The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1920-12-24
by DAVID ANDERSON


room in desperation. 1t lighted final
ly on the cello still leaning against the
old mans chair.
you can teach me singin' lessons !"
He said it good deal as man
might consent to a surgical operation,
with the chances dead against him.
THAT wouldn't be worth-money,"
she said. THAT would just be fun, If
things were so ] could"
The Pearlhunter picked up his hat
from the table, stood fumbling 1t and
thinking intently. 1t went against the
grain of him to give up till the last
lick was struck. Something she had
said a few minutes before happened
into his thoughts.
be more money coming to Box %. He
can pay me back then himself"
He said 1t slowly-like a man laying
his last card on the table, and the odds
against him.
But the effect WAS utterly opposite
to what he had dreaded. Her eyes
sprang to his face, and there was
something In them he had not seen
there before. He knew In that In
slant that she had not misunderstood
him. With freedom from which the
high moment took even the tiniest
semblance OF holiness, she stepped to-
ward him and laid her hand on his
arm.
You're wonderful l don't suppose
anybody else in the world would do
such a thing for folks like-us-for
strangers. Forgive me that l didn't
thank you. 1t was all so marvellous
But / do, l do, over and over I"
The puzzled misgivings on the wind
seasoned face of the man melted up
into d slow smile.
TITS nothing" he said.
That was the best he could do, the
utmost syllable he could muster.
Nothing When Daddy is to be
well, and the good days are coming
back How can | ever thank you!"
ITS nothing" he repeated. nd just
as soon you''-he hesitated; finally
added the word. "folks-had the mon
ey for a while as to let 1t stand there
in the bank idle'
| "Yes, but how many would look at 1t
that way? I'm sure the bank wouldn't
nor the doctor; nor anybody-but
you. Except Daddy she added. Gle
would-when he was WELL He was
llke-you."
| Anyhow" he said, as If continuing
some previous remark-some remark
he had doubtless been turning over in
his mind, since he had let fall no word
Of 1.-THE first thing is to sell the
| pearl"
| He stepped toward the open door.
She followed him. With the air of a
man seeking some excuse to linger, he
turned Mt the threshold.
'Sure you're not afraid?"
afraid With Daddy?" A thought
clouded her eyes. Her face fell. I'm
only too SAFE" she continued in a low
voice. Nobody In the Flatwoods
would venture near this place. They
think it's-it's-"
She did not finish. The man guessed,
and stood silent.
But the future held too big a hope
for her to stay long under a chance
| cloud. She raised her face after a
moment and held out her hand He
grasped 1t In both his own.
Don't feel bad she said, because
| you have no name but-Pearlhunter.
haven't any either but-but--"
wild Rose" he finished.
He watched the dimples come back
and the soft twilight In her eyes; and
a shaft of bronze sunset doing straight
magic with her hair. He felt her hand
slipping out from between his-the
cushions of her palm her soft fingers
and turned away.
Down near the fiat rock at the pool
he looked back and found the cabin
through the trees. She was still stand
ing In the door. lie waved his hand.
Her white arm shot up In the twilight,
| outlined for brief instant against the
gray logs.