Cleveland County herald., 1921-01-13

opening or the tDlrd paragraph dropped her hands in her lap and turned to her companion. He had bent forward and sat staring at the floor.
 "What does 1t mean?"
 'ft means" he said slowly after a time, with his eyes still on the floor. | that you are q rich helressi and | you've got a-name."
 "A namew she repeated, her wom- ans intuition instantly catching the | minor note. "So have you, and"-she reached in her bosom and drew out the draft-"a fortune. And you made them both yourself"
 He glanced at the draft; waved if away without lifting his head.
 Keep 1t, please. for me till after tonight"
 She put 1t back in her bosom, picked up the letter and sat pondering, steal ing an occasional glance at his glum face.
 "Seven years the letters came" the man unused. half aloud, "and you never received them. The postmaster has stroke-you receive the very next let ter that comes"
 You don't reckon-?"
 ''Reckonl It's plain case. Let's see-every. month-six hundred year seven years-seyen times six hun dred-no wonder he could build that new house."
 "Oh. we'll Poor old mani He's paying for it."
 And do you think that's the way man pays?"
 ometimes-maybe."
 The man raised his eyes after time to the bright spots of metal in the gathering gloom above the mantel.
 'The letter called him famous sol dier. Maybe that's his sword, and spurs2"
 "They are"
 And you keep them shining bright like that?"
 Always"
 The man was silent q long time. One other question had come to him, but he dreaded to ask 1t. He twisted him self around so as to look Into the face of hls companion. It was deeply thoughtful. Things had recently hap pened in his own life that had brought the question to his mind. Finally very softly. reverently, he ventured 1t forth
 And your motherf"
 The girl caught her breath; dropped one hand, doubtless unconseiously up 1, t- sIn IT IA. sI pI low.
 q never saw her" she said, after a time. And she-never saw met There was a pause. "Her grave is on hill that overlooks the river Dad l dy took me and came up here in the Flatwoods to forget. guess he couldn't forget. for he never went back"
 The Pearlhunter was sorry he had asked the question. The grave that overlooked the river! Was there not mother such grave-not three days old; the orchids upon it still alive! The gray eyes followed the blue into the pensve shadows.
 ''I wonder what 1t means" he medl- tated half aloud. You are to fall heir to his fortune, if no word comes. What word, do you suppose? And why should any word prevens you falling heir to hls fortune,-your father'sT'
 T wondered about that. guess it's just lawyer talk. Do you think I should answer that ietter?"
 q think you should"
 "But what would I sayP AS I said T while ago, never wrote a letter."
 "Neither did l." He saw the answer did not relieve the perplexity on the | face. and went on. But | I'd tell him about your life here. and 1 lbout your father's.-accident. and | hat this is the first letter you've re- 'elped for seven years" He hesitnted, seemed to study his next word. finally idded: And I believe I'd ask him to ,ome; yes. believe would-ask him O come"
 "Why, of course; why couldn't I hink of that? Now you'd better lie own while I get yon mite of sup er."
 In an instant he was on his feet 
 T shall have to get supper for )addy, anyhow" she emphasized And wouldn't think of letting you Q without"
 When woman talks Ike that, it's 10 use to argue. The Pearlhunter shows that he was e;li Ains-fasI.
 "Will you eat with me again?'
 She swept him deep courtesy.
 "If the famous finder of the Blue loon is not ashamed to eat with his ook-"
 He bowed low. It cost him a pang n his side. but 1t didn't get to his ace.
 If the rich heiress, Miss Hesper Dawn, is not above eating with the he Pearlhunter-"
 Wonderful is the residence of youth, With gay laugh she danced away to he kitchen. He tramped after her.
 His two old friends. the Boss and l lour-faced Bull Masterson. would | lave been astonished at the sounds