The Holbrook news., 1921-02-04

l stole a quick look toward the east
 was slow-in some things-but some
 how he always managed to arrive in
 time.
 Wild RoseI'
 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 a big thing for girl to say to
 a man. The Almighty alone knows
 whether I'll do to trust. Now, don't
 think hard of what Pm about to say. And 1 wish l knew some nice way to say it. But don't know any way only just to say it. Don't you need help money, mean?'
 A succession of emotions fitted across the girls face-pleasure at the name; bewilderment as he talked on i; and at the last, smile. The man watched the smile. It was a brave smile, but it had to retreat, beaten back by a 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 Pearlhunter 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.
 It seemed a long time to the Pearl hunter before she raised her face. He half dreaded to see her eyes; but-a desperate glance-no reproach in them. He had not been misunder- stood.
 "T don't know how am to go on." Her throat and neck and face famed crimson at the admission. "I can't leave to go out to service; and all the furniture that can be spared I have sold"
 "OnIy your own," he blurted out rather imprudently, as he reflected aft erward, for how was she to know that he had glanced into her room?
 T didn't wish Daddy to miss any thing"
 The unselfishness of her act seemed not to have entered her mind, bu; it was not lost on the Pearlhunter.
 "The storekeeper has been so good 10 me, and trusted me for so many things. Pm afraid to think Fcw >Ich owe him. But he is old, and his wife has been Ill., It mortifies me to have to ask him for more credit, but ! can't let Daddy starve. Money used tc come to us before he gOt-hurt. But found out afterward that it nlways came addressed simply to Box 23. Not even the postmaster knows Daddy's name. Neither-dO-Iw
 Her voice fell very low. Tie Pearl hunter pitied her, for he knew what It was like not to know "DG ddy's 
 '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 be 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" l
 She stopped; turned her head away. l There came into the mans level eyes ! q look that the hard men of the river had learned to know.
 Listen !" he said. "You mlst trust | me You must let me help you. You | already know the story of the Blue | Moon. Such a find always brings the | pearl buyers. They flock to it like | vultures to a carcass. They'll soon | pe here-maybe tomorrow. I'll sell the pearl. and you shall send for that sur yeon"
 Like one waking from a dream to. ind the dream come true-she turned slowly and raised her face to his. The ull significance of his offer, the big of 1t, the immense fact of {. escaped her in the first moments )nly mere detail of it reached her.
 'T-we-couldn't ever pay you back"
 It was on his tongue to say he didn't ,xpect to be paid back-that he didn't want to be paid back, but a glance at Ter somehow made such an answer i'm possible. The book case gave him an inspiration.
 You could let me read these books"
 "Why, you could do that anyway"
 She looked at him in curious sur rise. Not knowing the hope that was lOwly waking in her, he misinterpret- d the look. He avoided her eyes.
 His generosity had Overreached his act Such an offer couldn't be made Q girl in the same way it could be lade to a man. His eye roved the Oom in desperation. It lighted final 7 on the cello still leaning against the Id mans chair. I You can teach me Singin' lessons v He said 1t q good deal as a man night consent to a surgical operation. -ith the chances dead against him. { That wouldn't be wOrth-mOney," he said. That would just be fun, if f things were so I could.' I The Pearlhunter picked up his hat { 'om the table, stood fumbling it and l mixing intently. It went against the f rain of him to give up till the last t ok was struck. Something she had ( lid a few minutes before happened f ito his thoughts.
 "When your father Is well, there'll t ? more money coming to Box 23. He i Tn pay me back then himself" C He said 1t slOwly-like a man laying Il S last card on the table. and the odds t yainst him.
 But the effect was utterly opposite r
 what he had dreaded. Her eyes V 'rang to his face, and there was