The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1921-03-11
NJ DAVID ANDERSON



corners of his eyes. ''rd have the
woods to myself II tried"
She looked at him. The tiniest sug-
gestiOn of a fr0wn seemed to be trying
to find place OH her face.
II know what am saying when ]
say that. You could sing. Your voice
is soft and low and strong-like Dad
dy's. l didn't notice 1t till a little bit
ago. but think l felt 1t all along. I
guess that's why l 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. 1t was an old ribbon.
old and worn. He studied her dress.
1t had been many a day since II was
new. He recalled the old mans coat
and his shoes. They were as old as
hers. He glanced around the cabin /;
stole a 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 Rosei'
Her eyes jumped to his. She let him
see how much the name pleased her.
You've just said mighty big thing
to me. You've said you trust me.
That's a big thing for a girl to say to
man. The Almighty alone knows
whether I'll do to trust. Now, don't
think hard nf what I'm about to say.
And l wish ! knew some nice way to
say 1t. But don't know any way only
just to say 1t. Don't you need help
money, meanT
A succession of emotions fitted
across the girls face--pieasure at the
name; bewilderment as he talked on
and at the last, a smile. The man
watched the smile. 1t was a brave
smile, but 1t had to retreat, beaten
back by stronger foe. Her lips drew
together; her chin quivered; she
bowed her head and buried her face
In her arms.
What had he done! Had she mis-
understood him. The Pearlhunter
inwardly cursed his clumsiness. He
found his hard hand stealing toward
her hair. How helpless she was-and
he had hurt her. His fingers strayed
over the soft locks and smOothed them.
1t seemed long time to the Pearl
hunter before she raised her face. He
| half dreaded to see her eyes; but-a
| desperate glance-no reproach 10
them. He had not been misunder-
| stood.
| II don't know how l am to 60 on"
Her throat and neck and face famed
| crimson at the admission. Il can't
leave to 20 out to service; and all the
| furniture that can be spared l have
sold"
"Only your own" he blurted out.
rather imprudeDtly. as he reflected aft
erward. for how was she to know that
| he had glanced into her room7
II didn't wish Daddy to miss any
thing"
The unselfshness Of her act seemed
| not to have entered her mind, but II
| was not lost on the Pearihunter.
| '''rhe storekeeper has been 80 good
10 me. and trusted me for 10 many
! things. I'm afraid to think tcw auch
/ i owe MN Isut ~ bfl- 1ir wiz
has been ILL., II mortifies me 10 have
to ask him for more credit. but I can't
let Daddy starve. Money used 10 come
to MS before he got-hurt. But /
/ found out afterward that 1t always
came addressed simply to Box %. Not
even the postmaster knows Dbddy's
name. Neither-do-f"
Her voice fell very low. The Pearl
hunter pitied her. for he knew what
name"
"rhe doctor says" she went On,
that the baiief broke piece nf skull,
80 that 1t presses On the brain. He
thinks great surgeon he knows might
he able to raise that little piece oi
skull and made Daddy well. And that's
what hurts me worst Of sil-ihat
can't have IL done"
She stopped turned her head away
There came into she rnnn'E level eyes
q look that the hard Dien Of HE riesi
had learned 10 know
Listen = he said "Yon ~ trust
nae. You musi let me help you, Yet
] already knew the story of th1 i.Ins
4 Moon. such nnd always brings The
| pearl buyers. They Hook to " llkt
Yultures 10 carcass rheylI @ls,f
: be here maSbe tomorrow ri seil tl.s
h pearl. ana You shaii seuG Tor that any
! geon"
\ Like one waking from dream II
\ iind ths dream come true she turnet
: slowly aud raised her face to his III,
tuli significance Of his offer, the bi,
generosity of II, The Immense fact o
1t, escaped her In the first moment.
Only mere deiali Of Il reached her,
Nv we--couidnt ever pAy you back.
Ii ~as ON his tongue 70 eny he dldn
expect 10 hs paid back that hc dldn
= ~nnt 10 be paid back. but a glance =
" her somehow made such an answer in
4 possible. The book case gave HIN o
= Inspiration.
~ { D..