The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1921-02-17

gave way and he sank grooming to the
fioor-writhed, Strengthened and lay
still.
The revolver was foul with blood
n gray hair. The murderer noticed
II, hastily wiped 1t away on a corner
OF the fallen mans coat, thrust ii back
into his pocket and raced the girl.
The spell a broken. She started
as IL 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 IN 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. but he was
too close to her. She whlrled toward
the door of the bedroom. The turn
was fatal. His hands reached her and
drove her back 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
hbc cNdH0u lHdt SlIuSSic Icl uiCSo
was torn, her body bruised. her hands
gradually driven together behind her
back a hot wild face near her own.
A step creaked the plank at the door.
Her assailant whirled at the sound and
she sank painting against the wall.
just inside the door, his body
crouched forward, his lips tight drawn.
stood the tall form of the Pearlhunt-
er.
Things happened so fast In the next
instant that words are 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 irst-a scant little mite of an
instant first-and Jared the aim of
the other a trifle high. The shot from
the orner merely clipped a bandage
at the top of the Pearlhunter's Shout
der, drew a little welt or 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 il again; seemed surprised
that he couldn't. He laughed oddly,
and swore; stared round toward the
girl gasped and choked. The revolver
slipped from his fingers. He CROPPED
with his hands, as If searching the
air for it; staggered. caught himself,
tottered. pitched heavily TO the floor.
The girl edged out of the corner
paS his body and threw herself upon
the form OF the old man. The Pearl
hunter eased down the hammer of his
revolver, thrust II back into his peck
ct. and stopped beside her. At the
touch of his hand. she raised her head
and knelt %stroking the still face and
crying softly. The Pearlhunter opened
the old mans coat and felt over his
heart.
Hes ~alIvei"
She laid her face down close and
spoke his name-the only name she
knew. There was no response.
"Heip 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 PearIhunter chafed one
wrist, the sheriff the other. while the
girl bathed his face. washed the blood
out of his hair. and strove to staunch
Its flow by binding up his head In cold
cloths.
Suddenly. without any warning signs
Of returning consciousness. the old
man plucked his hand away from the
P%earlhunter and rubbed 1t over his
face. His eyes came open. but they
were not the same eyes. And his face
was free from twitching. The girl
stared down upon him In wonder. The
Pearlhunter stopped low and marveled
al the startling TRANSFORMATION. Nei-
Their knew. nor ever suspected. until
the doctor explained II days later, that
the blows Of the revolver butt had
ioosened the tiny bit of skull that had
SO long shackled his brain-loosened
II at the expense of a far worse hurt.
but undoubtedly ioosened 1t. They
| only knew that the eyes were free from
the vacant stare: that his face vas
calm with the light of reason.
He felt again over his face, seemed
astonished al the beard. His eyes
calmly gazed up at the girl and stud
led her a long time.
you couldn't he Doftyf'
His voice was queer. hollow. quaver-
/ Ing like some sound from another
world. so long had II gone unused.
10th. Daddy !"
She threw her arms around him and
dropped her head on his breast. He
sat %stroking her hair. finally raised
her. looked hard at her. rubbed his
eyes and looked again.
"sYou must he Dotty. But you've
rhangs%i so since murning."
The girl seemed unable to tell him.
She srrove for words, bnt none anne.
The renrihnn'es .irew nearer
You've lsp,,r sick a long rime. air"
ne sad Sefsn wears And you're
Inst getting Neil again"
4 W 80 LISA a