The state herald., 1921-05-06
Just inside the door. his bony
crouched forward, his lips tight drawn,
stood the taIl form Of the Penrlhunt-

stood the tall form Of the Pearlhunt-
er.
Things happened so fast In the next
instant that words are too slow to
keep up with them. 1t was man to
man, and an even draw. The two
shots came so close together that the
hills out through the open door caught
hut one echo. But the shot from the door
struck tirst--a scant little mite of an
instant tirst--and Jared the aim of
the other II trifle high. The shot from
the corner merely clipped n bandage
at the top of the Pearlhunter's shoul-
der, drew little welt on the skin,
and whistled harmlessly away into the
night. The bullet from the door evil
IDENTIFY found the core of the target.
The Red Mask bent backward. The
revolver dropped to his side. He tried
to raise 1t again; seemed surprised
that he couldn't. He laughed oddly,
and swore; stared round toward the
girl; gasped and choked. The revolver
slipped from his fingers. He CROPPED
with his hands, as If searching the
air for 1t; staggered. caugi.; himself.
tottered, pitched heavily 10 the iloor.
The girl edged out OF the corner
past his body and threw herself upon
the form of the old man. The Pearl
hunter eased down the hammer OF his
revolver, thrust 1t back into his pock-
ct and stopped beside her. AT the
touch of his hand, she raised her head
and knclt stroklng the still face and
crying softly. The peurlhunter opened
the old mans coat and felt over his
heart.
Hes aliver
She laid her face down close and
| spoke his name-the only name she
! knew. There was no response.
Help me lift him to the couch"
the man said.
| They had the old man on tile couch,
and the girl had run for water, when
the sheriff, who had been far out
/ stripped by the younger man dashed
into the cabin. All three worked over
him. The Pearlhunter chafed one
wrist, the sheriff the other, while the
girl bathed his face, washed the blood
out of his hair, and strove to staunch
its low by binding up his head in cold
cloths.
Suddenly, without any warning signs
OF returning consciousness. the old
man plucked his hand away from the
Pearlhunter and rubbed IL over his
face. His eyes came open. but thcy
We're not the same eyes. And his face
was free from twliching. The girl
stared down upon him in wonder. The
fearlhunter stopped low and marvelcd
at the startling transformation. Nei-
thcr knew, nor even suspected. until
the doctor explained II days later, that
the blows of the revolver butt had
looscncd the tiny bit OF skull that had
so long shacklcd his brain-loosenel
II at the expense Of far worse hurt.
but undoubtedly loosened II. They
only knew that the eyes were free from
,he vacant stare; t!gIt his face was
calm with the light Of reason.
lie felt again over his face. seemed
astonished ut the beard. His eyes
calmly gazed up at the girl and stud
led her long il!ne.
"You couldn't be Dotty!"
His voice was queer. hollow. quavcr.
Ing. like some sound from another
world, 50 long had IL gone unused.
''Oh, Daddyr
She threw her arms around him aud
dropped her head on his brrast lie
sat stroklng her hair. finally raised
her. looked hard at her. rubbed his
eyes and looked again.
''You must be Dotiy. But you've
changed So since morning"
The glrl seemed unable to tell him.
She stroyc for words, but non, came
The Penrlhunicr drew nearer.
you've been-sick long time. Sit"
he laid. Seven years. And you're
lust getting well again." -
The puzzled eyes. suddenly wakencd
into u world new and strange. turned
toward him.
II haven't the pleasure OF Your ac-
quaintance. lie said with the stately
politencss. OF n day long gone. May
! nsk-Y"
"I'm-Tm-"
iIe hesItnted. flushed. The girl.
calm again. came TO the rescue.
"He's the Pearlhun,er, Daddy. He's
bccn-gooj to me-slnce you've been
sick"
The old man reached out his hand.
II seemed heavy for him. The Pearl.
hunter grnsped II. He wns startled 10
lind II cold. lie glanced hastily Into
the old mans face. A pallor was
spreading over II that was unmlstak
able-the momcntary return 10 con.
sciousness was but the CLEAN that. NJ
the end OF u gray day. sometimes fiares
out between sundown and dark. lie
said nothing OF II to the girl. who was
happily busy ngain with the water and
bandnaes.
The sheriff had left the couch and
was sGuati'-, over the body OF the
/ H~ll IL. ~ll han