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Show 147 "Oh, Andy!" Karl felt sick, visualizing the scene -- Andy being beaten to appease Harry Ward. No words come to his mind that could console Andy for such a humiliation. If Andy were skipping town because he'd been told to stay away from Virginia Ward, Karl could maybe talk him out of that -- Virginia Ward simply wasn't worth the trouble. But to be stripped and flogged in front of that stuffed-shirt vote-grubber Harry Ward --if that had happened to Karl, he'd probably leave town too. But he didn't want Andy to go. "How can your folks manage without your wages?" he tried, hoping that might be a good argument to keep Andy home. "They'll manage. My father found four new boarders on the day of Veronica's wedding. He'll probably get someone to fill my bed before the sheets are cold," Andy replied bitterly. "What about your mother? You'll break her heart." "That can't be helped." Andy's voice was rough. "Look, I know what you're trying to do, Karl. You're trying to change my mind. Well, it won't work, so cut it out or I'll beat it right now, without waiting for the ten o'clock freight." "No, don't do that." Karl caught Andy's hand and held it tightly this time. "Where are you planning to head for?" "Wherever the train goes. I'll stay here in your shed to keep out of the cold till it's time for the freight. After that...I don't know when we'll see each other again, so it's goodby." Though the outside light was dim, Karl could see Andy's lips tremble. "Not yet it's not goodby," Karl said. "Listen, I have to get |