The state herald., 1921-05-13

and gauzy wings glance and glitter
through yellow sunshine and soft
shade, like flakes of star dust sitting
down out of the sky.
But If the woods have many cradles.
they also have many graves. There
was n new one this placid June evening
at Fallen Rock-a new one beside the
me that was almost new. There We're
orchids upon them both. A man and
a maid had together hunted the woods
for them. Only such ms they could
have found so many. Only to her fav.
orites does nature show the way to her
treasures.
The stanch old Boss and hard-fnced
Bull Masterson were back at thei
watts and clam rakes, Billy's grand
mother was staying at the cabin OF
the three gables n few days tor COM
pany.
The Pearlhunter came from the VII
lage In the still evening. Along the
dim, slim path through the woods he
came, against the face OF the sunset.
The swing and spring of II master of
men was In his stride, for he carried
In his pocket a telegram addressed to
man with name ut last, " David
Wulf Wnrbriiton. The Telegram told
OF two fortunes awaiting down the
river, of houses and lands, and advis-
Ing that Judge Eskrdge was on his
way.
Near the turn of the path he stopped
and stood listening. The song of
thrush was charming the silence. Only.
the song carried certain delicious,
elusive witchery that no bird throat
ever knew. He stole along the path.
stopped and stood with barred head.
Upon the fiat rock at the pool stood
the Wild Rose, the tears running down
her face, her lips and throat olive with
the magic OF song. A lady cardinal
perched upon her shoulder. A king
cardinal fidgeted and twitched his crest
on nn Overhanging twig that almost
brushed her hair. A pair of shy
thrushes futtered and fitted In reach
OF her hand. Other birds walked up
and down nearby branches, or darted
down for hurried peck at the crumbs
she had scattered over the rock.
The tears drowned the blue; the
song ceased. The birds flutiered away
one by one. The girl bowed her head
and stood with claspsd hands, gazing
down at the quiet water.
The mans step reused her. She
al hnr hun de IN
to reach toward him-but Instantly
claspeJ themselves again. He turned
from the path, stepped out on the rock
and came TO her side. a moment her
eyes met his, and then went hack Ia
the placid water. and she stood crying
softly.
She turned back to him after n time,
poor little hnlf-iruwned smile strug.
gled out and brought n suggestion OF
the dimples bnck.
81 hnd TO tell !" she said
''It was wonderful ~ he answered
very softly. ns II his voice might dis
turb the spell Of the music before the
echoes had finished carrying II 10 the
rest of the woods.
The leaves hung motiOnlesS. ns II
waiting for the song 10 start again.
The tinklc Of the rifle whcr" the wa
ter walked up at tile lower edge Of the
pool came out Of the silence.
''rle telegram came" hn went On
after long time. at snys'-he
hrsltnted. MS II pondcrlng the next
words before giving Them speech, as
II half dreadlng 10 give them speech
that Judge ESkrldge liz coming for
you"
The words strangely carried the
girls thoughts back to n mother driven
forth to die In loneliness aud poverty;
10 n grave on n hill overlooking tile
river. where the hand of II friend had
ibid her; to n greni, silent house; 10
stern aid man relentinr In his last
hour
II shnn't ro back with him" she
said. "Sone day ri go back io the
grave on ~. hin, hut not-now."
The man stood weighing the words
In his SLOW way.
~ shnn'i either" lie paused n ma
men,: went on. I'm going to tear
down the old cabin at Fnllen Rock.
clear out ~. undrrbrush. lay out
grounds. aud build n house. Why
should leave III. rinlwoods? Al
that ! ear" for In the world ~ here;
my father my mother, nnd-you."
The las, word came hard for him.
The girl lifted n hurried, shy half
glance to his fncr; dropped her eyes
again To the quiet water.
"rhe Blue Moon" he went on, "ls-
somehow II 0ughin't 10 pass
from hand 10 hand for inst-moncy!
Mother spent her ne for II. now
know why" There cnmc pause. "i'll
never need that five thousand dollnrs
md mnyhc Louie Snlomun's widow
does. I've nrrnngcd with the sheriff
10 send her the draft. aud I've Kept
the pearl"
The girl softly clnspcd her hands