The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-01-29
THE BLUE NOUN
TALE OF THE FLATWOOD9
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES


-, haven't. the pleasure OF your ac-
ora;ntance." he said with the stately
,,nIireress of a day long gone. May
] ask
.I'nl-I'm-"
ia besi,ated. flushed. The girl.
calm again. came 10 the rescue.
..ua's the Pearlhunter, Daddy. He's
h,o,,-,sood 10 me-since you've been
sick"
The old man reached out his hand
:, seemed heavy for him. The Pearl
hunter grasped ii. He was Startied 10
find il cold. He glanced hastily into
rho OLD mans face. A pai'or was
e,,voodirp over il that was unIuiStak-
abIe-the momentary return 10 con
Sciousness was but the CLEAN that, at
the q, d of a gray day. sometimes tlares
ont hatwepn sundown and dark. He
said nothing of ii to the girl who was
bappiiy busy again with the water and
bandageS.
The sheriff had left the couch and
was squatted over the body OF the
fallen bandit. The PearihunIer hap
pen4d TO glance that way. The sheriff
beckoned 10 him.
This Teller amt dead yet, he said
when the PearIhunter had joined him.
The young man stopped "Eer Inc
sprawled robber. He WAS still breath
ing.
He don't deserve lit" the sheriff
went on, but it's only common de-
cency TO get him up.
He put his arm under the man AMI
raised him. while the Pearlhun,er
brought damp cloth from the basin
by the couch. and wiped his face. The
touch of the cold cloth rallied him.
"V.rer." he mumbed, HUSKY and
strained.
The girl had turned and was looking
on. She ran to the Kitchen and brought
cupful. The Iearlhuntei held IL 10
the mans lips. He couldn't swallow.
but the touch of the water scented 10
revive him. He opened his eyes and
stared. like man trying TO make out
objects in a very dim light. His eyes
caught the glitter of the sheriffs star.
frowned. raised. found the Pearihunter
and strained hard al him.
And IL was a cusSed Warbrittcn
that got ME al last -
who speaks the name of Warbrit-
tony" came q hoarse voice from the
couch.
The diving bandit started. rolled his
eyes toward the sound.
what WAS that! That voice."
The Pearlhnnter caught the foot OF
| the couch and novel il around so The
| Two fast sinking men could see each
| other. No sooner had the gray giant
on the couch caught glimpse of the
| man on the floor than. with great
| cry. he tried TO rise. His utmost
strength only served TO bring him part
| ~ up on an eibnw-and that only with
the Pearlhunter's aid.
| Martin Redmond" he cried-and
| almOnst Instantly: "Where is shes
| The woman you distained? And The
boy? Tell me. I've still the strength
to tear il out Of your cursed throat J
| The dying rohber 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.
| 'Warbrifton-!" He mutfered the
| name huskily. the bloody froth upon
/ his lips. she was not diStaiued. II
WAS All q mistake. ! let you think II
because | hated you-hecause loved
| her--because she loved you and not
! me. Twenty years she's ruved 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
il sagged down upon the floor, carried
il at great labor to his bosom. fumbled
under the fdncy vest. drew forth q
picture and laid il against his lips.
The Pearlhunter snatched il away. The
action brought the picture near the oio
man. He seized it. held it an instant
before his eyes. and with deep groan
laid il against his bosom.
And the boy?" he cried to the man
on the floor. The boy?"
ITO BE CONTiNUED)