The state herald., 1921-04-15

where YOU are she answered TO de
slow smile, rs she hurried our to lie
kitchen and carried IN the tray.
She sat down hnsde him on The
couch, fixed his arm eass In the sling.
put sugar IN the black coffee ana even
buticrcd his toast. The Pcag'ihuntcr
had never lived in such lusuiN. 1t
was n drcam--like some of The stories
of fairies md cnclmntcd palaces his
mother used TO leli of years ago in the
long w'ntcr evenings O.; The house
boat. He half feared u.at he might
not really be awake; that, nfier all. 1t
might turn out To be so:iia trick. like
that of the gorge that closed.
She rose, pushed away The table and
helped him back upon the couch
TRY to sleep" she said while
smoothing ihc pillow undo his hend
and gain every bi, of strength you
can If you must 20 tonight
Her manner seemed not 10 invite
rcply-ra,her seemed To forbid one
He closed his eyes and settled himself
into the luxurious novelty of the sit.
uation-,he iiuppy privilege OF oheylng
such nurse.
She moved the table. back by the
window. re-arrangcd the work basket
ana vase of roses, and went TO the
kitchen with the tray. He opened his
eyes the minute she was gone. II was
'arthest from his thoughts to spend
mother moment of that wonderful day
IN Sleep His great regret was that
ne mad already spent so much of II
that way. Whatever was to happen.
II was no time to sleep.
The girl. busy with the dishes heard
The couch creak, and pitied him in his
restless pain.
I wild Rosev
She almost dropped the cup she was
wiping. That call was not inspired by
pain. No pain In the world could have
wrung 1t from him. She hurried back
INTO the room. He had risen and was
Standing near window, n look on his
lace that made her half afraid of him.
ms eyes like blade half drawn. He
had heard step. How he heard it
sensed it--only the hunted know.
The girl sprang TO his side. her eyes
followed the motion of his hand, and
her lips turned whifc. \ man was com.
ng up the path--the man both ,lrcad-
I'd most 10 see.
handsome, iaunty. dcbonair. s,nooth.
faced except for TIE aggressive mus.
/ tache slightly shot with gray the no.
'orions bandit swung along up the
walk. The Pearlhunier stood crouchcd
forward. His hand dropped to his hip.
/ closed over the bun or the revolver,
/ then slowly uncloscd. He was taking
his arm out Of the sling when the girl
,aught him. shook him. dragged him
/ back.
"ouick!" she cried, pushing him
across the floor. MY room, Behind
the curtains !"
AZ the door he hung back. his hcnd
! still over his shoulder.
II reckon must lii1c!" he muitered.
still slarlns back toward the window.
"But not there, The kItchen?"
mo. my room. It's safest"
She pushed Him behind 1he curtains.
"l'nt II he comes in?"
ale WON'T"
/ He caught glimpse Of hcr-whItc
hard rs the face OF the hllls. and the
bite in her eyes Ike bright sieri
touched with flame.
A quick glance Mt the tiny slit he.
tween The curtains behind which she
knew the rearlhunicr wns standing. n
very positive aud vigorous shake of
her finger that said palmer than words
TO stny there; and she rose and walked
with firm step to the door. A mar.
row Inch she opened IT and with her
left hand held u So. with her rlghi
shoulder proppei against II In such
way that her right side and arm were
concealed.
The man on the outside OF the door
drew hack step. and. with n swcep.
Ing how-t1o sweeping. even for the
Flatwoods-hls hat came OF and his
hnndsome face put on lis most afrnblo
smile
"And how is my wood fairy this aft.
ernoonf"
The girl made no reply. Her face.
frnmcd IN the narrow opening. changed
not shade.
Nothing so dIsconcerts man ns TO
have his advances met with silence.
Some of the lines and wrinkles that
did duty for the smile left the bold
face of the renegade.
vt was so very lonesome In the VII.
lngc. with the men NIL hunting that
desperate. that thought I'd walk out
and spend the afternoon with you. md
talk over with yon some very charm.
Ing plans have formed. You have
what believe 10 he n wonderful voice
While. to my great regret. yon have
never sung for me. yet. MS ! hnyc
passed hnck nnh forth through the
woods In my business of looking un
timber options. have sometimes
/ heard you sing. You undoubtedly have
gront voice Now ! nm rich with