The Lamar register., 1920-10-06

the bit OF ribbon rising and falling
upon her bosom. II was an old ribbon,
old and worn. He studied her dress
II had been many day since II was
new. He recalled the old mans coat
and his shoes. They were as old as
hers. He glanced around the cabin |:
stole a quick look toward the east
room--her room. The Pearlhunter
was slow-in some things--but some.
how he always managed TO arrive In
time.
wild Roser'
Her eyes Jumped to his. She let him
see how much the name pleased her.
you've Just said a mighty big thing
TO me. You've said you trust me.
That's q big thing for a girl to say to
man. The Almighty alone knows
whether I'll do to trust. Now. don't
And ! wish l knew some nice way to
say It. But don't know any way only
just to say 1t. Don't you need help
money, meanr
succession OF emotions nitted
across the girls face-plessure at the
name; bewllderment as he talked on !:
and al the last, smile. The man
watched the smile. II was u brave
smile, but IL had 10 retreat. beaten
back by q stronger foe. Her lips drew
together; her chin Quivered; she
bowed her head and buried her face
In her arms.
What had he done Had she mis-
understood him. The Pearihunter
inwardly cursed his clumsiness. He
found his hard hand stealing toward
her hair How helpless she wss-and
he had hurt her His fingers strayed
over the soft locks and smoothed them.
II seemed q long time to the Pearl
hunter before she raised her face. He
half dreaded to see her eyes: but-a
desperate glancs-no reproach In
them. He had not been misundsr.
stood.
II don't know how am TO 80 on"
Her throat and neck and face named
crimson 81 the admission. Il cant
leave TO 90 out to service; and all the
furniture that can be spared I have
sold"
only your own" he bIurted out,
rather imprudentiy. a. be reflected AFT
erward, for how was she 10 know that
he had glanced into her roomt
Il didn't wish Daddy to miss any.
thing"
The unselfshness of her act seemed
not to have entered her mind. but II
was not lost on the Pearlhunter.
THE storekeeper has been so good
TO me, and trusted me for 30 many
things. I'm afraid to think Row much
! owe him. But he Is old. and his wife
has been Ill. II mortines me to have
to ask him for more credit. but can't
let Daddy starve. Money used to come
to US before he got-hurt But
found out afterward that It always
came addressed simply to Boz 2s. Not
even the postmaster knows Daddys
name. Neither-do-I"
Her voice fell very low. The Pearl.
hunter pitied her. for he knew what
IT was like not to know "Daddy's
name"
The doctor says" she went on.
that the bullet broke q piece of skull.
so that It presses on the brain. He
thinks q great surgeon he knows might
" uOle W fhlsc tIlht little piece OI
skull and made Daddy well. And that's
what hurts me worst Of all-that !
can't have It done"
She stopped; turned her head away.
There came into the mans level eyes
q look that the hard men Of the river
had learned to know.
Listen !" be said. You must trust
me. You must let me help you. Yeu
already know the story Of the Blue
Moon. Such find always brings the
pearl buyers. They flock to II like
vultures TO a carcass. They'll soon
be here-maybe tomorrow. I'll sell the
pearl. and you shall send for that sur.
gson."
Like one waking from a dream to
fnd the dream come true-she turned
slowly and raised her face to his. The
full significance OF his offer, the big
generosity of 1t. the immense fact OF
1t. escaped her in the drst moments
Only a mere detail OF It reached her.
"I-we-couldn't ever pay you back"
II was on his tongue to say he didn't
expect 10 be paid back-that he didn't
want TO be paid back, but g glance al
her somehow made such an II -er im-
possible. The book case gave liz n
Ip0piYet.-&