Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1921-02-19


to his fortune, if no word comes. What
word, do you suppose? And why
should any word prevent you falling
heir TO his fortune.-your father'sF"
Il wondered about that. guess its
just lawyer talk. Do you think
should answer that letter."
Il think you should"
"But what would l say? AS said
q while ago, I never wrote letter"
Neither did l." He saw the answer
did not relieve the perpexity on the
thoughtful face, and went on "But
Ia tell him about your life here, and
about your fathers accident, and
that this is the first letter you've re-
ceived for seven years" He hesitated,
seemed to study his next word finally
added "And I believe I'd ask him 20
come; yes, 1 believe l would-ask him
to come"
why, of course; why couldn't
think of that? Now you'd better lie
down while l get you a mite of sup
per-"
In an instant he was on his feet,
protesting.
Il shall have to get supper for
Daddy, anyhow" she emphasized.
and / wouldn't think of letting you
go without"
When a woman talks like that, IT'S
no use to argue. The Pearhunter
didn't-whlch shows that he was
learning fast.
"Will you eat with me againY
She swept him deep courtesy.
IF the famous finder Of the Blue
Moon is not ashamed to eat with his
cook"
He bowed low. It cost him a pang
in his side, but It didn't get to his
face.
IF the rich heiress. Miss Hesper
Daavn, is not above eating with the
the Pearlhunter-"
Wonderful is the residence of youth
With a gay laugh she danced away to
the kitchen. He tramped after her.
His two old friends, the Boss and
dour-faced Bull Masterson. would
have been astonished at the sounds
that came through that kitchen door
TIE slow, deliberate, serious-faced
Pearlhunteri He was dancing about
the cook stove. carrying dishes. and
laughing as lightly as if half the
neighborhood was not ont hunting him
with every sort Of weapon the Flat
woods could furnish.
That supper! Bacon and eggs,
brown toast, and coffee, And the
hands that poured that coffee and put
the sugar in. and spread the toast! It
had TO be eaten in semidarkness, for it
wouldn't do TO risk n candle-semi-
darkness, but not in silence. He for
got that the girl just around tile cor
ner of the table had turned out TO be
a rich heiress-the princess" Of his
fairy story-while he was only the
PearIhunter-a man without a name
Twilight at the windows warned
him that the dark was lowering like a
night raven over the woods. His time
had come. The business of a man was
afoot
She closed the stove hearth to hide
the fire light He opened the east
door Of the kitchen, once more the
grave, cautious woodsman. she hyl
out her hand he laid 1t upon the arm
in the sling; covered it with his own
ovid Rose" he said. you'll all
WAYS be that, no matter what they call
you."
The fancy went through him that
her hand thrilled, ever so slightly, up
on his arm. He closed his great palm
over IT.
"The woods shall be safe tomorrow
for you-and me- he said. and fol-
lowed the words with the boldest act
If his life-licked up the hand from
his arm and laid it to his lips. Tie
next instant he had slipped away into
the gathering night
Buried in the bushes. he spared a
second to look back She was still in
the dark frame of the door.
A sound like the passing Of whls-
per, like the breeze playing with soft
leaves, caught his quick ear. A gray
ghost-the Wild Man Of the Flatwoo3s
fitted along under the cliffs and en-
tered the cabin.