTT+ ON "S CL1N CLO!S4
  8,HE LO/ TWO TOES 6! COLD10 ,LAURETTE
SD QUIETLY 6,MA4IE4 8,!Y _H 6CUT !M (F
"R "! 9 ! CAMP ''' 6KEEP ! GANGR5E F
SETT+ IN40
  8,T'S HORRI#10 ,MA4IE SD1 AG ?9K+ (
,*E/] & TRY+ 6FA?OM C>RY+ ON ) H] LIFE
)\T HM4 ,%E WOND]$ AT H]F = N FEEL+ M
UPSET ?AN %E DID AT ! PROSPECTIVE LOSS (
H] HUSB&4 ,0 %E T COLD-HE>T$8 ,_H %E BE5
S* AN 9S5SITIVE WIFE :5 HE 0 ALIVE8 ,OR
P]H X 0 J ! %OCK ( -+ 6T]MS ) 8 D1?1 &!
FACT T %E'D BE5 DEPRIV$ (! *.E 6BE 9 8
-PANY AG1 Z ,LAURETTE 0 ) ,MORRIS "R N[4
  ,%ORTLY AF ? BRIEF EX*ANGE ) ,LAU-
RETTE1 ,MORRIS CAME D[N ! /AIRS 9 A CL1N
%IRT 7NO COLL>7 & CL1N WOR/$ PANTS &A
L;G COAT1 ALL ( : HE'D LEFT ) ,LAURETTE
:5 HE TOOK (F =! M9+ CAMPS4 ,8      #DCI
BE>D 0 FRE%LY TRIMM$1 & P]H 2C HE _H
BA!D &! MON?S ( DIRT & GRIME NO L;G]
CLUNG 6HIS SK91 8 FACE LOOK$ M SALL[ ?AN
"E4 ,MA4IE HURRI$LY CLOS$ ! %OP &! ?REE
( !M H1D$ D[N ,DUKE ,/REET 6A *OP SUEY
JO9T RUN 0A C\PLE ( ,*9AM5 :O _H -E UP F
,S1TTLE N L;G AGO4 ,OV] _! FRI$ E7ROLLS
& B[LS ( ,*9ESE NOODLES1 ,MORRIS RELAT$
6,LAURETTE & ,MA4IE ! DETAILS ( 8 &
,*E/]'S BRUTAL W9T] 9 ! ,YUKON WILD];S1
"W+ Z M]E WAGE LABOR]S 9 ! GOLD M9ES )
N"E AN OPPORTUN;Y 6GET 96T[N1 LIV+ 9 A
%ACK NO BI7] ?AN A TOOL%$1 N"E HAV+ 5 TO
EAT1 & ALW 2+ S COLD Y KNEW T AT ANY "T
Y CD FALL ASLEEP & N"E WAKE UP4
  8,YR LRS CAME TELL+ AB ! %OP10 HE SD
AT LA/ 6,LAURETTE4 8,I 0 HAPPY 6HE> AB X
& 6"K Y 7 OKAY40 ,!N HE B[$ 8 H1D1 SEEM-
+LY A%AM$ ( :AT HE 0 GO+ 6SAY NEXT4
8,I'M SORRY ,I DIDN'T WRITE BACK1 ,LAU-
RETTE4 ,I DIDN'T H ANY?+ 6S5D Y1 M"OY-
WISE T IS1 S ,I DIDN'T FEEL PROP] S5D+ J
AN OLD LR ) NO?9' 9 X4 ,I DIDN'T WANT TO
LIE 6Y EI & MAKE T "EY?+ 0 GO+ F9E :5 X
WASN'T & SET Y ALL 6WORRY9'40       #DDJ
  ,LAURETTE PUT H] >M ACR 8 %\LD] & SD T
X 0 ALL "R1 %E 0 J GLAD HE 0 BACK ) H]
N[1 SAFE & S.D4 ,MA4IE KNEW ,LAURETTE 0
SC>$ T HE WD F9D \ :AT %E'D BE5 DO+ ^?
FEW MON?S 2F !Y OP5$ ! DRESS %OP1 & KNEW
T ? REUNION CD N 2 EASY = H] FR4 ,AF
,MORRIS -POS$ HMF A LL M1 HE TURN$ TO
,MA4IE4
  8,HE A9'T D1D10 7 ! F/ ^WS \ 8 M\? TO
H]1 8IN CASE T'S :AT Y 7 WOND]+40 ,MA4IE
0 BO? RELIEV$ & />TL$ 0? ANN\NCE;T4
,MORRIS !N LOOK$ UP AT H] & HELD H] EYES
) 8 & SD ANGRILY1 8,! SONUVABIT*'S RUN
(F 6,NOME10 & !N PAUS$ & A4$1 8,T IS1 IF
HE MAKES X ALIVE4 ,HE'S GOT ! GOLD FEV]
BAD1 ,MA4IE1 & X AB KILL$ ME &A C\PLE (
O!R FELLAS GO+ \ ) HM 6LOOK = CLAIMS TO
/AKE4 ,!N HE RUN (F ) MORE'AN 8 "R;L %>E
( \R TWO'S TAKE F ! ,ELDORADO OP],N--T
IS1 ! BONUS !Y GAVE :5 "O ( U WD /RIKE A
GD VE94 ,ALL 9 ALL1 T ,*E/] ( YRS HAS
GOT "S P DAMN MAD AT HM1 & !Y'RE LIKELY
6KILL 'IM IF !Y "E SEE HM AG4 ,&= MY "P1
,I MI<T HELP 'EM AT X40 ,MORRIS /OPP$ "!
