The Ordway new era., 1921-03-11


followed the Pearlhunter up through
the underbrush 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.
hain'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-certain 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 out over
the landscape spreading away under
the genial sunshine.
"Vot you do nowf'
lie QutSllpH lllt cur
unawares. He, too, was gazing out
over the landscape. but absorbed In
things of which the placid little Jew
had not the remotest inkling.
u hardly know" he answered slow
", as if feeling for each word.
Thought maybe I'd go TO school,"
School" The Jew ridiculed the
word with his hands. 81 know Already
men could be professors, undt dey got
noting. 1 go by school not more as
two weeks for mine life, undt look at
me-"
The Pearlhunter did look at him
hard-faced, red-nosed. yellowish teeth.
a potty protuberance swung TO the
front of mis- waistline. 1t looked like
two weeks wasted.
"Why you don't buy timber? You
can shoot 1t dis waterfall into a flume
undt run mill yet
The Pearlhunter made no answer.
The little Jew talked on.
You can buy it de Flatwoods a.
ready yet, If 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 at the cabin door.
Alone at last, he did the very thing
that nine men out of ten would have
done; took the draft out of his pocket
and fingered it over-the concrete and
tangible evidence of a great day won.
He had seen 1t born at midnight; had
seen 1t drive in through the gates of
dawn-and now 1t was forever his. He
spelled out the magic words: Five
thousand. a wavy line, no hundredths.
dollars. He said each bold figure over
to himself. Slowly face grew alive
among the words and figures; face
framed in yellow hair; eyes that
laughed. They had laughed for him.
he had made them laugh. The draft
would make them laugh again. And
tomorrow she should send for that sur
geon.
The sound of grOaning came in at
the cabin door from the bushes down
the hill. The face was gone from the
draft. He thrust it back in his pocket
and stepped out into the yard. His
first thought was that the little Jew.
none too sure-footed among the rocks.
had stumbled and hurt himself.
The groan came again. He 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. He had fallen upon
his back, with one arm cramped under
him. The other arm was free, but he
seemed unable to rise. With his free
hand he was clawing desperately at
his bosom. and the fingers of the hand
were mussed with blood.
The Pearlhunter leaped down the
hill and bent over him. 1t was then
he saw what the bloody hand was
clawing at-the handle of knife, hilt
deep in his breast. The PearIhunter
raised him, and the other hand came
free. 1t clutched bit of cloth of fam
ing red-a red mask
The Jew opened his eyes. recognized
the man bearing him up.
Dot timber buyer" he gasped out of
his flooded chest. He choke mel
tear of DE mask-he shtick me-" The
stricken Jew dropped the mask and
beat the pocket Of his vest. "Himmel !!
De pearll De Blue Moon!" His eyes
grew vacant; fared up again. mine
Gott! Rachel! Rachel!"
His mouth quivered open so wide
that his beard rumpled upon his breast,
and the blood weIled out over his chin.
His eyes bulged; the smeared fingers
ceased clawing at the knife; he gasped
twice; and dropped back-dead.
The Pearlhnnter picked up the bit
of scarlet cloth that had fallen from
the dead mans hand. II is surprising
how fast man can think when he has
TO. The mystery Of the arm thrust in
at the cabin door across the moonlight