Cleveland County herald., 1920-12-23
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Once 4o Euerv Man.

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 Nacr to ard the cabin of the three eles. Pe had come into the patb and was passing the pool when the l light went out in the windows. He was sorry for that. He had hoped tt l have sneech with the girl. Tomorrow l would be too late. Tomorrow the law wonld be on his trail-and pair of eyes more terrible than the law. Leaving the path, he stepped eui upon the fiat rock that jutted from 1 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 has' ever tried to do in his life to go rouno ! to that east window. It was partly open. His breast was pounding; his ears humming. He forced himself up l to the window and brought his hpS close to the sash.
 "Wfld Rose!'
 He heard her start and spring IF in bed. Then all was breathless st5n.
 "Wild Rosei"
 The bed creaked. He heard her soft feet moving about over the floor. 1 X muffied shadow came toward the wIndow---a shadow and whisper: "Pearlhunter
 He reached his hand inside. X whlts l arm and slender fingers came out 0f the gloom and found his palm. The shadow on the outside and the shadow on the inside drew closer, the eDe searching what that word would be,
 The man swallowed hard. ~ sold the Blue Moon to Louie Solomon te- fiay--five thousand dollars" He felt thrill In the girls fingers
 '"This afternoon Louie Solomon was murdered, and the pearl stolen.
 She shuddered. took her hand out ot bis and fumbled the loose garment about her shoulders, but made no ap- swer. Her mind was unconscl0usfy prepared for terrible things.
 '"T1hey accused me of the crims!" The girl gasped. Her hands f1t tered toward her throat. ''You!'
 Me- he answered, strained and slow five come to tell you, myself, because-because-y 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. l couldn't bear for | you to think"
 She stood perfectly still inside the window Ha mlstook her silence. He lai6 ms hand on the window ledge ag2 tried to drive his eyes through the ] gloom to her face. "Please believe me!' he pleaded He couldn't have pleaded harder had he faced judge and jury, instead of mere- 1 iy a ragged girl of the Flatwoods. " didn't kiN Louie Solomon. I didn't take the Blue Moon" The white arms reached out toward him.
 NO! No! ! do believe you!'' Her face had come close to the win
 dow. He could see her eyes-like star spots in the dark--blg with startIe- ment, for 'hey bad caught sight of his tattered blouse he dried blood oh him. ane clotted tn his hair With a cry, her hands vent to his face.
 "Why. your head Is bleedingi And your face'''
 Scratches, Nothing hut scratchesw 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 steadier "You must let me bind up this one"
 He glanced toward Fallen Rock.
 eve da'sr't rist a light" he said "F0r vour sake we da'sn't The night has eyes. And they'll comb these woods tomorrow"
 She shraDk back into the room. He drew half step nearer. laid his arro on the ledge and stood fumbling the easement. lost in thought.
 And vet I've that to do that must have light" he mnsed, more 10 him self than to her. raising his head aftes a time and glancing toward the dim outline inside the window "Is there a blind on your window that would hide candhT'
 "Why-yes-' she answered, pug- zled and slow.
 It was a long time before he spoke again. Had the light served, she might have seen in his eyes the struggle he was going through. He rubbed his drawn lips together to loosen them. "Will you trust me in your roomY'
 The girl started. Her hands clutched each other. She knew it was not ts have his wounds dressed that he asked. Short as her acquaintance with him had been, she knew it was not that. It was no light reason thas had driven him to ask sucl; privi- 'ege. It gripped her, shook her. bns strangely enough did not frighten hex.
 "I'll trust you"
 Not often ill q mans life does he hear such gracious words. Nature is not lavish of such gifts. The shouI- ders of the Pearihunter lifted. Tft droop left his head.
 May come now? The night Is go- Ing. The moon will be up in another two hours"