& DIV]T$ 8 EYES F ,MA4IE4 ,HE       #DDA
SLURP$ S"EAL =K;LS ( *OP SUEY & ORD]$ A
:ISKEY F ! ,*9AMAN WAIT]4 ,!N HE LOOK$
AT ,MA4IE AG4 8,HE A9'T -+ BACK1 ,MA4IE4
,I'M AFRAID T'S ! H"O/ TRU? (! MATT]4
,HE MI<T Z WELL 2 D1D40
  ,MA4IE CD ONLY />E AT ,MORRIS1 N FULLY
GRASP+ :AT HE 0 TELL+ H]1 ?\< FA9TLY "U-
/&+ T ,*E/] _H D"O A LOT ( P WR;G--IN-
CLUD+ H]F4 ,DESPITE H]F1 %E 2GAN 6CRY1
AT F/ S(TLY1 \ ( RELIEF T H] HUSB& 0 N
D1D1 !N M FULLY F ! GRIEV\S;S EXP&+ 9 H]
*E/ OV] ! R1LIZ,N ( 8 HE>T.S AB&ON;T (
H]4
  ,:5 ,MORRIS SD T HE REGRETT$ HAV+ 6BE
! BE>] ( BAD NEWS1 ,MA4IE ASK$ HM 6TELL
H] ! :OLE /ORY4 ,MORRIS AGRE$ & ORD]$ A
BOTTLE ( :ISKEY 6BE BR"\ 6! TA#1 ) TWO M
GLASSES1 & !N AF P\R+ ,MA4IE & ,LAURETTE
EA* A GLASS (! LIQUOR1 HE 2GAN 6ELABO-
RATE ON 8 ORD1L ) ,*E/]4 ,F ! "T !Y _H
>RIV$ AT ,ELDORADO ,CREEK1 HE SD1 ,*E/]
0 SORE AT HAV+ 6M9E = "S"O ELSE & KEPT
HMF BUSY MAK+ PLANS 6EXPLORE ! SURR.D+
T]RITORY & /AKE 8 [N CLAIM4 ,Z X TURN$
\1 9 "S WAYS HE 0 "R 6BE SORE1 2C   #DDB
HE & ,MORRIS "W$ ! ,ELDORADO SITE ALL
W9T] & SPR+ & ONLY "E CAME AWAY ) 5 6RE-
SUPPLY !MVS =! NEXT MON?1 EV5 :5 !Y DID
GET A BONUS4 ,Z ( "R N[1 ,MORRIS TOLD
!M1 HE _H ONLY A FEW HUNDR$ DOLL>S 9
GOLD DU/ F ! 5TIRE YE>'S V5TURE4 ,S
,*E/] SOON SAW T ? 0 H[ X 0 GO+ 6BE &
2CAME M & M DESP]ATE1 2LIEV+ T E "D T
PASS$ M1NT "S"O ELSE 0 /AK+ A CLAIM "S":
T 0ALL DUE "RS & OBLIG,NS %D 2 HIS4 ,YET
X 0 :5 !Y WD V5TURE \ F ! ,ELDORADO CAMP
6SC\T O!R CREEK B$S1 "S ID5TIFI$ ON !
MAP & O!RS N1 T HE 2CAME MO/ RECK.S4
,ILL-EQUIPP$ & N RECKON+ ADEQUATELY )!
H1VY SN[ & SEV]E COLD1 !Y 7 LUCKY 6GET
BACK 6CAMP MO/ "TS1 & X 0 ON "O ( ^!
SC\T+ TRIPS T ,MORRIS GOT ! FRO/BITE ON
8 TOES4 ,M1N:ILE1 :5 !Y 7 BACK AT CAMP1
,*E/] MADE LIFE HELL1 -PLA9+ T !Y 7
SLA7+ M PAY GRAVEL ?AN ! CLAIM MANAG]S 7
LETT+ ON & T !Y 7 2+ %ORT$ _! FAIR %>E4
,HE DIDN'T L GO+ 96! DRIFT+ TUNNELS EI1
&A C\PLE "TS GOT PANICKY & BR"\ ! :OLE
OP],N 6A /&/ILL4 ,T'S :5 RUMORS />T$ GO+
>.D ! CAMP T ,ALASKA 0 OP5+ UP &    #DDC
"! 0 GOLD 6BE PANN$ "R ON ! B1* 9 ,NOME4
,*E/] CAME 6R1LIZE ! MAP ! 3TRACT AG5T
_H SOLD !M 0 BUNK & T ! ,KLONDIKE 0 ALR
PLAY$ \--& T X 0 "T 6MOVE ON4 ,"O NI<T 9
_! %ACK1 BACK 9 ,APRIL1 HE TOLD ,MORRIS
HE WASN'T GO+ 6BE CAU<T 2H ! EI<T BALL ?
