The Mena weekly star., 1921-07-07

the Pearlhunter in its flood: it held him; overwhelmed him; found out lIt- tie hooks and crannies of his nature that he never knew were there.
 The curtains parted. A soft step crossed the carpet. The world came back. A deep breath swelled the chest of the Pearlhunter-deep as if 1t had been the only breath he had taken since the song began.
 Next to the thrush song. that was the most wonderful thing I ever heard p
 The girl looked up from rearranging the cushions in the old mans chair.
 Daddy taught me. He said 1t was my gift. He had the deepest, sort voice" she went on, more to herself than to him. Like the low tones of the cello. though it always made him sad to sing. Long ago, when I was child, he used to hold me in his arms and sing to me. He was a wonderful cellist before-i"
 She bowed her head over the chair and the Pearlhunter fancied he saw tears. But her face was soon up again, brave and cheerful.
 You could sing"
 Mel" It was about the most start. ling thing she could have said. The dry splinters of grin pinched up the corners of his eyes. "Td have the woods to myself if I tried"
 1t gestion of frown seemed to be trying to find a place on her face.
 T know what l am saying wben say that You could sing. Your voice Is soft and low and strong-like Dad dys didn't notice 1t till a little bit ago out l think l felt It all along. l 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. It was an old ribbon, old and worn. He studied her dress. It had been many a day since it was new. He recalled the old mans coat and his shoes. They were as old as hers. He glanced around the cabin 1; stole 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.
 Wild Rose !"
 Her eyes jumped to his. She let him see how much the name pleased her.
 You've just said a mighty big thing to me. You've said you trust me. That's big thing for a girl to say to a man. The Almighty alone knows
 It seemed a long time to the Pearl hunter before she raised her face. He half dreaded to see her eyes; but-a desperate glance-no reproach in them. He had not been misunder- stood.
 T don't know how I am to go on" Her throat and neck and face famed crimson at the admission. q can't leave to go out to service; and all the furniture that can be spared I have sold"
 "Only your own" he blurted out, rather imprudently, as he reflected aft erward, for how was she to know that he had glanced into her room?
 'T didn't wish Daddy to miss any thing"
 The unselfshness of her act seemed not to have entered her mind, but 1t was not lost on the PearlhuGter.
 "The storekeeper has been so good to me, and trusted me for So many things. I'm afraid to think how much owe him. But he is old, and his wife has been III. It mortifes me to have to ask him for more credit, but 1 can't let Daddy starve. Money used to come to us before he got-hurt. But l found out afterward that it always came addressed simply to Box g. Not even the postmaster knows Daddys name. Neither-do-Il"
 Her voice fell very low. The Pearl hunter pitied her, for he knew what it was like not to know "Daddy's name"
 ~The doctor says" she went on 'sthat the bullet broke piece of skull so that 1t presses on the brain. He thinks a great surgeon he knows might be able to raise that little piece of skull and made Daddy well. And that's what hurts me worst of all-that can't have if done"
 She stopped; turned her head away There came into the mans level eyes a look that the hard men of the river had learned to know.
 "T.lsten I" he said. "You nlst trust me. You must let me help you. You already know the story of the Blue Moon. Such find always brings the pearl buyers. They flock to 1t like vultures to carcass. They'll soon be here-maybe tomorrow. I'll sell the pearl and you shall send for that sur geon."
 Like one waking from dream to find the dream come true-she turned slowly and raised her face to his The full significance of his offer, the biz generosity of 1t, the immense fact of it. escaped her in the first moments Only mere detail of 1t reached her.
 sI-we-couldn't ever pay you back If was on his tongue to say he didn't expect to be paid back-that he didn't want to be paid back, but a glance al her somehow made such an answer i'm possible. The book case gave him ar inspiration.