The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1921-03-11


room In desperation. It lighted final.
~ on the cello still leaning against the
old mans chair.
You can teach me singin' lessons y
He said It a good deal as q man
might consent to a surgical operation
with the chances dead against him.
THAT wouldn't be worth-money,r
she said. 'That would Just be fun, II
things were SO ! could"
The Pearlhunter picked up his hat
from the table, stood fumbling 1t and
thinking intently. 1t went against the
grain Of him to give up till the last
lick was struck. Something she had
said few minutes before happened
into his thoughts.
when your father Is well, there'll
be more money coming to Box %. He
can pay me back then himself"
He said 1t slowly-like man laying
his last card on the table. and the odds
against him.
But the effect was utterly opposite
to what he had dreaded. Her eyes
sprang to his face, and there was
something In them he had not seen
there before. He knew in that In
stant that she had not misunderstood
him. With a freedom from which the
high moment took even the tiniest
semblance of boldness, she stepped to-
ward him and laid her hand on his
arm.
You're wonderful I don't suppose
anybody else In the world would do
such a thing for folks like-us-for
strangers. Forgive me that 1 didn't
thank you. 1t was all so marvellous. !.
But / do, I do, over and overt"
The puzzled misgivings on the wind
seasoned face Of the man melted up
into a slow smile.
'It's nothing" he said.
That was the best he could do. the
utmost syllable he could muster.
Nothing! When Daddy is to be
we'll, and the good days are coming
baekl How can ever thank your
Its nothing" he repeated. I'D just
as soon you"-he hesitated; finally
added the word. '.folks-had the mon
ey for a while as to let 1t stand there
in the bank Idle"
Yes, but how many would look aeit
that way7 I'm sure the bank wouldn't;
nor the doctor; nor anybody-but
you. Except Daddy" she added -He
would-when he was well. He was
like-you."
anyhow" he said. as II continuing
some previous remark-some remark
he had doubtless been turning over 10
his mind, since he had let fall no word
Of 1.-THE Hrst thing is to sell the
pearl"
He stepped toward the open door.
She followed him. With the air Of a
man seeking some excuse to linger, he
turned at the threshold.
"Sure you're not afraidr'
Afraid, With DaddyY A thought
ciouded her eyes Her face fell. I'm
only too safe" she continued In low
voice. Nobody in the Flatwoods
would venture near this place. They
think it's-it's-"
She did not finish. The man guessed.
and stood silent.
But the future held too big a hope
for her to stay long under a chance
cloud. She raised her face after O
moment and held out her hand. He
grasped II In both his own.
Don't feel bad she said, because
you have no name but--Pearlhunter.
haven't any either but-but-"
wild Rose" he finished.
He watched the dirnpies come back
aud the soft twilight In her eyes; and
a shaft nf bronze sunset doing straight
magic wfth her hair. He felt her hand
slipping out from between bis--the
cusbions of her palm; her soft fingers
and turned away,
Down near the fiat rock at the pool
he looked back and found the cabin
through the trees. She was still stand
Ing Ia the do1r, He waved his hand.
Her white arm shot up Ia the twilight.
outlined for brief instant ngninn the
gray logs