The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-08-03

| 70 WHAT ne mad dreaded. Her eyes
sprang to his face, and there was some
thing In them he had not seen there
Defore. He knew in that instant that
she had not misunderstood him. Her
face had become like the hills when
the dawn wakes them out of night;
her eyes like the sun trail across the
Wabash. With a freedom from whicf
the high moment took even the tiniest
semblance of boldness, she stepped
toward him and laid her hand on his
arm.
You're wonderful! ! don't suppose
anybody else in the world would do
such thing for folks like-us-for
| strangers. Forgive me that didn't
thank you. 1t was all so marvellous!
But do. ] do. over and Overt"
The puzzled misgivipgs on the wind
seasoned face Of the man melted up
into a slow smile.
It's nothing he sad.
That was the best he could do, the
utmost syllable he could muster.
Nothing! When Daddy is to be well,
and the good days are coming back!
How can ever thank you."
TITS nothing" he repeated I'D just
as soon you'z-he hesitated; finally add
ed the word: 'folks-had the money
for a while as to let it stand there in
the bank idle"
Yes. but how many would look at
1t that way? I'm sure the bank would
MT: nor the doctor; nor anybody-but
you. Except Daddy" she added. He
wouid-wl1en he was well. He was
like-you.'
The remark seemed to call for no
reply. At any rate the Pearhunter
made none.
But though he often lacked words,
though the moods and manners of
women were mysteries unrevealed to
him, there was no sight nor sound of
the woods and streams whose meaning |
he could not read. The falling light
drew his eye to the open door. The
first soft footed spies of twilight were
stealing over the slope. They had |
tramped the sparkle out Of the branch.
and it lay dim and dark between its
low banks. The red remnant OF the
sun .speared into the woods in crimson
shafts. A thousand clucks and chuch-
les told him that the honest wood folk |
were cuddling in for the night, and the
rogues were waking.
Anyhow he said, as If continuing
some previous remark-some remark
he had doubtless been turning over in
his mind. since he had let fan no word
of 1.-THE first thing is to sell the
pearl"
He stepped toward the open door.
she followed him. With the air OF
man seeking some excuse to linger, he
turned at the threshold.
aS,rre you're not afraid?"
AFRAID. With Daddy?" A thought
her eyes. Her face fell Tn
,nlv too safe she continued in low
,oice. Nobody in the Flatwoods would
venture near this place. They think
t's-it's-"
She did Mt finish. The man guessed,
ind stood silent.
But the future held too big hope
.or her to stay long under a cnance
loud. She raised her face after
and held out her hand. he
yrasped it in both his own.
.sDon't feel bad she said. because :
ron have no name but-Pearhunter 1 ,
haven't any either but-but- :
.sWiId Rose" he finished.
E4e watched the dimples come back;
md the soft twilight in her eyes; ana
sbaft Of bronze sunset doing straight {
magic with her hair. He felt her hand
dipping out from between nis,-tne
nshdons OF her palm; her soft fingers I
land turned away.
Down near the flat rock at the pool I
e looked back and found the cabin 6
the trees. She was still stand /
ng in the door. He waved his hand e
Ter white arm shot up in the twilight {
utlined for a brief instant against Z
be gray logs.
CHAPTER XIII. a
The Gloomy Cabin. :
The cabin at Fallen Rock was very I
loony as the PearIhunter came down
ae bluff walked around to the front t
COR and pushed it open. The fire had Il
ing since died in the stove. In the c
Wight the interior Of the cabin was n
Ike night The side of his mothers Z
hair, when the light brought it out
{ the gloom, oppressed him heavily. r
For some time he stood undecided b
1st where to lay his hands: just k
here to begin to gather up the sew Il
red threads Of his broken home. For o
n instant he was strongly tempted to
love back to the houseboat. The
ap and wash of the river would be E
SlI6T Ilau lIllS uedu SiiCiiSC. = AiO -
oss's old shotgun still stood just in G.
de the door. His eye happened to
glat on it. That dangerous moment
the early morning crossed his recol- II
elton, but for all that he found him.
If wishing for the honest old fell h
VS. company. u
The Pearlhunter had been trained "
a hard school; the school Of neces- "a
ty. It has no favorites; breeds no
eakIings. CHANGING from the shotgun
$ eye travelled over the table, still =
uttered with dishes: from the table i
the window. The wild roses in the
mbler on the sill drew his steps i
ross the floor. There was still II
ough life and color in them TO flood
5 mind with many things-the sell
g Of the pearl; a gray ghost that
id searched his face: a brave little ss7