"T >.D4 ,HE 0 GO+ 6GET A JUMP ON !
,ALASKA RU% & /AKE 8 CLAIM 9 ,NOME4
  ,"H ,MORRIS DELIB]ATELY LOOK$ AWAY F
,MA4IE4 8,:5 ,I ASK$ HM AB Y10 HE SD1 &
%EEPI%LY GL.ED BACK AT H]1 8T IS1 IF HE
WASN'T GO+ 6BR+ Y ) HM1 HE SD FLAT \
.,NO1 HE CDN'T 2 SL[$ D[N N"O1 & T Y %D
G BACK 6,S1TTLE1 OR ,NEW ,J]SEY1 OR :]"E
X 0 Y WANT$ 6G1 )\T HM4 ,!N HM & ANO!R
FELL[ :O 0 J Z GOLD-MAD BROKE CAMP 9
,MAY :5 ! ?AW CAME & /RUCK \ = ,NOME ON
A LL OLD FLATBOAT !Y GOT HOLD ( "S":40
  ,SITT+ 9 ! *OP SUEY JO9T T NI<T1 LI/5+
6? TALE ( H] AB&ON;T 0H] HUSB& & H[ HE'D
*OS5 A RECK.S *.E AT GOLD OV] 8 LIFE )
H]1 ,MA4IE GOT DRUNK DR9K+ :ISKEY1 &
,LAURETTE & ,MORRIS _H 6C>RY H] 2T !M
BACK 6! A"P;T & PUT H] 6B$4 ,9 ! MORN+1
Z %E LAY 9 ! B$ ) H] H1D ?RO2+1     #DDD
MASSAG+ H] TEMPLES ) H] F+]S1 %E CURS$
,*E/] = GETT+ S GOLD CRAZY & RUNN+ (F L
HE DID1 BLAM$ H]F = "E HAV+ G"O AL;G ) 8
HALF-MAD ADV5TURES AF RI*ES HE'D N"E
F9D1 & !N SWORE HM F H] LIFE ="E4 ,EV5-
TU,Y1 AF S"EAL M H\RS ( TE>;L1 EXHAU/$
SLEEP1 :5 %E F9,Y MANAG$ 6LIFT H]F F !
B$1 %E FET*$ S"EAL PAILS ( WAT] F ! TANK
\ BACK1 H1T$ ! WAT] ON ! /OVE1 P\R$ X
96! WA%TUB1 & !N CLIMB$ IN1 SANK D[N1 &
LAY "! =! RE/ (! AFN4
  ,MORRIS /AY$ 9 T[N = T5 M "DS--EAT+1
DR9K+1 & SLEEP+1 & PUTT+ "S WEI<T BACK
ON 8 B"OS & "S COLOR BACK 96HIS FACE--&
!N 3TRACT$ HMF \ 6S"EAL -MIS.N$ CLAIMS &
RETURN$ 6! CREEKS 6"W ! -PANY M9ES AG4
,N[ T ,LAURETTE 0 SET UP )! DRESS %OP1
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,F> ,NOR?1 & IF N1 !N ! TWO ( !M WD H1D
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DIDN'T "K :AT %E WD D NEXT4 ,%E & ,LAU-
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6,S1TTLE1 & MAYBE !Y WD / D T1 B "R N[ T
WDN'T 2 = AT L1/ ANO!R YE>4 ,& AL   #DDE
"R N[1 ,MA4IE DIDN'T H 5 SAV+S EV5 6BOOK
PASSAGE BACK 6,S1TTLE1 M* LESS GET H]F
SITUAT$ ONCE %E >RIV$4 ,S %E DIDN'T "K
:AT %E WD D4 ,REMA9+ 9 ,DAWSON ,C;Y1
SURR.D$ 0DESP]ATE1 BROK5 M9]S &! H&;L (
LUCKY GOLD K+S :O %[BOAT$ AB1 ONLY MADE
H] ?9K M AB ,*E/] & 8 =SAK+ H]4 ,%E CD
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S* AN ABSURD NO;N4
  ,X 0 9 LATE ,AUGU/1 :5 ,MA4IE KNEW T
IF %E 7 GO+ 6L1VE ,DAWSON %E WD NE$ 6D S
2F ! FREEZE CAME1 T AN ,9DIAN WOMAN CAME
96! %OP ASK+ 6BE FITT$ = AN EV5+ G[N4
,%E 0 MAYBE ,MA4IE'S AGE1 A BIT %ORT] B
N 0M*1 )! /R;G FULL BODY1 R.DI% F1TURES1
& RU4Y -PLEXION ( O!R ,TAGI% WOM5 ,MA4IE
_H OBS]V$ AB T[N4 ,_M ( ^! WOM5 A3OMPA-
NI$ _! HUSB&S :O "W$ 9 ! M9ES1 "S 7 M>-
