The state herald., 1921-03-18

/ the white skiff. The three rOwers We're
still In their places gum as their en-
plOyer was volublc.
1t was well toward evening when
they pulled up to the landing at which
the hOuseb0at lay. Louie gave careful
| directions where to build the fire. and
followed the Pearlhunter up through
the undcrbrush beyond the strip of
open shore, and TO the cabin, tapping.
every few steps. the pocket where the
pearl. lay. He went straight to the
spring.
you should eat supper nit me.
haln'dt It?' he said, the dripping
gourd poised In his hand.
"Sure. But I'm not much on that
friend---of yours. think. I'll leave be-
fore he comes.'
The Pearlhunter had for some time
been debating with himself whether
or not to warn Solomon Of the danger
Gus character Of the man that was COM
ing. The one consideration that kept
him from speaking was the fact that
he had no proof-certaln knowledge.
but no proof He decided not to speak
yet.
"You no like hIm?" The Jew
laughed easily, hung the gourd back
on the stick and stood looking ont over
the landscape spreading away under
the genial sunshine.
'Vot you do now?"
The question caught the Pearlhunter
unawares. He. too, was gazing out
over the landscape. but absorbed In
things OF which the placid little Jew
had not the remotest inkllng.
~ hardly know" he answered slow
iy, as II feeling for each word.
Thought maybe I'd go to school,"
SCHOOL," The Jew ridlculed the
word with his hands. II know Already
men could be professors, undt dey got
noting. I go by school not more as
two weeks for mine life, undt look at
me-"
The Pearlhunter did look at him
hard-faced, red-noscd. yellowish teeth.
potty prOtubcrnnce swung to the
front Of his waistline. It looked like
two weeks wasted.
"Why you don't buy tlmber1 You
cen shoot 1t dis waterfall into q flume
undt run mill yet"
The Pearlhunter made no answer.
The little Jew talked on.
"iou can buy II de Flatwoods a.
ready yet. II you handle right your
money" He walked back around the
end Of the cabin. The Pearlhunter
followed. "Vell, you come long ven
you get ready, hain'dt it?'
He went on down the slope. through
the bushes toward his skiff the Pearl
hunter turned in ut the cabin door.
Alone at last, he did the very thing
thpi nine men out of ten would have
done: took the draft out of his pocket
and fingered It ovcr-the concrete and
tsngiblc evidence OF great day won.
He had seen 1t born at midnight; had
scsn II drive In through the gates Of
dawn-and now II was forever his. He
spelled out the magic words: Five
thousand, wavy line. no hundredths.
dollars. lie snld each bold figure over
to himself. Slowly face grew alive
among the words ana figures; face
framed In yellow hair: eyes thnt
laughed. They had laughed for him.
he had made them laugh. The draft
would make them laugh agaln. Aud
tomorrow she should send for that sur
geon.
The sound of groanipg came In at
the cabin door from the bushes down
the hill. The face was gone from the
draft. lie thrust II back In his pocket
and stepped out into the yard. His
first thought was that the little Jew.
none too sure-foo,cd among the rocks.
had stumbled and hurt himself.
The groan came again. lie sprang
into the bushes. The Jew had hurt
himself. A look so wild and terrible.
the Pearlhunter had never seen upon
the face OF man. lie had fallen upon
his bnck, with on" arm cranped under
him. The other arm was free. but he
seemed unable to rise. With his free
hand he was clawing desperately nj
his bosom. and the fingers Of the hand
were mussed with blood
The Pearlhunter icaped down the
hill and bent over him. II was then
he saw what the bloody hand was
clawing at-the handle Of a knife. hilt
deep In his breast. The Pearlhuntcr
raised him. and the other hand came
free. II ciutchcd bit OF cloth OF liam.
Ing red-n red mask
The Jew opened his eyes. recognized
the man bearing him up.
dot timber buyer" he gnsped out of
his flooded chest. 'IIe choke mel