The Mena weekly star., 1921-12-01

politeness of a day long gone. May l ask--f"
 "Tm--Im-"
 He hesitated, flushed. The girl, calm again, came to the rescue.
 He's the Pearlhunter, Daddy. He's been-good to me-since you've been sick"
 The old man reached out his hand. IT seemed heavy for him. The Pearl hunter grasped it. He was startled to find 1t cold. He glanced hastily into the old mans face. pallor was spreading over 1t that was unmlstak- able-the momentary return to con- sciousness was but the gleam that, at the end of gray day, sometimes flares out between sundown and dark. He said nothing of 1t to the girl who was happily busy again with the water and bandages.
 The sheriff had left the couch and was squatted over the body of the fallen bandit. The Pearlhunter hap pened to glance that way. The sheriff beckoned to him.
 "This feller ain't dead yet" he said, when the Pearlhunter had joined him. The young man stopped over the sprawled robber. He was still breath ing.
 "He don't deserve it." the sheriff went on, but it's only common de- cency to get him up"
 He put his arm under the man and raised him, while the Pearlhunter brought damp cloth from the basin by the couch, and wiped his face. The touch of the cold cloth rallied him.
 "Waterl" he mumbled, husky and strained
 The girl had turned and was looking on. She ran to the kitchen and brought a cupful. The Pearlhunter held 1t to the mans lips. He couldn't swallow, but the touch of the water seemed to revive him. He opened his eyes and stared, like man trying to make out objects in very dim light. His eyes caught the glitter of the sheriff's star. frowned, raised, found the Pearlhunter and strained hard at him.
 And 1t was a cussed Warbritton that got me at lastl !"
 "Who speaks the name of Warbrit- tonr came a hoarse voice from the couch.
 The dying bandit started, rolled his eyes toward the sound.
 "What was that! That voicel"
 The Pearlhunter caught the foot of the couch and moved 1t around so the two fast sinking men could see each other. No sooner had the gray giant on the couch caught glimpse of the man on the floor than, with a great cry, he tried to rise His utmost strength only served to bring him part ly up on an elbow,--and that only with the Pearlhunter's aid.
 Martin Redmondp he cried-and almOnst instantly: Where Is she? The woman you distalned7 And the boy2 Tell me! I've still the strength to tear it out of your cursed throat !"
 The dying robber fixed his falling eyes on the couch. Only God knows who giveth his grace to the just and to the unjust-how he found strength for further words.
 ''Warbrltton-" He muttered the name huskily, the bloody froth upon his lips. "She was not distalned. It was all a mistake l let you think it because l hated you-because loved her-because she loved you and not me. Twenty years she's roved these rivers, pure as the dew at dawn. She sleeps tonight in grave four days old at Fallen Rock"
 He picked up his hand from where 1t sagged down upon the floor, carried 1t at great labor to his bosom, fumbled under the fancy vest, drew forth a picture and laid 1t against his lips. The Pearlhunter snatched 1t away. The action brought the picture near the old man. He seized 1t, held 1t an instant before his eyes, and with deep groan laid 1t against hls bosom.
 And the boy7" he cried to the man on the floor. "The boy?"
 The Red Mask was going fast, but he raised his face and muttered hoarsely: |:
 "The boy-stands before you"
 Since the old man snatched the pie ture the Pearlhunter and the girl had been staring at each other. Events were happening. developments unfold ing. too fast for comprehension. The old man was staring at them both, from one to the other. as If unable to grasp revelation that had been twen- ty years coming. He stretched up his hands at last to the young man. pulled his face down to him. gazed on it as at something of which he had long dreamed but never hoped to see 1; turned back 10 the man on the floor.
 Martin Redmond. m requlie the deed you've done. the one good deed of your evil life. The little girl I've raised as my own. the child of tine good woman you cruelty kllled. the child you deserted. your daughter stands before you"