American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1921-03-12

just inside the door, his body |
crouched forward. his lips tight drawn,
stood the tall form Of the Pearlhunt.
er.
Things happened 30 fast In the next
instant that words are too slow to
keep up with them. II 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 flrst-a scant little mite Of an |
instant Arst-and Jared the aim Of
the other trife high. The shot from |
the corner merely clipped q bandage
at the top Of the Pearlhunter's Shout
der, drew a little welt on the skin.
| and whistled harmlessly away into the
night. The bullet from the door evi.
IDENTIFY found the core of the target.
The Red Mask bent backward. The
revolver dropped to his side. lie tried
to raise II 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 CROPPED
with his hands, rs II searching the
air for IL; 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 ensed down the hammer Of his
revolver, thrust II back Into his peck
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.
Hes alive"
She laid her face down close and
spoke his name-the only name she
knew. There was no response.
Help mo lift him to the couch"
the man said.
They had the old man OH 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 II over his
face. His eyes came open. but they
were not the same eyes. And his face
( was free from twltching. The girl
stared down upon him In wonder. The
Pearlhunter stopped low and marveled
ut the startling transformation. Mel
Their knew. nor even suspected. until
the doctor explained It days later. that
the blows Of the revolver butt had
loosencd the tiny bit Of skull that had
10 long shackled his brain-lOosened
IL at the expense Of far worse hurt,
but undoubtedly lo0sened 1t. They
only knew that the eyes were free from
the vacant stare; that his face was
calm with the light Of reason.
lie felt again over his face. seemed
astonIshed at the beard. His eyes
calmly gazed up at the girl and stud
led her a long time.
"You couldn't be Dottyf"
His voice was queer, hollow. quaver
Ing. like some sound from another
world, so long had II gone unused.
"Oh, Daddyw
She threw her arms around him nnt
dropped her head on his breast. liz
sat stroking her hair, finally RAISED
her. looked hard ut her, rubbed hi
eyes and looked again.
"You must be Dotty. But YOU'VE
changed so since morning"
The girl seemed unable to tell him
She stroye for words. but none came
The Pearlhunter drew nearer
"You'yc been-slck n long time, SIR
he said. Seven years. And your
Just getting well again"
The puzzled eyes, suddenly wakene'
into world new aud strange, turne'
. toward him.
"I haven't the pleasure OF your nc
oualntance," he said with the statel
polIteness Of day long gone. ma,
ask-T
"Tm-T'm-"
He hesitated. flushed. The CIR
/, calm again, came to the rescue.
"He's the Pearlhunter, Daddy. He
, been-good to me-since you've bee
, sick"
! The old man reached out his han'
. f. seemed heavy Tor him. The Pear
, hunter grasped It. lie was startled
, 6nI II cold. He glanced hastily Int
|, the old mans face. A pallor wa
, spreading over II that was unmis'a'
able-the momentary return to col
$ seriousness was but the CLEAN that.
4 the end OF gray day, sometimes mare
, out between shutdown and dark. IL
3 said nothing Of Il TO the GIRL who wa
5 happily busy again with the water an
r bandages.
| nh. aha.IR haH laff the couch Qn