Cavalier County farmers press. (Langdon, N.D.) 1920-1921, 1920-11-11

land gain every bit of strength you
cam if you must go tonight"
Her ann seemed not to invite q
reply-rather seemed to forbid one.
He closed his eyes alid settled himself
into the luxurious novelty of the sit
uaeion-the happy privilege of obeying
such a nurse.
She moved the table back by the
window, re-arranged the work basket
ana vase of roses, and went to the
Kitchen with the tray. He opened his
eyes the minute she was gone. It was
1arthest from his thoughts to spend
another moment of that wonderful day
IN sleep. His great regret was that
ne mad already spent so much Of 1t
that way. Whatever was to happen,
1t was no time to sleep.
The girl, busy with the dishes, heard
the couch creak, and pitied him in his
restless pain.
wild Rose!"
She almost dropped the cup she was
Wiping. That call was not inspired by
pain. No pain in the world could have
Wrung 1t from him. She hurried back
into the room. He had risen and was
standing near a window, a look on his
lace that made her half afraid of him,
ms eyes like a blade half drawn. He
had heard n step. How he heard it
sensed it-only the hunted know.
The girl sprang to his side, her eyes
followed the motion of his hand, and
her lips turned white. A man was COM
Ing up h path-the man both dread
ed most to see.
handsome, jaunty, debonair, smooth
raced except for the aggressive u
tache slightly shot with gray, the no.
torlous bandit swung along up the
walk. The P~earlhunter stood crouched
forward. His hand dropped to his hip,
closed over the butt of the revolver,
then slowly Enclosed. he was taking
MS arm out Of the sling when the girl
caught him, shook him, dragged him
back.
"Quick" she cried, pushing him
across the floor, "My ROOM! Behind
the curtains"
At the door he hung back, his head
still over his shoulder.
II reckon I must hide !" he muttered.
still glaring back toward the window.
But not there! The kitchen?"
mo, my room. It's safest"
She pushed him behind the curtains.
but if he m in?"
"He won't!"
He caught a glimpse of her-white,
hard as the face of the hills, and the
blue in her eyes like bright steel
touched with flame.
A quick glance at the tiny slit be-
tween the curtains behind which she
knew the Pearlhunter was standing. a
very positive and vigorous shake of
her hnger that said palmer than words
to stay there; and she rose and walked
with a firm step to the door. A mar
row inch she opened it and with her
left hand held it so, with her right
shoulder propped against it in such a
way that her right side and arm we're
concealed.
The man on the outside of the door
drew back a step, and, with a sweep
ing bow-too sweeping, even for the
F1atwOOds-his hat came off and his
handsome face put on it's most affable
smile.
"And how is my wood fairy this aft
ernoon?"
The girl made no reply. Her face,
framed in the narrow opening, changed
not a shade.
Nothing so d~isconcerts a man as to
have his advances met with silence.
Some of the lines and wrinkles that
did duty for the smile left the bold
face Of the renegade.
1T was so very lonesome In the viii
lage, with the men all hunting that
desperate, that thought I'd walk out
and spend the afternoon with YOU, and
ak over with you some very charm
Ing plans have formed. You have
what believe to be a wonderful voice.
While, to my great regret, you have
never sung for me, yet, as I have
passed back and forth through the
woods in my business of looking I'D
timber options, I have sometimes
heard you sing. You undoubtedly have
a great voice. Now, I am rich. with
no one to spend my money on. What
better could I do with it than give to
the world a great singer? If YOU will
&c with me, you shall have the best
training the world affords"
He put one foot up on the doorstep,
his face beaming-if such a face can
beam. The ~Pearlhunter stiffened in
his place behind the curtain. The girl
never changed a hairs breadth in the
narrow opening between the cheek of
he door and the jamb. Her cold ST.
lence was apparently too much even
for the bold man that faced her.
Aren't you going to invite me IMP"
MY father is away his afternoon.
! can not invite you in" i,
It was the first word she had spok-
en-a word cold and hard enough:
but the brazen intruder seemed to q k
encouragement from it.
Then permit me to invite myself"