RI$ 6:ITE M51 & O!RS 7 ON _! [N "W+ Z
H\SEMAIDS 9 ! BI7] HOTELS 9 T[N4 ,! WOM-
AN :O CAME 96! %OP ON ? "PICUL> "D SEEM$
BETT] (F ?AN MO/4 ,MO/ ,9DIAN WOM5
DIDN'T G 96DRESS %OPS 6BE FITT$ = CU/OM-
MADE EV5+ G[NS4                     #DDF
  ,:5 ,MA4IE /OOD ! WOMAN ON ! FOOT/OOL
& CIRCL$ >.D H] )! TAPE M1SURE 6TAKE H]
M1SURE;TS1 !Y GOT 6TALK+4 ,! WOMAN ASK$
,MA4IE H[ %E'D -E 6,DAWSON & ,MA4IE TOLD
H]1 L1V+ \ ! "P AB ,*E/] GO+ (F 6,NOME
)\T H]4 ,!N ! WOMAN SD H] "N 0 ,AAGE
,WILSON & T %E 0 ,KATE ,CORMACK'S SI/]4
,Z ,MA4IE & PROBABLY "EY"O ELSE 9 ,DAW-
SON WELL KNEW1 ,KATE ,CORMACK 0 ! WIFE (
,GEORGE ,WA%+TON ,CORMACK1 :O AL;G )
,SKOOKUM ,JIM ,MASON /AK$ ! F/ BIG
CLAIMS AL;G ,BONANZA ,CREEK S"EAL YE>S
AGO4 ,GEORGE ,CORMACK 0 N[ "O (! RI*E/
M5 9 T[N1 & ,KATE1 ^W AB T[N _H X1 CUR-
R5TLY RESID$ 9 ,S1TTLE ": %E'D BE5 S5T
0H] HUSB& 6ESCAPE ! DR9K+ & G5]AL DE-
BAU*]Y ( ,DAWSON ,C;Y4
  ,?\< ,MA4IE 0 FASC9AT$ 0? P]SONAL CON-
NEC;N 6! P :O _H M OR LESS KICK$ (F !
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,AAGE ,WILSON = FUR!R DETAILS4 ,MA4IE AL
KNEW T1 GIV5 REC5T EV5TS 9 H] LIFE1 %E 0
H>BOR+ A SIZEA# M1SURE ( RES5T;T T[>D !
:OLE GOLD-SEEK+ 5T]PRISE4 ,2SS1 %E
RECOGNIZ$ T A GD %OPKEEP] ALW EX-   #DDG
]CISES 4CRE;N ) H] CLI5TELE4 ,H["E1 TWO
"DS LAT]1 ,AAGE ,WILSON RETURN$ =! F9AL
FITT+ = H] EV5+ G[N1 & :ILE ,MA4IE P9N$
UP H] SLEEVES & *ALK$ H] SKIRTS1 ,AAGE
PRESS$ ,MA4IE = M "PICUL>S ON H[ %E'D -E
6RUN ! DRESS %OP4 ,MA4IE TOLD H] AB
,LAURETTE1 :OM ,AAGE _H N YET MET1 & H[
X 0 H] DRESSMAK+ SKILLS T GOT !M />T$1 &
T ! %OP 0 A WAY = !M 6KEEP !MVS O3UPI$
:ILE _! HUSB&S 7 \ 9 ! GOLD FIELDS4
  8,S IS YR HUSB& RI* YET !N80 ,AAGE
ASK$ H]4 8,OR IS HE / SNU6L+ >.D = 8
PAYDIRT80
  ,MA4IE GOT (F H] "O KNEE !N1 TOOK !
P9S F H] M\?1 & /OOD 2F ,AAGE ,WILSON &
SD /]NLY 6H]1 8,NO1 ,MRS4 ,WILSON1 ,I'M
AFRAID MY ,*E/] IS N RI*4 ,9 FACT1 Y
SEE1 MY HUSB&'S AB&ON$ ME 6SEEK 8 RI*ES
ELSE":4 ,HE'S RUN (F 6,NOME & LEFT ME 6D
Z ,I PL1SE4 ,: =! "T 2+1 GIV5 ! O!R OP-
PORTUNITIES =A LADY L MYF 9 ? T[N1 HAP-
P5S 6BE DRESSMAK+40
  ,MA4IE 0 9/ANTLY ABA%$ AT ! BRUSQUE
T"O %E'D TAK51 YET 2F %E CD APOLOGIZE1
,AAGE ,WILSON PUT H] H& ON ,MAD-    #DDH
DIE'S %\LD] & SD1 8,! BA/>D4 ,HE %DN'T'A
D"O Y T WAY40 ,%E !N EXPRESS$ H[ SORRY
%E 0 = ,MA4IE'S MIS=TUNE & !N1 AF MUMBL+
8BA/>D0 "U H] BR1? A C\PLE M "TS1 LET !
TOPIC DROP & KEPT QUIET =! REMA9D] ( H]
FITT+4
  ,:5 %E RETURN$ ?REE "DS LAT] 6COLLECT
H] EV5+ G[N1 %E PD ,MA4IE 9 FULL =!
