The Ordway new era., 1921-02-25

corners of his eyes. I'D have the
woods to myself If l tried"
She looked at him. The TIMES, sug-
geStion of frown seemed TO be trying
to find place Oh her face.
.'I know what l am saying when |
say that You could sing. Your voice
\ is soft and low and strong-like Dad
| dy's I didn't notice it till a little bit
/ ago. but think l felt it all along. l
guess that's why 1 trusted you-be-
cause your voice is like Daddy's.'
The Pearlhunter was standing
quite close 10 her. His eyes drank in
the plump white mystery of her throat /;
the bit of ribbon rising and falling
upon her bosom. 1t was an old ribbon
old and worn. He studied her dress.
1t had been many day since II was
new. He recalled the old mans coat
and his shoes. They were as old as
hers. He glanced around the cabin !;
stole quick look toward the east
room-her room. The Pearihunter
was slow-in some things-but some
how he always managed to arrive In
time.
llC Rose.
Her eyes jumped to his. She let him
see how much the name pleased her
You've just said a mighty big thing
TO me. You've said you trust me.
That's big thing for a girl TO say to
a man. The Almighty alone knows
whether m do TO trust. Now. don't
think hard of what I'm about to say.
7 I =,
say 1t. But l don't know any way only
just to say It. Don't you need help
money. l mean5'
a succession of emotions fitted
across the girls face-pleasure at the
name; bewilderment as he talked on (;
and at the last. & smile. The man
watched the smile. Ii was a brave
smile. but it had to retreat, beaten
back by q stronger foe. Her lips drew
together; her chin quivered: she
bowed her head and buried her face
in her arms
What had he done, Had she mis-
understood him. The Pearfhunter
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.
1t seemed long time TO the Pearl
hunter before she raised her face. He
half dreaded to see her eyes; but-a
desperate glane-no reproach In
them He had not been misunder-
stood
Il don't know how am TO go on
: Her throat and neck and face famed
crimson al the admission II can't
leave 10 go out to service: and all the
furniture that can be spared l have
sold"
only your own he blurted out.
rather imprudently. as he reflected aft
erward. for how was she 70 know that
he had glanced into her room?
Il didn't wish Daddy 70 miss any
thing"
The unselishness OF her act seemed
not TO have entered her mind, bus 1t
was not lost on the Pearlhunrer.
The storekeeper has been so good
10 me. and trusted me for 50 many
things. Pm afraid to think tcw .uch
I owe him. But he is old. and his wife
has been i'll. 1t mortifies me IN have
to ask him for more credit. but can't
let Daddy starve. Money used 10 come
to MS before he got-hurt. But ]
found out afterward that it always
came addressed simply to Box %. Not
even the postmaster knows Daddy's
name. Nelther-do-Iw
Her voice fell very low. The Pearl
t,-V TT
it was like not to know "Daddy's
name"
''The doctor says" she went on.
that the bullet broke piece of skull.
so that it presses on the brain. He
thinks a great surgeon he knows might
he 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 1t done"
She stopped: turned her head away
There came into the mans level eyes
q look that the hard men of the river
had learned TO know
Listen he said you must 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 1t like
vultures to carcass. They'll soon
he here-maybe tomorrow I'll sell the
pearl. and You shall send for that sur
geon."
Like one waking from dream to
find the dream come true-she turned
slowly and raised her face to his. The
full Significance of his offer. the big
generosity of 1t, the immense fact of
it. escaped her in the first moments.
Only mere detail OF 1t reached her.
T-we-couldn't ever pay you back"
1t was on his tongue to say he didn't
expect to he paid back-that he didn't
want to be paid back. but glance at