The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1921-04-23
CHAPTER TX.


fall he followed him, and then turned
back toward the cabin of the three
gables He had come into the path
and was passing the pool when the
light went out In the windows. Be
was sorry for that. He had hoped to
have speech with the girl. Tomorrow
would be too late. Tomorrow the law
would be on his trail-and pair Of
eyes more terrible than the law.
Leaving the path. he stepped out
upon the nat rock that jutted from
the bank into the pool. Once he
glanced at the cabin: then sprang to
the hank and went on up the path.
1t was far the hardest thinA he had
ever tried to do In Als life to % round
10 that east window. It WAS partly
open. His breast was pouas1ing; his
ears humming. He forced himself up
10 the window and brought his lips
close to the sash.
"Wild Rossi'
He heard her start. and spring up
in bed. Then all was breathless still.
"wiid Rosei"
The bed creaked. He heard her
soft feet moving about over the floor.
A munled shadow came toward the
vindow-a shadow and q whisper:
"Pearlhuntefr
He reached his hand inside. A white
arm and slender fingers came ont Of
the gloom and found his palm. The
shadow on the outside and the shadow
on the inside drew closer. the one
searching what that word would be.
The man swallowed hard. II sold
the Blue Moon to Louie Solomon to-
day-nve thousand dollars"
He felt thrill In the girls fingers.
This afternoon Louie Solomon was
murdered. and the pearl stolen"
She shuddered. took her hand out Of
his and fumbled the loose garment
about her shoulders. but made no an
swer. Her mind was unconsclously
prepared for terrible things.
"They accused me of the crime!"
The girl gasped. Her hands nut
tered toward her throat.
"You!"
"Ne." he answered. strained and
slow. "I've come to tell you. myself.
because-because-you trusted me.
The mob had the rope around my
throat. But the sheriff got me away.
and put me In jail. broke out. and
came to tell you. l couldn't bear for
you to think"
She stood perfectly stiil inside the
window. He mIstook her silence. He
laid his hand On the window ledge and
-
gloom to her face.
splease believe mel" he pleaded. He
couldn't have pleaded harder had he
faced Judge and Jury. instead Of mere
~ ragged girl Of the Flatwoods. Il
didn't kill Louie Solomon. l didn't
take the Blue Noon"
The white arms reached out toward
him.
.No! No! do believe you!"
Her face had come close to the WIN
dow. He could see her eyes-like star
spots In the dark-big with startle-
ment, for they had caught sight of his
tattered blouse: the dried blood on
him. and clotted in his hair. With a
cry. her hands went to his face.
swhy. your head is bleeding! And
your facet"
SCRATCHES! Nothing but scratches"
he hastily treasured In tones that eau
tion held low: panied at her distress:
pleased. too; his eyes alight.
"But this one on your head! It's
cut-deep-and still bleeding" Her
voice was steadier. "You must let me
bind up this one"
He glanced toward Fallen Rock.
1--WE da'sn't risk light" he said.
-For your sake we da'sn't. The night
has eyes. And they'll comb these
woods tomorrow"
She shrank back Into the room. He
drew half. a step nearer. laid his arm
on the ledge and stood fumblins the
easement. lost In thought.
.And yet i've that to do that must
have light" he unused. more to him
self than to her. raising his head after
q time and giancing toward the dim
outline inside the window. us there
q blind on your window that would
hide a candief"
"Why-yes-" she answered. pus-
sled and slow.
1t was long time Defore ne SPOKE
again. Had the light served. she might
have seen in his eyes the struggle he
was going through. He rubbed his
drawn lips tosether to loosen, them. 2.
"Will you trust me In your roomT"
The girl started. Her hands clutched
each other. She knew II was not to
have his wounds dressed that he
asked. Short a. her acquaintance
with him had been. she knew 1t was
not that. II was no light reason that
had driven him to, ask such privi-
lese. II gripped her. shook her. but
strangely enough did not frighten her.
sf'il trust you"
Not often Ii man's life does he
hear such gracious words. Nature ID
not lavish Of such gifts. The shout
-. - &h> na> elhnntAe 1lFfnA The