The daily Alaskan., 1920-11-30

A step Creaked the plank at the door. Her asSuIlant whirled at the sound and she sank panting against the wall.
 Just inside the door, his body crouched forward, his lips tight drawn, stood the tall form of the Pearlhunt- CT.
 Things happened so fast in the next Instant that words are too slow to keep up with them. It was man to man. and an even draw. The two shots came so close together that the hills out through the open door caught but one echo. But the shot from the door struck iirSt-a scant little mite of an Instant frSt-and jared the aim of the other trIHe high. The shot from the corner merely clipped bandage at the top of the Penrlhunter's shOul- der. drew a little welt on the skin, and whiSticd harmIeSSly away into the night The bullet from the door eyl- dently fouui the core of the target. The Red Mask bent backward. The revolver dropped 10 his side. He tried to raise it again; seemed surprised that hr couldn't. He laughed oddly, and Sworc: stared round toward the girl; saSped and chokcd. The revolver slipped from his fingers. He groprd with his hands. as if searching the air for it; staggered, caught himself, tottrrcd. pitched heavily to the floor.
 The girl edged out of the corner past his body and threw herself upon the form of the old man. The Pearl hunter caSrd down The hammer of his revolver, thrust it back into his pOck- et. and stopped beside her. At the touch uf his hand. she raised her head and knrlr S,ruk.ng the still face and crying softly. The Teurlhuntcr opened the old mans coat and felt over his heart
 Hes aliyr"
 She laid her face down close and spoke his mmp-the only name she kucw. There was no response.
 "IIrip me lift him to the couch" the man said.
 They had ghG uld man on the couch. and the girl had run for water, when the shcr;T. who had been far out stripped by the younger man. dashed into the cabin. All Jhryc worked over him. The rcarIhuntcr chufed one wrist, the shcriG' the other while the girl bathvd his face. washed the blood out of h.S hair, ard strovc to Stnunch It's flow by binding up his head iu cold cloths.
 Suddenly without any warning signs of returning consciousness, the old man pIuchrd h.S hand away from the Prurlhuuler and rubbed It over his face. His eyes came open, but they were not lhe S1me eyes. And his face was free from twiJchiug. The girl stared down upou him in wonder. The Tcurihuuter stopped low and muryelcd at the startling transformation. Nei- ther knew. unr even suspected, until the doctor explained i. days later. that the blows of .hr ~oy0Iyer butt had loosrnrl he tiny hjl of skull that had so long Sharh.cd h,S hUju-looScned It at the eHpruSe oi U fur worse hurt, hut undoubtedly lnaSvucd it. They only knew JAu, the eyes were free from the vHrra ~.arr: taut his face was calm with iIa light Of reason.
 He felt u-ain oyer his face, seemrl astout-hcd at he heaRl. Ills eyes calmly gaspd up at the girl and stud jed her long Iimr.
 You couldn't be Dotty:"
 His voice was queer, hollow, Quaver- ing. liae somr sound from another world. 5, Iou- had it gone unused.
 "Oh. padIy." She threw her arms around him and dropped her head ou lis breast. He sat Suokfng her hair, finally raised herr looked hard at her. rubbed his eyes and looked again.
 You must be Dntty. But you've changed SO since morning"
 The girl seemed unable to tell him. She strOve for words but none came. The Pcurlhmter drew nearer. "You've heen-stcb q long time, sir" he said. seven years. And you're just getting well again." The puzzled eyes suddenly wakened into world new and strange, turned toward him.
 "I haven't the pleasure of your ac- uuaintancc," he said with the stately poliloness Of q day long gone, May l aSk-?"
 "rm-Tm-" He hesitatpd. flushed. The girl calm again. came to the rescue.
 Hes the Perrlhunter, Daddy. He's bccn-good to me-since you've been sick"
 The old man reached ont his hand. IT seemed heavy for him. The Pearl hunter grasprd it. He was startled to find it cold. FIe glanced hastily into the old mars face. A pallor was spreading ovar lt that w0s unmIstak- abie-rre mrmcn'0ry return to con- sciousncss w@s bu. the gleam that. at the end of a gray day, sometimes flares oi,t bn+yypnu .un1o,yu and dark, He