The Holbrook news., 1921-03-11
CHAPTER TX.
Once to Every Man.

the PearI1unter followed the night prOwler. Within sound of the water tall he followed him, and then turned pack toward the cabin of the three gables. He had come into the path and was passing the pool when the light went out in the windows. He was sorry for that. He had hoped to have speech with the girl. Tomorrow would be too late. Tomorrow the law won't he on his trail-and a pair of eyes more terrible than the law.
 Leaving the path, he stepped out upon the flat 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. It 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.
 'WiId Rose :"
 He heard her start, and spring up in bed. Then all was breathless still.
 ''Wild Rose T"
 The bed creaked. He heard her soft feet moving about over the floor. A muffied shadow came toward the windOw-a shadow and whisper:
 "Pearlhunteri
 He reached his hand inside. white arm and slender fingers came out of - the gloom and found his palm. The shadow on the outside and the shadow
 a11 k1 searching what that word would be. The r1an swallowed hard. ''I 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 fumbIed the loose garment about her shoulders. but made no an swer. Her mind was unconsciously prepared for terrible things.
 ''Fhey accused me of the crime !"
 The girl gasped. Her hands flut- tered toward her throat.
 Your
 Me" he answered. strained and slow "I've come to tell you. myself, because-because- trusted me. The mob had the rope around my throat. But the sheriff got me away, and put me in jail broke out. and came to tell you. I couldn't bear for you to think"
 She stood perfectly still inside the window. He mistoOk her silence. He laid his hand on the window ledge and tried to drive his eyes through the gloom to her face.
 Please believe mel" he pleaded. He couldn't have pleaded harder had he faced judge and jury, instead of mere ly a ragged girl of the Flatwoods. q didn't kill Louie Solomon. I didn't take the Blue Moon"
 The white arms reached out toward him.
 "No! No, do believe youl"
 Her face had come close to the win dow. He could see her eyes-Iike star spots in the dark-big with startle ment. for they had caught sight of his tattered blouse; the dried blood on him. and clotted in his hair. With a cry. her hands went to his face.
 "Why. your head is bleedingi And your facei"
 "ScratchesI Nothing but scratches i'' he hastily treasured in tones that eau tion held low; pained at her distress; pleased, too; his eyes aIight.
 ''But this one on your headl It's cut-deep-and still bleeding" Her vo-ce was -teadier. You must let ne bigi up this one"
 He glanced toward Fallen Rock.
 We d.. n't risk a light" he said. -For yorr sake we da'sn't. The night has eyes And they'll comb these woods tomorrow"
 She shrank back into the room. He drew half a step nearer, laid his arm or the ledge and stood fumbling the easement, lost in thought.
 And 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 glancing toward the dim outline inside the window. "Is there a blind on your window that would hide a candIe?"
 "Why-yes-" she answered, puz- zled and slow.
 It was 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. .'iViIl you trust me in your rOOm?" The girl started. Her hands 2lutched each 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. It was no light reason that had driven him to ask such privi- lege. It gripped her. shook her. but strangely enough did not frighten her. 'T'Il trust you"
 Not often in a mans life does he hear such gracious words. Nature is not lavish of such gifts. The shouI- ders uf the PearIhunter lifted. The drOOp Jeff his head.
 May I come now? The night is go- ing. The moon will be up in another two hours"
 Yes" She stood farther back in the gloom. He slipped lightly in over the sill.
 Please draw the blind before you light the candle," he directed. He saw her arm reach up along tl-e easement. The blind came down. within touching distance of each other they stood in pitch darkness: a man