The state herald., 1921-02-08
CHAPTER ".
The Girl with a Basket,

The Girl With a Basket.
II was June outside. June-it
slipped down out OF the cool dells nnd
dingles Of the woods and soothed the
Penrlhunter's face, red with the stifle
and reek he Ind just left. He filled
his lungs with it-June-he TASTED II
with his lips.
With half an eve on the door Of the
Mud Hen, half an ear over his shoul-
der, he crossed to the bank.
"What name?" inquired the old
banker. making out the receipt. nfter
having placed the pearl away I'm the
vault.
The color set the tan on the young
mans face aflre. I, was something
he had not foreseen-that name
would he required; and he had none.
A pearl worth thousands. but no name
he would gladly have given the one
for the other.
"What name?" repeated the banker.
looking over his glasses out through
the window.
"Pearl-hunter the other STAN.
mered.
Pearlhunter-what."
"Just-Pearlhunter-
"Pearlhunter! Why. that's no
name"
'It's-it's all I have"
Pearlhunter-well-w
The banker hnd his mouth already
set to say something more-but he
didn't. Instead. he took a better look
at the tall young fellow on the other
side of the window. Dipping his pen
into the ink well second time. nj
though II was already overloaded to
the dripping point, he went on filling
out the receipt
"Just bring this with YOU when you
wnnt your pearl, Mr.-Pearlhunter."
"And II I lose itf''
''Then-well-just bring your face.
Yes. that will do-your face. reck-
on you won't lose IT,"
The old fellow chuckied rs II he
had surprised himself making n Joke.
II usually puts n man In n good hu.
NOR to discover that he hns made n
Joke. The banker stood rubbing his
bony hands together while the Pearl
hunter walked out.
What nextf The Pearlhunter
stood on the sidewalk outside OF the
bank door and debated thnt very
question: n question In two parts:
arst, whether 10 go back 10 fniien
Rock: second, whether to make an.
other try after The Boss. lie finally
decided In favor OF the Boss. The
thought drew his eyes toward the
Mud Hen ncross the street. The Man.
-Fnncy-vcst was standing Just
inside the door.
At the moment, young woman
with n basket on her arm came out OF
grocery block up the street and
walked rapidly toward the saloon
The man just Inside the door appar.
emily was watching for her. She
seemed to know that he would be
thereto dread that he would be-to
Judge by the way she hurried pnst.
The man stepped ont on the sidewalk
ns the Glrl cnme opposite. md tried
to stop her. lie even stepped In
front OF her She turned out around
him and. with bare word or two In
response TO his efforts to engage her
n talk. hurried rapidly on.
He stood looking nftcr her TIL she
WAS block or more down the street
-rond would be the better word.
since the river rond formed the one
street OF the vilingc-and then delIb.
ernteiy followed.
All thoughts Of the cabin nt Fallen
Rock. OF the Boss sprnwled over n
table ut the Mud Hen. instantly fed
the mind OF the Rarlhunter. His
somewhat passive face livened; into
his slow eyes cnme n quickcned Inter.
est. lie hardly knew why he followed.
He simply found himself walking nj.
ter them.
The river road. a. II follows along
under the brow Of the cliffs below
Buckeye. mikes mnny turns. The
girl md her pursuer were walking
fast when the pearlhuntcr pcepcd out
around turn and looked after them.
ny mining nt such times M the wind.
ioxs Of the rosl hid him. he had