The daily Alaskan., 1920-11-16
CHAPTER K.
Once to Every Man.

Once to Every Man.
 For some distance down tine branch the Pearlhunter followed the night prowler. Within sound of the water fall he followed him. and then turned back toward the cabin of the three gables. He had come into the path and was passing the pool when the light went out in the windows. He was sorry for that. He had hoped to have speech with the girl. Tomorro" would be too late. Tomorrow the law would be on his trall-and pair Of eyes more terrible than the law.
 Leaving the path. he stepped out upon the flat rock that jutted from the bank into the pool. Once he glanced at the cabin: then sprang to the bank and went on up the path.
 It was far the hardest thing he had ever tried to do In his life to go round 10 that east window. It was partly open. His breast was pounding; his ears hummlng. He forced himself up to the window and brought his lips close to the sash.
 Wild Rose"
 He heard her start, and spring mp In hel. Then all was breathleSS still.
 "Wtld Rose"
 The bed creaked. He heard her soft feet moving about over the floor. A untitled shadow came toward the wlndow-a shadow and a whisper:
 "Pearlhuutrr"
 He reached his hand inside. A white arm and slender fingers came out oi tine gloom and found his palm. The shadow on the outside and the shadow on the inside drew closer, the one searching what that word would be.
 The man swallowed hard. "l sold the Blue Moon to Louie Solomon to- dav-five thousand dollars"
 He felt a thrill in the girls fingers.
 "ThiS aftcrnoon Louie solomon was murdered. and rhe pearl stolen
 She >hulIercd. took her hand out of his and fumh'cd tho loose garment ahout her shoulders. hut made no an- swer. Her mind was uncOnSciously prepared for terrible things.
 They accused mc of tre crime"
 The girl Casped. Her hands tlut- tered, toward her throat
 "Youm
 Me" he answered. strained and slow. "Pve come to tell you, myself, hecauSe-becuuse-you trusted me. The mob had the rope around my throat. But the sheriff got me away, and put me in jail. broke out, and came to tell you. couldn't bear for you to think"
 She stood perfectly still inside the window. He mistOoll her silence. He laid his hand on the window ledge and tried to drive hls eyes through the gloom to her face.
 "PIease believe me" he pleaded. He couldn't have pleaded harder had he faced Judge and jury. Instead of mere lv a ragged girl of the FlatwOOds. "I didn't kill Louie Solomon. didn't take the Blue Moon"
 The white arms reached out toward him.
 '.No! No! I do believe you"
 Her face had come close to the win dow. He could see her eyes-like star spots in the dark-big with startle- ment. for they had caught sight of his tattered blouse; the dried blood on him. and clOtted in his hair. With cry. her hands went to his face.
 "Why, your head is bleeding! And your faCew
 Scratches, Nothing but scratches" he hastily reaSsured in tones that eau ton held low; pained at her distress; pleased, too; his eyes alight
 But this one on your head! It's cut-deep-and still bleeding" Her voice was steadler. "You must let me bind up this one"
 He glanced toward Fallen Rock.
 "We da'sn't risk a light" he said. 'For your sake We da'sn't. The night has eyes. And they'll comb these woods tomorrow"
 She shrank back into the room. He drew half a step nearer, laid his arm on the ledge and stood fumbling the easement, lost in thought