The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1921-02-25

knife fell from his fingers. his knee
gave way and he sank grooming TO the
floor-wr!thed. Strengthened and lay
still
The revolver was foul with blood
and gray hair. The murderer noticed
II, hastily wiped ii away on a corner
OF the fallen mans coat. thrust it back
into his pocket and raced the girl.
The spell was broken. She started
as If from a nightmare and sprang
back of the chair. Like a man pressed
for time. he dashed after her. With
the chair between them, she managed
for a bare ome to keep beyond his
hands. He kicked the chair out of
the way. She darted toward the
kitchen door, probably with The hope
OF escaping to the woods. bur he was
100 close TO her. She whirIed toward
the door of the bedroom. The turn
was fatal. His hands reached her and
drove her bach into the corner Of the
room at the head of the couch.
She fought as only a woman fights
for a stake infinitely higher than
life itself. Since time began the earth
has staged that struggle. Her dress
was torn, her body bruised, her hands
gradually driven together behind her
back a hot wild face zeal her own.
A step creaked the plank at the door.
Her assaiIant whirled at the sound and
she sank painting against the wall
just inside the Cor, his body
crouched forward, his lips tight drawn,
stood the tall form of the PearIhunt-
er.
Things happened so fast In the next
instant that words arc too slow to
keep up with them. 1t was.man to
man, and an even draw. The two
shots came so close together that the
hills out through the open door caught
but one echo. But the shot from the door
struck first-a scant little mite of an
instant frst-and Jared the aim of
the other a trifie high. The shot from
the corner merely clipped a bandage
at the top of the P~earlhunter's Shout
der. drew a little welt on the skin.
and whistled harmlessly away into the
night. The bullet from the door evil
IDENTIFY found the core of the target
The Red Mask bent backward. The
revolver dropped to his side. He tried
to raise it again; seemed Surprised
that he couldn't. He IaughedA4K,
and swore; stared round toAh8
girl gasped end choked} The o.Zbf
slipped from his fingers He CROPPED
with his hands. as If searching the
air for II; staggered. caught himself.
tottered. pitched heavily to the floor.
The girl edged out of the corner
past his body and threw herself upo1
the form of the old man. The Pear
hunter eased down the hammer of his
revolver. thrust II back into his pock-
ct. and stopped beside her. At the
touch of his hand. she raised her head
and knelt stvoking the still face and
the old mans Goa and felt over his
heart.
Hes allvew
She laid her face down close and
spoke his name-the only name she
knew. There was no
Help me lift him to the couch"
the man said.
They had the old man on the couch.
and the girl had run for water, when
the sheriff, who had been far out
stripped by the younger man, dashed
into the cabin. All three worked over
him. The ~Pearlhunter chafed one
wrist, the sheriff the other. while the
girl bathed his face. washed the blood
out of his hair. and strove to staunch
It's flow by binding up his head In cold
Suddenly. without any warning signs
returning consciousness. the old
nan plucked his hand way from the
.pearlhunter and rubbed il over his :
ACE. His eyes came Open. but they
we're not the sam eyes. And his face
free from twitching. The girl ,
stared down upon him in wonder. The ,
'earlhunter stopped low and marveled
Il the startling transformation. Nei- :
her knew. nor even suspected. until
doctor explained 1t days later. that
blows of the revolver butt had
oosened the tiny bit of skull that had
o long shackled his brain-loosened a
at the expense of a far worse hurt. a
nj undoubtedly loOsened II. They n
My knew that the eyes were free from h
he vacant stare: that his face was d
aim with the light of reason. /
He felt again over his face. seemed ii
storished at the beard. His eyes s.
almts gazed up AT the girl and stud O
"a hrr a long time. c,
',.You couldn't be Dotty?" b.
His voice was queer. hollow. quaver- 81
*. ike some sound from another c,
GRID. so long had IL zone unused. n
"Oh. Daddy" W
She xhrew her arms around hin and ri
Popped her head on his breast. He &C
II stroking her hair. finally raised In
er, looked hard AT her. rubbed his a
res and looked again. G
you INST be Dotty. But you've
Iangel SO since morning"
The girl seemed unable to tell him.
re strove for words. but none came. IN
ne Pearlhunter drew nearer. ar
You've been-sick a long time. sir" a