DRESS1 & Z %E 0 L1V+ %E PLAC$ AN 5VELOPE
ON ! FRONT TA# & SD MODE/LY1 8,? IS =
Y10 & DE"P$ F ! DRESS %OP4
  ,MA4IE PICK$ UP ! 5VELOPE ?9K+ X 0 A
TIP1 A SYMPA?Y GE/URE =! PITI;L A3.T
%E'D GIV5 ( H]F AT _! LA/ MEET+4 ,YET
9SIDE ! 5VELOPE1 9/1D ( M"OY1 %E F.D A
"O-PAGE LR &A CRUDE H&-DRAWN MAP4 ,MA4IE
UNFOLD$ ! LR & R1D X3

,DE> ,MADAME1
  ,YR ,*E/] %D H BE5 M PATI5T4 ,5CLOS$ Y
W F9D A MAP 6,ROCK ,L$GE ,CREEK4 ,X LIES
T5 MILES 2L ,BE> & ,HUNK] ,CREEKS1 NE>
,=TY ,MILE1 : TWO M9ES 7 AB&ON$ AF MY
BRO!R ,JIM & 8 FR ,GEORGE ,CORMACK /AK$
\ ,RA2IT ,CREEK4 ,A ROCK CAIRN      #DDI
M>KS ": ,MR4 ,WILSON & ,I F/ PANN$4 ,I
MAKE NO ASSUR.ES1 B D URGE Y 6/AKE A
CLAIM Z SOON Z POSSI#4 ,I ?ANK Y =!
DRESS1 : IS MO/ ELEGANT & WELL MADE4
    ,YRS ,TRULY1
    ,AAGE ,WILSON

  ,MA4IE GREW %AKY Z %E R1D ! LR AG4 ,%E
CD H>DLY 2 EXPECT$ 6TAKE X S]I\SLY1 %E
TOLD H]F1 ESPECI,Y AF ! MANN] 9 : ,*E/]
& ,MORRIS _H BE5 L$ A/RAY ) _! FRAUDUL5T
MAP4 ,H[ 0 %E 6PUT ANY FAI? 9 ? SMALL
D>K-SK9N$ WOMAN :O _H J /RAY$ (F ! /REET
96H] %OP8 ,MA4IE CDN'T EXPLA9 X--& MAYBE
%E DIDN'T NE$ TO--B 0! SECOND & ?IRD "T
%E'D R1D ! NOTE & LOOK$ AT ! MAP1 %E BE-
GAN1 P]H \ ( H] [N DESP],N1 62LIEVE "!
MI<T 2 "S?+ 6? ,AAGE ,WILSON4 ,? (F]
SEEM$ F> DI6]5T F ! SCAM ,*E/] & ,MORRIS
_H FALL5 = _! F/ "D 9 T[N4 ,? 0 AN UNSO-
LICIT$ 9VIT,N4 ,A GE/URE ( SYMPA?Y & "U-
/&+1 F "O WOMAN 6ANO!R4 ,& WDN'T "S"O S*
Z ,AAGE ,WILSON1 :O'D BE5 BORN & RE>$ 9
! ,F> ,NOR?1 :O _H UND\BT$LY TRACK$ !
REGION = _M YE>S ) H] HUSB&1 :O     #DEJ
H]F 0 OBVI\SLY 5JOY+ ! ADVANTAGES ( NEW-
LY F.D W1L? ''' WDN'T S* A P]SON M]IT "S
M1SURE ( TRU/8 ,ESPECI,Y ON A MATT] T
POT5TI,Y HELD =? S* PROMISE1 T CD TURN
_! FATES >.D & ANSW] ALL _! DR1MS & WI%-
ES8 ,ON ! O!R H&1 ,MA4IE FE>$1 P]H 9 H]
[N DESP],N 6ESCAPE ,DAWSON1 %E H]F 0 N[
2COM+ GOLD-MAD4 ,:AT 0 %E WILL+ 6RISK1
%E KNEW %E WD H 6ASK H]F1 6PURSUE ?
UNS"\-AF OPPORTUN;Y8

  ,LAT] T EV5+ %E 4CUSS$ ! MATT] "? & "?
