The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-08-09

GUS character OF the man that was
coming. The one consideration that
kept him from speaking was the tact
that he had no proof-certain knowl-
edge, but no proof. He decided not to
speak-yet. His plans he had already
formed: to guard the camp all night
himself, unknown to the others. May
be before morning he might have
proof.
You no like hirn?'' The Jew
laughed easily, hung the gourd back
over the landscape spre lding away I'M
der the genial sunshine. 1t was a pic
ture that might well challenge a man
to pause-eyen Louie Solomon.
'fVot you do now?"
The question caught the Pearlnuner
unawares. He too, was gazing out
over the landscape, but absorbed in
things of which the. PLACID little Jew
had not the remotest inkling.
Il hardly know" he answered slow
ly, as if feeling for each word. Thought
maybe I'd go to SCHOOL,
SCHOOL," The Jew ridiculed the
word with his hands. Il know Already
men could be professors, undt dey got
noting. I go by school not more as
two weeks for mine life, undt look at
me-"
The Pearlhunter did not look at him
hard faced. red-nosed, yellowlsh
teeth, potty protuberance, swung to
the front of his waistline. 1t looked
like two weeks wasted.
Why, you don't buy timber? You
can shoot it dis waterfall into flume
undt run a mill yet"
The Pearlhunter made no answer.
The little Jew talked on.
You can but it de F7atwoods a
ready yet, if you handle right your
money" He walked back around the
end of the cabin. The Pearlhunter
followed. We'll, you come long ven
you git ready hain'dt it?"
He went on down the slope, through
the bushes toward his skiff; the Pearl
hunter turned in at the cabin door.
Alone at last, he did the very thing
that nine men out of ten would have
done; took the draft out of his pocket
and fingered it over-the concrete and
tangible evidence of a great day won.
He had seen it born at midnight; had
seen it drive in through the gates at
now it was forever his.
He spelled out the magic words: Five
wavy line, no hundredths.
dollars. He said each bold figure over
to himself. Slowly face grew alive
the words and figures; a face
framed in yellow hair; eyes that |
laughed. They had laughed for him.
He had made them laugh. The draft |
would make them laugh again. And to- |
she should send for that sur
seon.
The sound of grooming came in at
the cabin door from the bushes down |
the hill. The face was gone from the |
Iraft. He thrust it back in his pock-
1t and stepped into the yard. His first |
thought was that the little Jew, none
100 sure-footed among the rocks, had /
stumbled and hurt himself.
The groan came again. He sprang
INTO the bushes. The Jew had hurt
nimself. A look so wild and terrible
The Pearhunter had never seen upon
The face of man. He had fallen upon
ais back, with one arm cramped under
1im. The other arm was free, but he
seemed unable to rise. With his free
1and he was clawing desperately at his
bosom, and the fingers of the hand
we're mussed with blood
The Pearlhunter leaped down the
ill and bent over him. 1t was then
he saw what the bloody hand was
.lawing at-the handle of knife, hilt
ieep in his breast. The Pearlhunter
.aised him, and the other hand came
rec. 1t clutched bit of cloth of
tanning red-a red mask.
The Jew opened his eyes; recognized
he man bearing his up.
Dot timber buyer" he gasped out
# his flooded chest. He choke me
tear off de mask-he sthick me-"
rhe stricken Jew dropped the mask
md beat the pocket of his vest. Him
mel! De pearl! De Blue Moon!" His
yes grew vacant; flared up again.
Mine Colt! Rachael! Rachael.
His mouth qu.vered open so wide
hat his beard rumpled upon his !,
,reast; and the blood welled out over
is chin. His eyes bulged; the smeared
myers ceased clawing at the knife; he
,asped twice; and dropped back
lead. J
(To be continued tomorrow