Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-05-17


three.
When Elliot took the dOwn-river
boat he found Oliver Dustin was q fell
low passenger. The little man smoked
an occasional cigar with the land agent
and aired his views on politics and af-
fairs social. He left the boat at the
big bend.
Not till week later did Elliot re-
turn up the river. He was asleep at
the time the Sarah passed the big
bend, but next morning he discovered
that Selfridge and Dustin had come
aboard during the night. In the after
noon he came upon real surprise
when he found Meteetse and her little
boy Colmac seated upon n box on the
lower deck where freight for local
points was stored.
His guess was that they were local
passengers, but wharf after wharf
slipped behind them and the two still
remained on board. They appeared
to know nobody else on the Sarah,
though once Gordon met Dustin just as
he was hurrying away from the Indian
woman.
Meteetse transferred with the other
Kusiak passengers at the river juno
ton. The field agent was not the only
one on board who wondered where
she was going. Selfridge was con-
sumed with curiosity, and when she
and the boy got off at Kusiak. he could
restrain himself no longer. Gordon
saw Wally talking with her. Meteetse
showed him an envelope which evil
IDENTIFY had an address written upon It,
for the little man pointed out to her
the direction in which she must go.
Since leaving Kusiak nearly two
weeks before, no word had reached
Gordon Of Sheba. AS soon as he had
finished dinner at the hotel, he walked
out to the Paget house and sent in
his card.
Sheba came into the hall to meet
him from the living room where she
had been sitting with the man she ex-
pected to marry next week. She gave
a little murmur of pleasure at sight Of
him and held out both hands.
81 was afraid you weren't going to
get back in time. I'm so glad" she
told him warmly.
He managed to achieve smile.
"When is the great day?"
"Next Thursday. OF course we're
as busy as can be. but Diane says"
A ring at the door interrupted her.
Sheba stepped forward and let in an
Indian woman with little boy cling
ing to her hand.
"You Miss O'Neill?" she asked.
"Yes."
From the folds of her shawl she
drew a letter. The girl glanced at the
address. then opened and read what
was written. She looked up, puzzled.
first mt the comedy, flat-footed Indian
woman and afterward at the handsome
little brown-faced papOOse. She turned
| to Gordon.
This letter says l am to ask this
woman who is the father Of her boy.
| What does it mean"
Gordon knew instantly what II
meant, though he could not guess who
had dealt the blow. The impulse to
spare her pain was stronger in him
than the desire that she should know
the truth.
"Send her away" he urged. Don't
ask any questions. She has been sent
to hurt you"
A fawnlike fear flashed into the star.
tied eyes. ITO hurt me-"
81 am afraid So"
"But-why? l have done nobody
any harm" She seemed to hold even
her breathing in suspense.
perhaps some Of Macdonalds enc
miles," he suggested.
And ut that there came star-flash
into the soft eyes and lifted tilt OF
the chin cut fine as a cameo. She
turned proudly to the Indian woman
"What is 1t that you have to tell me
about this boys fatherT
Meteetse began to speak. At the
first mention Of Macdonalds name
Sheba's eyes dilated. Her smile. hel
sweet. glad pleasure at Gordon's arri
val. were already gone like the flame
Of a blown candle. Clearly her heart
was a-flutter, In fear of she knew not
what. When the Indian woman told
how she had first crossed the path OF
Macdonald, the color famed into the
cheeks of the Irish girl, but as the
story progressed. the blood ebbet
even from her lips.
With a swift movement of her fin
gers she flashed on the hall light. Hell
gaze searched the brown, shiny face OF
the little chap. She read there an af
fidavit of the truth of his mothers
tale. 1t was impossible to see hin
and not recognize Colby Macdonald re
incarnated.
"What is your manner" asked Sheba
suddenly.
The yOungster hung back shyly
among the folds of the Indian woman's
skirt "Colmac." he said at last softly
Come" Sheba flung open the door
Of the living room and ushered then
In.
Macdonald, pacing restleSsly up and
down the room during her absence
pulled up in his stride. He stood frown
ing Mt the native woman. then his eyes
passed TO Elliot and fastened upor
him. The face of the Scotsman was
grim rs that of hanging judge.
Gordon started 10 explain, Their
stopped with Il Shrug. What was the
use? The man would never believ.
him in the world.