) ,LAURETTE1 & TGR !Y CAME 6! DECI.N T1
AT L1/ = N[1 !Y WD TRU/ ! LR &! A3OMPA-
NY+ MAP4 ,H[ CD !Y N8 ,6IGNORE !M & 2
LEFT WOND]+ =! RE/ ( _! LIVES :E!R !Y'D
MADE ! "R DECI.N ''' ,NO1 !Y _H 6PURSUE
? L1D & SEE :AT CAME ( X4 ,X 0 DECID$ T
,LAURETTE WD WRITE 6,MORRIS AT ! ,ELDO-
RADO CAMP 9SI/+ T HE RETURN IMMLY 6,DAW-
SON2 !N HE & ,MA4IE & ,E4 ,W4 ,BLAYTON1
0N[ _! GD & TRU/$ FR1 WD V5TURE \ 6,ROCK
,L$GE ,CREEK4 ,IF ! SITE LOOK$ PROMIS+1
!Y WD /AKE ! CLAIM1 & IF !Y !N /RUCK
PAYDIRT ''' WELL1 !Y WD ALL RJC &   #DEA
HAPPILY %>E 9 ! RETURNS1 BIG OR SMALL4
  ,! EXP$I;N 6,ROCK ,L$GE ,CREEK1 )! AID
(! MAP T ,AAGE ,WILSON _H H&-DRAWN1 0 AN
>DU\S "O = ,MA4IE1 EQUAL 6! J\RNEY TO
,DAWSON ,C;Y4 ,AT F/1 ,E4,W4 TRI$ 6TALK
,MA4IE \ ( GO+1 B %E WDN'T HE> ( X4 ,!
LR & MAP _H BE5 GIV5 6H]1 & %E WD 2 ! "O
6SEE IF !Y 7 BUNK OR N4 ,=! T5 "DS X
TOOK !M 6LOCATE ,ROCK ,L$GE ,CREEK1 SUR-
VEY & PLOT _! CLAIM1 & RETURN 6,DAWSON1
,MA4IE "W$ H>D N 6LET H] _SS FLAG1 PUR-
SU+ ! CLAIM ) "S?+ (A V5GE.E1 Z IF 9 RE-
TALI,N = ,*E/]'S DESPICA# TR1T;T ( H]4
,YET 0E>LY ,OCTOB]1 ! TASK--ALL EXCEPT
/RIK+ PAYDIRT--WAS A3OMPLI%$4 ,! CLAIM 0
_!S1 FIL$ & S1L$1 & ,MORRIS & ,E4,W41
BO? ( :OM ?"\ X 0 A PROMIS+ CLAIM1 QKLY
PUT TGR A CREW ( FIVE M9]S1 ALL M5 ,MOR-
RIS KNEW F ! ,ELDORADO CAMP1 & !N RE-
TURN$ 6,ROCK ,L$GE ,CREEK FULLY SUPPLI$
& \TFITT$ )! HELP ( ,BLAYTON ,\TFITT]S4
  ,"?\T ,OCTOB]1 ,NOVEMB]1 & ,DECEMB]1
TWO M5 F ! CREW 7 S5T BACK 6,DAWSON E
?REE WEEKS 6UPDATE ,MA4IE & ,LAURETTE ON
! "W AT ! CREEK & 6RESUPPLY !       #DEB
CAMP4 ,R1*+ ,ROCK ,L$GE ,CREEK 0 A DI6I-
CULT TREK1 ESPECI,Y Z ! FI]CE W9T] /ORMS
>RIV$ ) REGUL>;Y & TEMP]ATURES DROPP$ TO
#FJ & #GJ DEGREES 2L Z]O4 ,0MID-,DECEMB]
! SEV5 M5 _H BUILT TWO LOG CAB9S1 DUG _!
TUNNELS 96! EMBANK;T ABV ! CREEK1 & 7
SETTL$ 96! CAMP =! DUR,N1 :ILE ,MA4IE &
,LAURETTE /AY$ 9 ,DAWSON1 T5D$ 6_! %OP1
& EV5 TOOK OV] OP]AT+ ,E4,W4'S /ORE 9 8
ABS;E4 ,?\< ! TWO WOM5 TRI$ N 6SPECULATE
TOO M* ON ! \TCOME ( _! NEW 5T]PRISE1
,MA4IE CDN'T HELP B FEEL "S?+ GD WD -E (
X4 ,AT "TS %E WD H 6*ECK H] [N GI4Y OP-
TIMISM & PUT H] M9D 6! TASK AT H&1 :E!R
X 0 TRIMM+ A SKIRT OR L9+ A PAIR (
GLOVES ) OTT] FUR4
  ,9 ,M>*1 :5 ,MORRIS & "O (! O!R M5 RE-
TURN$ 6T[N =! F/ "T S9CE ! HOLI"D S1SON1
,MORRIS1 TOO1 SEEM$ OPTIMI/IC1 ?\< HE
DIDN'T GIVE !M _M DETAILS (! "W CREW'S
PROGRESS4 ,YET HE DID 9VITE !M 6-E \ 6!
CLAIM ) HM 6SEE ! OP],N = !MVS4 ,EV5 ?\<
! RIV] REMA9$ CLO7$ ) ICE &! TRAILS 7
BANK$ S"EAL FEET HI< ) SN[1 ! "DS 7 AG
2G9N+ 6L5G!N1 W>M+ ! AIR 6>.D Z]O   #DEC
AT NI<T & 6! TE5S 9 ! AFN4 ,MA4IE &
,LAURETTE A3EPT$ ! 9VIT,N & LOCK$ UP !
