The Arvada enterprise. (Arvada, Colo.) 1908-1970, 1921-01-13

BY DAVID ANDERSON



corners Of his eyes. "rd have the
woods to myself IL tried"
She looked at him. The tiniest sug.
gestion of a frown seemed to be trying
to find a place on her face.
II know what I am saying when ]
say that. You could sing. Your voice
Is soft and low md strOng-like Dad
dy's. I didn't notice It till a little bit
ago, hut l think l felt II all along. I
guess that's why trusted you-be-
cause your voice Is like Daddy's."
The Pearlhunter was standing
quite close to her. His eyes drank In
the plump white mystery Of her throat;
the bit of ribbon rising and falling
upon her bosom. II was an old ribbon
old and worn. He studied her dress.
II had been many day since II wns
new. He recalled the old mans coat
and his shoes. They were as old az
hers. He glanced around the cabin;
stole a quick look toward the east
room-her room. The Pearlhunter
was slow-in some things-but some.
how he always managed to arrive In
time. .... s e
"Wild Rose!" ..-...... 2.
Her eyes jumped to his. She let him
see how much the name pleased her.
you've just said mighty big thing
to me. You've said you trust me.
That's a big thing for girl to say to
man. The Almighty alone knows
whether ri do to trust. Now. don't
think hard Of what I'm about to say.
And wish knew some nice why to
sayit. But I don't know any way only
Just to say 1t. Don't you need help
money, mean!'
A succession Of emotions fitted
ncross the girls face-p,easure at the
name; bewilderment A. he talked on:
and at the last, smile. The man
watched the smile. 1t was q brave
smile. but It had to retreat, beaten
back by a stronger foe. Her lips drew
together; her chin quivered; she
bowed her head and buried her face
In her arms. --..--
What had be done! Had she mis-
understood him. The Pearlhunter
inwardly cursed his clumsincss. He
found his hard hand stealing toward
her hair. How helpless she wss-and
he had hurt her. His fingers strayed
over the soft locks and smOOthcd them.
It seemed long time to the Pearl.
hunter before she raised her face. He
half dreaded to sec her eyes: but-a
desperate Elanc-no reproach In
them. lie had not been misuhdef.
stood.
II don't know how I am to 20 o."
Her throat and neck and face famed
crimson Ut the admission. II can't
leave to 10 out to service: and all the
furniture that eau be spared ! have
sold"
"Only your own" he blurted out.
rather imprudently. ~ he reflected aft.
erwarti. for how was she to know that
be had glanced Into her roosnf
II didn't wish Daddy to miss any.
thing"
The unselhshness Of her act seemed
not to have entered her mind. b.: II
was not lost on the Pearlhuntes.
1.-THE stOrekeeper has heen 70 good
10 me. and trusted me for ~ many
things. I'm afraid to think tcw :'lch
I owe him. But he In old. and his wife
has been III. II mortihes me to have
to ask him for more credit, but can't
let Daddy starve. None! used 10 come
to us before he E0t-hurt. Hut !
found out afterward that Il always
came addressed simply to Box n Not
even the postmaster knows paddy's
name. Nclther-do-lw ..-l
Her voice fell very low. The Pearl.
hunter pitied her. for he knew what
II was like not to know "Dnddy's
name"
1.-THE doctor says" she went on.
that the bullet broke piece Of skull.
so that Il presses M the brain. Tie
thinks n great surgeon ne knows might
I've able 10 raise that little piece Of
skull md made Daddy we'll. And that's
what hurts me worst Of alI--that !
cant have II done"
She stopped: turned her bend AWAY.
There came intO the mans level eyes
n iook that the hard uen ~ the river
had learned to KNEW. D..
Listen" he said. "You u1i trust
me. You mun let me help you. YOu
already know the story Of the Riue
Nom. Suci, a and always brings the
pearl buyers. They hock to II Tx"
vuiiures 10 n carcass. They'll sOOn
,~ hcrs--mnyie tomorrow. m sell N"
pearl. and you shnll send for thni sur.
genn."
Like one waking from n dream II
lind the dream come truc-shc turned
slowly md rhiscd her face to his. The
| full Significance Of his offer. the big
generosity ~ II. the Immense fnct Of
II. cscnpcd her IN the first moments
| only n mere detail 81 II rcnched her.
"l-we--eouidn't ever pny you back. "
II was On his tongue 10 sny he didn't
expect 10 I've paid bnck--thnt he didn't
want to h" pnId bnck. hut n glnncc nj
her somehow mnic such mn answer I'm.
possible. The book cn,a' gnve him an