Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1918-03-07
MACLEOD RAINE

William Macleod Raine
town was 1nstep deep. Many OF the
passengers hurried ashore to make the
most of the f1ve-hour stop. Elliot put
on a pair of heavy boots and started
uptown.
At the end Of the wharf he passed
Miss O'Neill. She wore no rubbers and
she had come to a halt at the begin
ming of the mud. After a momentary
indeclsion she returned slowly to the
boat.
The young man walked up into the
town, but ten minutes later he crossed
the gangplank of the Hannah again
with a package under his arm. Miss
O'Neill was sitting on the forward
deck, making a pretense to herself
of reading.
He moved over to where she sat and
lifted his hat. 81 hope you won't
think it a liberty. Miss O'Neil. but
I've brought you some rubbers from a
store uptown. 1 noticed you couldn't
get ashore without them"
The girl was visibly embarrassed.
She was not at all certain of the right
thing to do. Where she had been
brought up young men did not offer
courtesies Of this sort so informally.
IL think won't need them. thank
you. I've decided not to leave the
boat" she answered shyly.
! Elliot had never been accused of be-
Ing gutter. Having begun this, he
proposed to see 1t out. He caught
sight of the purser experimenting the
discharge of cargo and called to him
by name. The officer Joined them. a
pad of paper and a pencil In his hand.
I'm trying to persuade Miss O'Nein
that she ought to go ashore while
we're lying here. What was 1t you told
me about the waterfall back Of the
town."
FINEST thing Of It's kind In Alaska
Everyone takes it In. We won't get
away till night. You've plenty Of time
If you want to see it."
Now, will you please introduce me
to Miss O'Neill formallyT'
The purser went through the usual
formula of presentation, adding that
Elliot was government official on
his way to Kusiak. Having done his
duty by the young man, the busy gu
percargo retired.
I'm sure 1t would do you good to
walk up to the waterfall with me, Miss
O'Neill," urged Elliot.
She met little obviously the smile
that would not stay quite extinguished
on his good-looking, boyish face Why
shouldn't she go with him, since it was
the American way for unchaperoned
youth to enjoy itself naturally
IF they'll IT." the girl answered.
eying the rubbers.
Gordon dropped to his knees and
demonstrated that they would.
AS they walked along the muddy
street she gave him a friendly LITTLE
nod of thanks. Good Of you to take
the trouble to look out for me-"
He laughed. 1T was myself I was
looking out for. 1 am a stranger In
the country and was awfully lone
some"
rs 1t that this is your FIRST time
In, too?" she asked shyly.
You're going to Kusiak. aren't
your Do you know anybody there r.
replied Elliot.
My cousin lives there, but I haven't
seen her since I was ten. She's an
American Eleven years ago she Wis
tied us In Ireland" =,
I'm glad you know someone he
said. You'll not be. 70 lonesome with
some OF your people living there"
Are you going to live at Kusiak r
NO; I'll be stationed In the terri |
tory for several months. I'll be In and
out OF the town a good deal. 1 hope
you.H let me see something of you"
Inc line Irish coloring deepened in
ner cheeks. He had a wav of TAKING
III MS stride the barriers between
them, but 1t was impossible for her
TO Feel offended at this CHEEKY, vi9or-
Gus young fellow with the winning
smile and the firm-set jaw. She liked
the warmth in his honest brown ewes.
She liked the play of muscular grace
beneath his well-fttfng clothes. Sheba
old not know, as her resilient muscle.
carried her forward joyfully. that she
was answering the call of youth tn
youth. " :"
Gordon respected her shyness and
moved warily to establish his con-
'ac'- ne let the talk drift to imper-
sonar topics as they picked their way
trail. '.o'"y
Iney were ascending steadily now
aiong pathway almost too indistinct
20 follow. The air was aromatic with
pine from grove that came struggling
Town the side Of a gulch to the brook
10 you know, have a queer feel
ing tnat I've seen all this before" the
lrish girl said. "Of course haven't
unless 1t was In my dreams. Natu-
raiiy I've thought about Alaska a great
zeal because my father lived here"
I didn't know that"
Yes He came In with the K,on- !
Ike stampeders." She added quietly {
ater." s"o yosSs
Was he a minerr'
N int int enu !, ne came north He had