%OP &! \TFITT+ /ORE & H1D$ \ ) ,MORRIS &
! O!R MAN = _! ,ROCK ,L$GE ,CREEK CLAIM4
  ,X TOOK !M TWO FULL "DS ON ! ,YUKON
,RIV] 6R1* ,=TY ,MILE1 : 0 NOR? ( ,DAW-
SON 0AB #AJJ MILES1 !N ANO!R "D 0DOGSL$
AL;G V>I\S TRAILS "? ! WILD];S 6R1*
,ROCK ,L$GE ,CREEK1 & ANO!R HALF "D W9D+
_! WAY UP ! CREEK 6R1* _! CLAIM4 ,S"EAL
O!R CLAIMS _H BE5 /AK$ AL;G ! CREEK S9CE
LA/ AUTUMN1 B _!S 0 ! MO/ E/ABLI%$4 ,X
AL APPE>$ 6BE ! MO/ PRODUCTIVE4 ,! M5 9
! CAMP GREET$ ,MA4IE Z IF %E 7 ,QUE5
,VICTORIA -E 6T\R "O ( H] K+DOM'S COLO-
NIES4 ,! CLAIM 0 A SIZEA# "O1 ALM #EJJ
FEET AL;G ! CREEK B$ & #FJJ FEET UP !
EMBANK;T F ! CREEK4 ,HI< UP ON ! EMBANK-
;T ! M5 _H DUG TWO M9E %AFTS4 ,SMOKE
DRIFT$ \ (! W9D[-SIZ$ M\? ( "O (! %AFTS1
-+ F ! FIRE T 0 KEPT SMOLD]+ D[N 9 !
%AFT 6?AW ! FROZ5 GR.D4 ,AT ! M\? (!
SECOND %AFT1 TWO M5 F ! "W CREW CRANK$ A
W9DLASS1 DRAW+ =? BUCKETS ( HALF-?AW$
GRAVELLY SLUDGE : !Y DUMP$ ONTO A   #DED
SIX-FOOT-HI<1 T5-FOOT-WIDE DRIFT+ PILE4
,A SECOND1 EV5 L>G]1 TAIL+ PILE LAY F>!R
(F 6! LEFT ( ? "O4
  ,MORRIS WALK$ UP 6! DRIFT+ PILE )A T9
PAN1 PUT A FI/;L (! SLUDGE 9 ! PAN &
P\R$ "S WAT] 96X F 8 CANTE51 !N HE SL[LY
SLO%$ ! MIXTURE >.D 9 ! PAN1 /UDY+ XS
3T5TS & O3A.N,Y TIPP+ ! PAN 6P\R \ "S (!
MU4Y WAT]4 ,AF A C\PLE ( M9UTES ( ?1 HE
%[$ ,MA4IE & ,LAURETTE :AT 0 LEFT 9 !
PAN4 ,CO>SE %IMM]S ( GOLD LAY MIX$ 9 )!
REMA9S (! SLUDGE ON ! BOTTOM (! PAN1 "S
J F9E SPECKS1 B A FEW L>G] PIECES Z WELL
--REM9D+ ,MA4IE (! F/ PIECE ( GOLD %E _H
"E SE51 ! "O ,*E/] REV1L$ 6H] 9 _! ROOM
9 ! ,S1TTLE FLOPH\SE4 ,AAGE 0 "R1 ,MA4IE
?"\ SU45LY ^U SEE+ ! GOLD AT ! BOTTOM (!
PAN3 ,*E/] _H BE5 TOO IMPATI5T4 ,& Z =
H]F1 X LOOK$ Z ?\< %E _H BE5 "R 6PURSUE
! ,9DIAN WOMAN'S G5]\S TIP4
  ,E4 ,W4 ,BLAYTON /OOD 2S ,MA4IE & SD1
8,I DON'T "K T WE'LL F9D A VE91 B ! B$'S
GIV+ U "S MI<TY F9E PLAC] DEPOSITS40
  ,?REE O!R M5 7 BUSY BUILD+ SLUICE
BOXES D[N AL;G ! ICY BANK (!        #DEE
CREEK4 ,!Y US$ PLANKS T !Y _H CUT &
PLAN$ F TREES FELL$ ON ! CLAIM1 L1V+
TREE /UMPS "EY": ,MA4IE LOOK$4 ,TREES F
! CLAIM _H AL BE5 US$ 6BUILD ! TWO SMALL
CAB9S ON A N>R[ CLE>+ F>!R UP ! CREEK AB
=TY Y>DS4 ,! SLUICE BOXES1 ,MORRIS EX-
PLA9$1 WD EV5TU,Y RUN UP ! EMBANK;T 6J
2L ! M\?S (! TWO %AFTS4 ,!N ! DRIFT+
PILES WD 2 SLUIC$ "? ROCK] BOXES &! GOLD
RECOV]$4 ,X 0 T SIMPLE4
  ,T NI<T ,MA4IE 0 HAPPY Z %E SAT 9 !
COLD AIR FAC+ ! ENORM\S BONFIRE ! M5 _H
BUILT 9 HONOR ( _! LADY VISITORS4 ,"EY"O
SEEM$ 6AGREE T1 EV5 IF !Y DIDN'T /RIKE !
