The state herald., 1921-04-01
CHAPTER TX.
Once to Every Man.


Once to Every Man.
For some distance down the branch
the Pearlhunter followed the night
prowler. Within sound OF the water
fall he followed him. and then turned
back toward the cabin of the three
gables. He had come into the path
and was passing the pool when the
light went out In the windows. He
was sorry for that. He had hoped TO
have speech with the girl. Tomorrow
would he too late Tomorrow the law
would he on his trnil-and pair Of
eyes more terrible than the law.
Leaving the path. he stepped out
upon the fiat rock that jutted from
the bank into the pool. Once he
glanced at the cabin: then sprang to
the bank and went on up the path.
1t was far the hardest thing he had
ever tried to do in his life to go round
TO that east window. 1t was partly
open. His breast was pounding: his
ears humming. He forced himself up
to the window and brought his lips
close to the sash.
"Wild Rose!'
He heard her start. and spring up
I'm bed. Then all was breathless still.
"Wild Rosc!"
The bed creaked. lie heard her
soft feet moving about over the floor.
A mufied shadow came toward the
window--a shadow and whisper:
"psaT.hunter!"
He reached his hand inside. 4 white
arm and slender fingers came ont OF
the gloom and found his palm. The
shadow on the outside and the shadow
on the inside drew closer, the one
searching what that word would he.
The man swallowed hard. ~ sold
day-fve thousand dollars"
He icit thrill In the girls fingers.
",rhis afternoon Louie Solomon was
murdered. and the pearl stolen"
She shuddered. took her hand out Of
his and fumbled the loose garment
about her shoulders. but made no an
swer. Her mind was unconsciously
prepared for terrible things.
"They accused me OF the crime!"
The girl gasped. Her hands fut-
tered toward her throat.
"Youl"
Me" he answered. strnIned md
slow. "l've come to tell you. myself.
Observation-Disclosures trusted me.
The mob had the rope around my
throat. But the sheriff got me AWAY.
and put me In JAN. broke out, and
came TO tell you. couldn't benr for
you to think"
She stood perfectly still inside the
window. He mistook her silence. lie
laid his hand on the window ledge and
tried to drive his eyes through the
gloom TO her face.
please believe met he pleaded. He
couldn't have pleaded harder had he
fnced Judge and jury. instead OF mere
iy n ragged girl Of tho Fintwoods. ~
didn't kill Louie Solomon. ] didn't
take the Blue Moon"
The white arms reached out toward
him.
"Nol MOI ! do believe you!"
Her fncc had come close 10 the win
dow. lie could see her cycs-iikc star
spots In the dnrk-blg with stnrtle-
mcnt. for they Ind caught sight Of his
,attered blouse: tho dried blood on
him. md cloticd In his hnlr. With
cry. her hands went TO his fnce.
"why. your hcnd II blcedingl And
your facet
Scratches! Nothing but scrntchcs'"
he hastily rcnssurcd In tones TINT emu.
'ion held low; pnlned Mt her distress.
pleased. too: his eyes nllght.
"But this ono on your head IT'S
cut-dccp-nnd stIll bleeding" Her
voice was stcndler. "you must let me
bind up this one"
He rlhnccd toward Fallen Rock.
ave dn'sn't risk light" he an'1
"ror your snkc we dn'sn't. The night
has eyes. And thcy1l comb these
woods tomorrow"
She shrnnh back into the room. lie
drew half step nearer. laid his arm
on the ledge and stood fumbllng the
easement. lost In thought
"And yet I'VE Tint 10 do That must
have light" he mused. more 10 him
self ihnn 10 her, rnislng his hcnh nfiet