Cleveland County herald., 1920-12-02

guess CndtS why | LTuStSO FSu SV cause your voice Is like Daddy's."
 The Pearlhuntef was standing quite close to her. His eyes drank In the plump white mystery of her throat; the bit of ribbon rising and falling upon her bosom. It was an old ribbon, old and worn. He studied her dress It had been many day since 1t was new. He recalled the old mans coat and bis 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 Rose!''
 Her eyes jumped to his. She let him see how much the name pleased her.
 You've just said mighty big thing to me. You've said you trust me. That's big thing for a girl to say to a man. The Almighty alone knows whether I'll do to trust Now, don't think hard of what I'm about to say. And I wish I knew some nice way to say 1t. But don't know any way only just to say 1t. Don't you need help money, meanT
 A succession of emotions fitted across the girls face-pleasure at the name; bewilderment as he talked on; and at the last, a smile. The man watched the smile. It was brave 94 Ia@ HN RAfrn back by stronger foe. Her lips drew together; her chin quivered; she bowed her head and buried her face in her arms.
 What had he donei Had she mis- understood him. The Pearlhunter inwardly cursed his clumsiness. He found his hard hand stealing toward her hair How helpless she was-and he had hurt her. His fingers strayed over the soft locks and smoothed them.
 It seemed a long time to the Pearl l hunter before she raised her face. He half dreaded to sec her eyes; but-a desperate glance-no reproach in them. He had not been misunder- stood.
 "I don't know how I am to go on." Her throat and neck and face famed crimson at the admission. "I can't leave to go out to service and all the furniture that can be spared I have sold"
 "Only your own" he blurted out. rather imprudently, as he reflected aft erward, for how was she to know that he had glanced into her room2
 q didn't wish Daddy to miss any thing"
 The nselfshness of her act seemed not to have entered her mind. but 1t was not lost on the Pearlhunter.
 "The storekeeper has been so good to me, and trusted me for so many things. Pm afraid to think fcw much I owe him. But he is old, and his wife has been ill., It mortifies me to have to ask him for more credit, but I 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 Box 23. Not even the postmaster knows Daddy's l ndIne. NelIner-uo-1l
 Her voice fell very low. The Pearl hunter pitied her, for he knew what 1t was like not to know "Daddy's name"
 "The doctor says" she went on, that the bullet broke piece of skull, so that 1t presses on the brain. He thinks great surgeon he knows might be able to raise that little piece of skull and made Daddy we'll And that's what hurts me worst of all-that I can't have 1t done."
 She stopped; turned her head away There came into the mans level eyes look that the hard men of the river had learned to know.
 Listen !" he said "You mlst trust me. You must let me help you You already know the story of the Blue Moon. Such find always brings the pearl buyers They flock to 1t like vutureS to carcass They'll soon he here-mavhe tomorrow. I'll sell the pearl and you shall send for that sur geon"
 i1it>N Ci'V "thii7 llOlh uISEIn LO find the dream come true-she turned ! slowly and raised her face to his. The full significance Of his offer. the big generosity of it, the immense fact of it., escaped her in the first moments. ! On'v mere detail of it reached her. i i've ~o}.ian.j ever pa, you back.
 II was on his tongue to say he didn't expect to be paid back-that he didn't want to be paid back. but a glance at her somehow made such an answer im- possible. The book case gave him an inspiration.
 "You could let me read these books"
 Why, you could do that anyway"
 She looked at him in curious sur prise. Not knowing the hope that was slowly waking in her, he misinterpret- ed the look. He avoided her eyes.
 His generosity had overreached his tact. Such an offer couldn't be made to a girl in the same way it could be made to man. His eye roved the room in desperation. It lighted final I lV on the cello still leanin0 a0ainct tho