VE9 T ,E4,W4 SPOKE (1 ! CLAIM 0 GO+ 6BE
A PR(ITA# "O1 & H&"SLY S4 ,:ILE "O (! M5
COOK$ A BE> /EW )! POTATOES1 CA2AGES1 &
RUTABAGAS T ! VISITORS _H BR"\ AL;G1 AN-
O!R BROKE \ ! TWO JUGS ( :ISKEY & ?REE
BOTTLES ( *AMPAGNE T !Y'D AL HAUL$ BACK
) !M F ,DAWSON4 ,"EY"O FELT GD 9 ! W>M?
(! FIRE1 ! GL[ (! _SS1 &! N\RI%;T (!
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*AMPAGNE BOTTLES &) 8 >M >.D ,LAURETTE
GAVE A TOA/4 8,6PAYDIRT10 HE %\T-   #DEF
$1 & "EY"O %\T$ ! TOA/ BACK 6HM & DRANK
6X4 ,"EY"O SEEM$ 6"U/& T !Y WD 2 SQU>$
AWAY1 & MAYBE EV5 RI*1 0SUMM]"T4 ,&A
SWEET SUMM]"T X WD BE4 ,GETT+ A LL M
DRUNK ?AN ! RE/1 ,E4,W4 2GAN S++ 8 FA-
VORITE ,/EPH5 ,FO/] S;GS1 & !N AF S"EAL
( ^?1 HE />T$ 9 ON 8 ALL-"T FAVORITE ,F>
,NOR? DITTY1 8,:5 ! ,ICE ,WORMS ,NE/
,AG03

,"!'S A HUSKY DUSKY MAID5 9 ! ,>CTIC2
,9 H] IGLOO %E IS WAIT+ "! 9 VA91
,B "S"D ,I'LL PUT MY MUKLUKS ON & ASK H]
,IF %E'LL W$ ME :5 ! ICE WORMS NE/ AG4

  ,HE !N JUMP$ 6HIS FEET & ASK$ ,MA4IE
6D.E ) HM1 & !N ,MORRIS GOT UP & D.ED )
,LAURETTE4 ,! CREW *E]$ ! TWO C\PLES Z
!Y DO-SI-DOE'D 2F ! FIRE1 & EV5TU,Y E
MAN ON ! FIVE-MAN CREW TOOK A TURN AT
TWIRL+ ! TWO WOM5 AB ON ! FROZ5 GR.D T
S]V$ Z _! D.E FLOOR4 ,Z ! FIRE & GD *E]
BLAZ$ ON "? ! NI<T1 ,MA4IE FELT A NEW
3FID;E -E ^U H]1 A RECOGNI;N T %E CD SEE
H] WAY "? ANY?+ & MAKE GD ON H]     #DEG
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"S?+ _H -E OV] H] T WD HELP H] C>RY ON )
H] LIFE 9 ! MANN] ( H] [N *OOS+ F ? PO9T
ON4

  ,"O WEEK LAT]1 ,MA4IE & ,LAURETTE1 AC-
-PANI$ 0TWO M5 F ! "W CREW1 TREKK$ BACK
6,DAWSON C>RY+ ) !M ! F/ GOLD F _!
CLAIM1 TWO SMALL P\*ES ( HALF AN \NCE
EA*1 : !Y EA* C>RI$ ON _! P]SONS4 ,E4,W4
_H \TFITT$ ! 5TIRE CREW & PD = _! SUP-
PLIES "? FALL1 W9T]1 & SPR+1 S X 0 "U-
/OOD T HE WD 2 DULY REIMBURS$ = ? \TLAY4
,AF T1 9 A3ORD.E )! WRITT5 3TRACT T "EY-
"O _H SIGN$1 ! TAKE F ! CLAIM WD 2 SPLIT
F\R WAYS 2T ,MA4IE1 ,E4,W41 ,MORRIS &
,LAURETTE1 &! FIVE M5 ON ! "W CREW1 :O
WD !N SPLIT _! %>E FIVE WAYS4 ,:5 %E &
,LAURETTE _H RETURN$ F ! CAMP & 7 BACK 9
_! TWO ROOMS ABV ! DRESS %OP & \TFITT+
/ORE1 ,MA4IE EXPRESS$ H] NA7+ FEEL+ T
MAYBE H] 4TRIBU;N 0 UNFAIR 6! RE/1 T P]H
X 0 TOO GRT A POR;N (! OV]ALL TAKE1 YET
,LAURETTE HA/5$ 64ABUSE H] ( ?      #DEH
NO;N4
  8,Y'RE ! MO/ DES]V+ ( ALL10 %E TOLD
H]4 8,"!'D 2 NO CLAIM AT ALL )\T Y4 ,&
2SS1 N"O ( U W 2 GO+ POOR F \R 9DIVIDUAL
TAKES40
  ,9 ,APRIL & ,MAY1 ,MORRIS & ,E4,W4 BE-
GAN TRANSPORT+ ! GOLD 96,DAWSON 9 E>NE/1
& ,MA4IE A3EPT$ ! FACT T F N[ ON LIFE WD
2 DI6]5T4 ,0,JUNE1 ! CREW _H SLUIC$ !
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