The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1921-05-14


II haven't the pleasure of your ac-
quaintance." he said with the stately
politeness Of day long gone. MAY
l ask?
"rm-Tm-"
He hesitated. flushed. The girl.
calm again. came to the rescue.
Hes the Pearlhunter. Daddy. He's
been-good to me-since you've been
sick"
The old man reached out his hand.
1t seemed heavy for him. The PEARL
hunter grasped 1t. He was startled to
find 1t cold. He glanced hastily into
the old mans face. A pallor was
spreading over 1t that was unmistak-
able-the momentary return to con-
seriousness was but the CLEAN 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.
'sThis feller amt 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 a damp cloth from the basin
by the couch. and wiped his face. The
touch of the cold cloth rallied him.
"WaterI" 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 a man trying to make out
objects In q 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 q cussed Warbritton
that got me at last r.
"Who speaks the name of Warbr1t-
tonf' came a hoarse voice from the
couch.
The dying bandit started. rolled his
eyes toward the sound.
what was that! That voice"
The Pearlhunter caught the foot Of
= Ahn
two fast sinking men could see each
other. No sooner had the gray giant
on the couch caught a glimpse Of the
man on the floor than, with q 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 Redmond !" he cried-and
aimonst instantly: where is she7
The woman you distained? And the
boy? Tell mel I've still the strength
to tear 1t 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.
"WarbrittOn-w He muttered the
name huskily. the bloody froth upon
his lips. "She was not distained. It
was all a mistake. let you think it
because 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 a 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
picture and laid it against his lips.
The Pearlhunter snatched it away. The
action brought the picture near the old
man. He seized 1t. held it an instant
before his eyes, and with deep groan
laid II against his bosom.
"And the boy?" he cried to the man
on the floor. 1.-THE boy?"
(TO BE CONTINUEDJ