The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1921-03-17
CHAPTER TX.
once to Every Man.


back toward the cabin of the three
gables. He had come into the path
and was passing the pool when the
light went out In tte windows. He
was sorry for that. He had hoped to
have speech with the girl. Tomorrow
would be too late. Tomorrow the law
would be on his trail-and pair of
eyes more terrible than the law.
Leaving the path. he stepped out
upon the fiat rock that jutted from
the bank into the pool. Once he
glanced at the cabin; then sprang to
the bank and went on up the path.
It was far the hardest thing he had
ever tried to do in his life to go round
to that east window. 1t was partly
open. His breast was pounding; his
ears humming. He forced himself up
to the window and brought his lips
close to the sash.
'IVild Rose!"
He heard her start. and spring up
ia bed. Then all was GREATNESS sill.
'WiId Rosew I
The bed creaked He heard her
soft feet moving about over the floor.
A muffled shadow came toward the
window-a shadow and a whisper:
s'Pearlhunter
He reached his hand inside. A white
arm and slender fingers came out of
the gloom and found his palm. The
shadow ON the outside and the shadow
on the inside drew closer, the one
searching what that word would be.
The man swallowed hard 81 sold
the Blue Moon TO Louie Solomon to-
day-five thousand dollars"
He felt thrill in the girls fingers.
'"This afternoon Louie Solomon was
murdered. and the pearl stolen"
She shuddered, took her hand out of
his and fumbled the loose garment
ABOUT her shoulders, but made no an
swer. Her mind was unconsciously
prepared for terrible things.
'"They accused me of the crime!"
The girl gasped. Her hands fiut-
tered toward her throat.
"Youw
'AIe," he answered. strained and
slow. "Pve come to tell you, myself,
because because-you trusted me.
The mob had the rope around my
throat. But the sheriff got me away.
and put me in Jail. I broke out and
came to tell you couldn't bear for
you to think"
She stood perfectly still inside the
oh l,or CT
laid his hand on the window ledge and
tried to drive his eyes through the
doom to her face.
"Please believe me !" he pleaded. He
couldn't have pleaded harder had he
faced judge and jury. instead of mere
sy ragged girl of the Flatwoods. 4
didn't kill Louie Solomon. ] didn't
take the Blue Moon"
The white arms reached out toward
him.
'No! No! 1 do believe your
Her face had come close to the win
dow. He could see her eyes-like star
spots in the dark-big with startle-
ment, for they had caught sight of his
fattered blouse; the dried blood on
MIN. and ciotted in his hair. With
cry, her hands went to his face.
eWhy, your head is bleeding! And
your facet"
scratches! Nothing but scratches J"
he hastily treasured in tones that eau
zion held low; panied at her distress;
pleased. too; his eyes alight.
ssRut this one on your headi It's
cut-deep-and still bleeding" Her
voice was steadier. "You must let me
bine up this one"
re glanced toward Fallen Rock.
ave da'sn't risk a light" he said.
aFor your sake we da'sn't. The night
has ewes. And they'll comb these
woods tomorrow"
She shrank back into the room. He
drew half a step nearer, laid his arm
on the ledge and stood fumbling the
easement. lost in thought.
sand yet I've that to do that must
have light" he unused. more to him.
self than TO her, raising his head after
time and glaDcing toward the dim
outline inside the window. us there
blind on your WINDOW THAT "ouiu
hide candle"
sWhy-yes-" she answered puz-
ylysd and slow.
1t was a long time before he spoke
again, Had the light served, she might
have seen in his eyes the struggle he
was going through. He rubbed his
drawn lips together to loosen them.
GWill sou trust me in your rooms?
The girl started. Her hands clutched
Zach other. She knew it was not to
have his wounds dressed that he
asked. Short as her acquaintance
with him had been, she knew it was
not that. 1t was no light reason that
had driven him to ask such priv
lege. 1t gripped he's, shook her, but
strangely enough did not brighten her
''FH trust you"
Not often in mans life does hi
hear such gracious words. Nature j:
not lavish of such gifts. The shout
ders of the Pearlhunter lifted. Tht
droop left his head.
ssAIay I come now? The night is go
5ne. The moon will be up in another
two hours"