The Adair County news., 1918-04-10

aook in the slender, weary figure lean
ing against the sled. On soft and
xnushy trail like this, where every
fOotstep punched a hole in the loose
snow, the dogs could not traved with
any extra weight. A few miles farther
down they would come to a main-trav-
seled road and the going would be bet
ter. But till then she must walk. Mac
donald gave way with gesture of his
hand and turned on his heel.
At the campfire Sheba dried her
mukluks, stockings, caribou mitts and
short skirts. Too tired to eat, she
forced herself to swallow a few bites
and drank eagerly some tea. Gordon
had brought blankets from the sled
and he persuaded her to lie down for
a few minutes.
you'll call me soon if 1 should
Sleep" she said drowsily, and her eyes
were closed almost before the words
we're off her lips.
When Macdonald came to order the
start half an hour later, she was still
asleep. "Give her another thirty min
utes," he said gruffiy.
Youth is resilient. Sheba awoke
rested and ready for work.
While Gordon was untangling the
dogs she was left alone for a minute
with the mine-owner.
The hungry look in his eyes touched
her. Impulsively she held out her
hand.
you're going to be fair, aren't you,
Mr.. Macdonald? Because you-don't
like him-you won't-T
He looked straight into the dark.
appealing eyes. "Pm going to be fair
10 Robert Milton" he told her harsh
Hy. I'm going to see his murderers
hanged if it costs me every dollar
have in the world"
"None of US objects to justice" she
told him proudly. Gordon has moth
ing to fear if only the truth is told"
"Then why come to me-" he de-
!manded.
She hesitated; then with a wistful
little smile, spoke what was in her
heart. SIN afraid you won't do JUS
tice TO yourself. You're good-and
gbrave-and strong. But you're very
wi,lful and set. l don't want to lose
my friend. l want to know that he is
all have believed him-a great man
who stands for the things that are fine
and clean and just"
"Then it is for my sake and not for
his that you want me to drop the case
against Elliott" he asked ironically.
''For yours and for his, too. You
can't hurt him. Nobody can really be
hurt from outside-not unless he is a
traitor 80 himself. And Gordon Elliot
isn't fiat. He couldn't do such a
thing as this with which you charge
him. II is not in his nature. He can
explain everything"
81 don't doubt that. He and his
friend iOlt are great little explainers."
In spite of his bitterness Sheba felt
A charge in him. She seemed to
have a glimpse of his turbid soul en-
gagged n battle. He turned away with
out shaking hands, but it struck her
that hr was not implacable.
While they were at luncheon half a
dozen packmules laden with supplies
for telephone construction line out
fit had passed. Their small, sharp-shod
trail at every step. Instead of
smooth bottom the dogs found q
slushy bog cut to pieces.
At the end of an hour of wallowing
MacdOIlld called a halt.
"There is a cutoff just below here.
If will ne ri fxr-n brr+
we'll have to break trail. Swing to the
right Just below the big willow" he
told Elliot. 'TIl join you presently
and relieve you on the job. But first
Miss O'Neill and 1 are going for a lit
tie side trip"
All three of them looked at him in
sharp surprise. Gordon opened his
lips to answer and closed them again
without speaking. Sheba had flashed
a warning to him.
81 hope this trip isn't very far off
the GRAIL" she said quietly. "Pm just
a wee bit tired"
ats not far" the mine-owner said
CURLY.
he was busy unpacking his sled.
1TcSeully ne lOuuu Tic Jug uOCCdSluS
for which he had been looking, re-
packed his sled, and fitted the shoes
to the bleeding feet of the team lead
er. Elliot, suspicious and uncertain
what to do, watched him at work, but
at a signal from Sheba turned re-
luctantly away and drove down to the
cutoff.
Macdonald turned his dogs out of the
trail and followed a little ridge for
perhaps q quarter Of a mile. Sheba
trudged behind him. She was full of
wonder at what he meant to do, but
she asked no questions. Some wise in
.stinct was telling her to do exactly as
he said.
From the sled he took a shovel and
gave it to the young woman. "Dig just
this side of the big rock-close to the
root Of the tree" he told her.
Sheba dug. and at the second stroke
of the spade struck something hard
He stopped and pulled out o sack.