The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-12-04

BY DAVID ANDERSON


corners of his eyes. "I'd have thu
woods to myself If tried"
She looked at him. The tiniest sug
gestion of frown seemed to be trying
to find place on her face.
II know what am saying when
say that. You could sing. Your voice
is soft and low and st-opg-like Dad
dy's. / didn't notice it till little bi,
ago. but think felt it all along.
| guess that's why l trusted you-be
cause your voice is like Daddy's."
The Pearlhunter 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
1t had been many a day since ii was
new. He recalled the old mans coat
and his shoes. They were AZ old ~
hers. He glanced around the cabin
stole q 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 Rosel"
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 a big thing for girl to say to
man. The Almighty alone knows
whether TIL do to trust. Now, don't
think hard OF what I'm about to say.
And wish l knew some nice way to
say it. But don't know any way only
just to say 1t. Don't you need help
money, meanf"
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 q brave
smile. but 1t had to retreat, beaten
back by q stronger foe. Her lips drew
together: her chin Quivered: she
bowed her head and buried her fa:e
In her arms.
What had he done! 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 long time to the Pearl
hunter before she raised her face. He
half dreaded to see her eyes; but--a
desperate glance-no reproach In
them. He had not been misunder-
stood.
II don't know how am to 60 on"
Her throat and neck and face famed
crimson at the admission. II can't
leave to 60 out to service; and all the
furniture that can be spared have
sold"
"Only your own" he blurted ont.
rather imprudently. as he reflected aft
erward. for how was she to know that
he had glanced into her room2
Il didn't wish Daddy to miss any
thing"
The unselfishness Of her act seemed
not to have entered her mind. bu. 1t
was not lost on the Pearlhunter.
1.-THE storekeepar has been so good
to me, and trusted me for SO many
things. I'm afraid to think fcw .,uch
/ owe him. But he Is old. and his wife
has been Ill. It mortifies me to have
to ask him for more credit, but can't
1n< m d<lx, C<o ~xyc NHaua. ,,.,..., .......,
to us before he got--hurt. But ]
found ont afterward that 1t always
came addressed simply to Box %. Not
even the postmaster knows Daddy's
name. Neither-do-I!"
Her voice fell very low. The Pearl
hunter pitied her. for he knew what
It was like not to know 'Daddy's
name"
1.-THE doctor says" she went on.
that the bullet broke piece of skull.
30 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 well. And that's
what hurts me worst of all-that !
can't have It DONE"
She stopped: turned her head away.
There came into the mans level eyes
D look that the hard men Of the river
had learned to know.
Listen I" he said. You .nlat 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 II like
vultures to carcass. They'll soon
De here maybe tomorrow. I'll sell the
pearl. and you shall send for that sur
geon."
Like one waking from dream to
ind the dream come true-she turned
slowly and raised her face to his. The
hull Significance Of his offer, the big
Of It, the immense fact OF |
t. escaped her ID the first moments. |
Only mere detail Of It reached her.
1--we couldn't ever pay you back"
Il was on his tongue to say he didn't |
.xpect to be paid back-that he didn't |
want to be paid back. but glance at |
Ter somehow made such an answer i'm |
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