The daily Alaskan., 1920-11-25

A voice out of the big world she had visited only in dreams. She glanced again at the letter, looked hard at the opening of the third paragraph, dropped her hands in her lap and turned 10 her companion. He had bent forward and sat staring at the floor.
 What does it mean?"
 Tt means" he said slowly after a time, with his eyes still on the floor. that you are rich helress; and you've got a-name."
 "A namcI" she repeated, her wom- ans intuition instantly catching the minor note. "So have you, and"-she reached In her bosom and drew out the draft-"a fortune. And you made them both yourself"
 He glanced at the draft: waved it away without lifting his head.
 Keep it, please, for me till after tonight"
 She put 1t back in her bosom, picked up the letter and sat pondering, steal ing an occasional glance at his glum face.
 Seven years the letters came" the man unused, half aloud, 'and you never received them. The postmaster has a stroke-you receive the very next let ter that comes"
 You don't reckon-?"
 "Rcckon! It's a plain case. Let's sre-every month-six hundred year seven yearS-seven times six hun dred-no wonder he could build that new house."
 "Oh, well! Roor old man! He's paying for It."
 And do you think that's the way a man pays?"
 SOmetimcs-maybe."
 The man raised his eyes after time to the bright spots of metal in the gathering gloom above the mantel.
 "The letter called him a famous sol Gler. Maybe that's his sword, and SpurS?"
 ,"They are"
 And you keep them shining bright like that?'
 Always"
 The man was silent a long time. One other question had come to him, but he dreaded to ask 1t. He twisted him self around SD as to look into the face of his companion. It was deeply thoughtful. Things had recently hap pened in his own life that had brought the question to his mind. Finally very softly, reverently, he yentured 1t forth.
 And your mother?"
 The girl caught her breath; dropped one hand. doubtless unconsciously, up- on his shoulder. Her lashes dropped low.
 q never saw herw she said, after a time. And She-never saw mel" There was a pause. Her grave is on a Ifn that ovprlOOks the river. Dad dy took me and came up here in the FlatwOods to forget guess he couldn't forget, for he never went back"
 The PearlhuHter was sorry he had asked the question. The grave that overlooked the river! Was there not another such grave-not three days old: the orchids upon 1t still alive The gray eyes followed the blue into the penSivc shadows.
 "I wonder what it means" he medi- tated half aloud. You are to fall heir to his fortune, if no word cones. What word. do you suppose? And why should any word prevent you falling heir to hlS fOrtune,-yOur father'SF
 "I wondered about that I guess it's just lawyer talk. Do you think l should answer that letter?'
 "I think you should"
 "But what would I say? AS 1 said while ago, never wrote letter"
 "Nrithcr did l." He saw the answer did not relieve the pGrpleXity on the thoughtful face and went on. "But Td tell him ahout your life here, and about your father's-aCcident, and that this is the first letter you've re- cpIyci for seven years" He hesltated, seemed to study his next word. finally added: And believe I'd ask him to come: yes, I believe I would-ask him to cone."
 "Why, of course; why couldn't l think of that? Now you'd better lie down while I get you a mite of sup per"
 In an instant he was on his feet protesting.
 "I shall have to get supper for Daddy. anyhow" she emphasized And wouldn't think of letting you go without"
 When q woman talks like that, it's no use to argue. The Pearlhunter didn't-which shows that he was Iearning-fast.
 will you eat with me agalnf"
 She swept him deep courtesy.
 "Ir the famous finder of the Blue Moon is not ashamed to eat with his cook"
 He bowed low. It cost him a pang in his side, but 1t didn't get to his face.
 AFs.,