Cleveland County herald., 1921-01-06

such 6 nurse.
 She moved the table back by the window, re-arranged the work basket and vase of roses, and went to the Kitchen with the tray. He opened his eyes the minute she was gone. It was farthest from his thoughts to spend another moment of that wonderful day in sleep. His great regret was that he had already spent so much of it that way Whatever was D happen, It was no time to sleep.
 The girl, busy with the dishes, heard the couch creak, and pitied him in his restless pain.
 "Wild Rose !"
 She almost dropped the cup she was wiping. That call was not inspired by pain. No pain in the world could have wrung if from him. She hurried back into the room. He had risen and was standing near window, look on his face that made her half afraid of him, his 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 white A man was eom- ing up the path-the man both dread cd most to see.
 Handsome, jaunty, debonair, smooth faced except for the aggressive mus lache slightly shot with gray, the no- tolious bandit swung along up the walk. The Pearlhunter stood crouched forward His hand dropped to his hip. closed over the butt of the revolver, lhen slowly unclosed. He was taking his arm out of the sling when the girl caught him. shook him, dragged him back
 Quick ]" she cried, pushing him across the floor. My room Behind the curtains!' p
 Al the door he hung back, his head still over his shoulder.
 "l reckon must hide!" he muttered, still glaring back toward the window. But not there! The kitchen?"
 No. my room. It's safest.''
 She pushed him behind the curtains.
 But if he comes in?"
 "He won't!'
 He caught glimpse of her-white. hard as the face of the hills, and the blue in her eyes like bright steel touched with flame.
 quick glance at the tiny slit be- tween the curtains behind which she knew the Pearlhunter was standing, q very positive and vigorous shake Of her finger that said palmer than words to stay there; and she rose and walked with firm step to the door A nar- row inch she opened it and with her left hand held 1t so, with her right shoulder pr0pped against it in such way that her right side and arm were concealed.
 The man on the outside of the door drew back step and. with a sweep. ing bow-too sweeping even for the Flatwoods-his hat came off and his handsome face put on it's most affable smile
 And how Is my wood fairy this aft. ernoon"
 The girl made no reply. Her face. framed In the narrow opening. changed not shade.
 Nothing so disconcerts a man as 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.
 "It was so very lonesome in the vil- lage, with the men all hunting that desperado, that thought I'd walk out and spend the afternoon with you, and talk over with you some very charm ing plans I have formed You have what believe to be a wonderful voice While, to my great regret, you have never sung for me- yet. as I have passed back and forth through the woods in my business of looking up timber options, have sometimes heard you sing. You undoubtedly have great voice. Now, I am rich, with no one to spend my money on. What better could I do with 1t than give to the world great singer? If you will go with me, you shall have the best training the world affords"
 He put one foot up on the doorstep. his face beaming-if such a face can beam. The Pearlhunter stiffened in his place behind the curtain. The girl never changed hairs breadth in the narrow opening between the cheek Of the door and the jamb. Her cold si- fence was apparently too much even for the bold man that faced her.
 "Aren't you going to invite me in?"
 My father is away this afternoon. I can not invite you in"
 It was the first word she had spok- en--a word cold and hard enough; but the brazen intruder seemed to take encouragement from it.
 linen permit me to invite myself"
 He advanced step, laid his hand to the door, pushed lightly. The narrow slit between cheek and jamb widened not hair.
 The passions of a Prussian noble were behind that face outside. They began to break through It's thin ve- neer of politeness. He put his hat back on, but still kept his hand on the door.
 .g.-t.4 Il.