The Mena weekly star., 1921-12-01

LIuule uIoohtut buIdilh AOSSAAVAs LIN knife fell from his fingers, his knees gave way and he sank grooming to the fioor-writhed, straightened and lay still.
 The revolver was foul with blood and gray hair The murderer noticed 1t, hastily wiped it away on corner of the fallen mans coat, thrust 1t back into his pocket and faced the girl.
 The spell was broken. She started as if from a nightmare and sprang back of the chair. Like a man pressed for time, he dashed after her. With the chair between them, she managed for bare moment to keep beyond his hands. He kicked the chair out of the way. She darted toward the kitchen door, probably with the hope of escaping to the woods, but he was too close to her. She whirled toward the door of the bedroom. The turn was fatal His hands reached her and drove her back into the corner of the room at the head of the couch.
 She fought as only woman fights flor a stake infinitely higher than life itself. Since time began the earth has staged that struggle. Her dress was torn, her body bruised, her hands gradually driven together behind her back; a hot wild face near her own. A step creaked the plank at the door. Her asssilant whirled at the sound and she sank panting against the wall.
 Just inside the door, his body crouched forward, his lips tight drawn, stood the tall form of the Pearlhunt- er
 Things happened so fast in the next instant that words are too slow to keep up with them. It was man to man, and an even draw. The two shots came so close together that the hills out through the open door caught but one echo. But the shot from the door struck first--a scant little mite of an instant flrst--and jared the aim of the other a trifle high. The shot from the corner merely clipped a bandage at the top of the Pearlhunter's shoul- der, drew a little welt on the skin, and whistled harmlessly away into the night. The bullet from the door evi- dently found the core of the target. The Red Mask bent backward The revolver dropped to his side. He tried to raise 1t again. seemed surprised that he couldn't. He laughed oddly, and swore; stared round toward the girl; gasped and choked The revolver slipped from his fingers. He groped with his hands, as if searching the air for 1t; staggered. caught himself, tottered, pitched heavily to the floor.
 The girl edged out of the corner past his body and threw herself upon the form of the old man. The Pearl hunter eased down the hammer of his revolver. thrust 1t back into his pock- ct and stopped beside her. At the touch of his hand, she raised her head and knelt stroking the still face and crying softly. The Pearlhunter opened the old mans coat and felt over his heart
 He's alive '"
 She laid her face down close and spoke his name-the only name she knew There was no response.
 Help me lift him to the couch, !" the man said.
 They had the old man on the couch. and the girl had run for water, when the sheriff, who had been far out stripped by the younger man, dashed into the cabin. All three worked over him. The Pearlhunter chafed one wrist the sheriff the other, while the girl bathed his face, washed the blood out of his hair, and strove to staunch its flow by binding up his head in cold cloths.
 Suddenly, without any warning signs of returning consciousness. the old man plucked his hand away from the Pearlhunter and rubbed 1t over his face His eyes came open. but they were not the same eyes And his face was free from twitehing. The girl stared down upon him in wonder. The Pearlhunter stopped low and marveled at the startling transformation. Nei- ther knew, nor even suspected, until the doctor explained 1t days later that the blows of the revolver butt had loesened the tiny bit of skull that had so long shackled his brain--loosened t at the expense of a far worse hurt, but undoubtedly loosened 1t. They only knew that the eyes were free from the vacant stare; that his face was calm with the light of reason.
 He felt again over his face. seemed astonished at the beard. His eyes calmly gazed up at the girl and stud fed her a long time.
 You couldn't be Dotty7"
 His voice was queer, hollow, quaver- Ing. like some sound from another world, so long had it gone unused.
 "Oh, Daddy"
 She threw her arms around him and dropped her head on his breast He sat stroklng her hair finally raised her, looked hard at her. rubbed his eyes and looked again.
 You must be Dotty. But you've changed 80 since morning"
 The girl seemed unable to tell him She stroYe for words. but none came The Peerlhunter drew nearer.
 You've been-slck long time. slr" he said. "seyen years. And you're just getting well again"
 The puzzled eyes, suddenly wakened