The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-08-02
CHAPTER xii.
Snies of fha TMiiinh&

picture dissolved; the evening world
became a vast emptiness, an emptiness
the silence poured In to fill It caught
the Pearlhunter in it's flood; It held
MIN; overwhelmed him: found out lit
tie hooks and crannies Of MS nature
that he never knew before was there.
The curtains parted A soft step
crossed the carpet. The world came
back. A deep breath swelled the
chest OF the Pearlhunter-deep as If
Il mad been the only breath he had
taken since the song began.
Next to the thrush song, that was
.ne most wonderful thing I ever
Inc girl looked up from rearranging
the cushions in the old mans chair.
daddy taught me. He said it was
my gift He had the deepest, soft
voice, she went on, more to herself
tnan 20 him. Like the low tones Of
the cello. though it always made him
SAD to sing. Long ago, when I was
child, he used to hold me in his arms
i and sing to me. I'd hear the tears
come into his voice. put up my hand
| ana feel them running down his face
Tnen he'd hold me close and tell me a
story; but I'd rather have him sing.
he was wonderful celIist before-.e
she bowed her head over the chair
and the Pearlhunter fancied he saw
| tears. But her face was soon up again,
brave and cheerful
/ You could sing"
Mel" It was about the most start.
4 Oh
dry splinters of grin pinched up the
corners of his eyes. I'D have the
woods to myself if tried"
She looked at him. The tiniest sug-
gestion of a frown seemed to be trying
to find place on her face.
DO you know, I don't like you to
say that"
j There! ! didn't mean that for
got that I was talking to a big, strong
man, instead of to the squirrels and
/ cardinals. And you're the only man
We talked to, except the doctor and
storekeeper.'
The Pearlhunter wanted to say
something to-but for the life
of him couldn't think of a thing to
say-that would do to say. spot
of dust on the sleeve of his blouse
] caught his eye. He looked hard at it;
brushed it away. The girl talked on.
"But won't quite take back what
said. You could sing. Your voice is
soft and low and strong-lik Daddy's.
I didn't notice it till a little bit ago,
but / felt it all along. I guess that's
why I trusted you-because your voice
is like Daddy's.'
The Pearhunter was standing quite
close to her. His eyes drank in the
plump wkite 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.
lit had been many a day since IT was
/ new. He recalled the old mans coat
/ and his shoes They were as old as
I hers. He glanced around the cabin;
Estole a quick look toward the east
i. roon,--her room. The Pearlhnnter
/ was slow-in some things-but some
how he always managed to arrive in
| time.
wild Rose..
Her eyes jumped to his. She let
hao soc how much the name pleased
| her.
.You.ve just said mighty big thing
i to me. You've said you trust me.
That's a. big thing for a girl to say 70
4 man. The Almighty alone knows
wbat,,er III do to trust, Now don't
/ think hard Of what I'm about to say.
And I wish I knew some nice way 70
saw Il. But I don't know any way
oniv lust to say if. Don't you neeo
help-money, I mean2"
/ a succession of emotions fhtted
across the girls face:-pleasure al tne
name. bewildernent as he talked on !:
i ard AZ last. a smile. The man watched
i the smile. 1t was brave smile. uu'
e had to retreat. beaten back pv a
stronger foe. Her lips drew together,
,s- .cl,;y auivered: she bowed Ter head
80 h,,ria5 her face in her arms.
what had he DONE Had she 'nisun
derstood him. The Pearinunter
wardly cursed his clumsiness'
searched for some word 70 coilior =
i her. AS well search gray SKY LOT 2
/ star. He found his haro mana
ing toward her hair. HOW neip,rss
Eshe was-and he had nurt 80
i fingers strayed over tne SOL
land smoothed them
It seemed ioA6 800 go, 49,. II.
| hunter before she raised ner lace. ne
half dreaded to see her eyes, Du'-a a
dsnerate gIance-no reproach In them
ne bad not been misunderstood
~ don't know how / am to go on
r5sev throat and neck famed crimson at
i the admission. 81 can't leave to go out
Ito service. and an the furniture that
can be spared have sold
/ .onlv your own" he blurted out.
rather imnrudentiy. as he reflected
: ftarward for how was she to know
i that he had glanced into her room?
i II didn't wish Daddy 70 miss any
The unselfishness OF her act seemed
not is have entered her mind, but II