Gilpin observer., 1918-06-27
CHAPTER xx.-centlnusd.

-io-
While they ate, the party went into
committee Of the whole to decide what
was best to be done. Gordon noticed
that in all the tentative suggestions
malo By Holt and saltwater the
comfort Of Eheba was the drst thing
In mind.
The girl, too, noticed It and smil-
ingly protested, her soft hand lying
for tho moment on the gnarled ono Of
the old miner.
TT doesn't matter about me. We
have to think Of what will be best for
Mr.. Holt, Of how to get him to the
proper care. Ny comfort can wait"
The plan at last decided upon was
that Gordon should make dash for
Smiths Crossing on snowshoes, where
he was to arrange for relief party to
come out for the injured man and Mrs.
Olson. He was to return at once with
out waiting for the rescuers. Next
morning he and Sheba would start
with Hollis dog team for Kusiak.
Macdonald had taught Sheba how to
use snowshoes and she had been an
out her moccasins and put them on.
She borrowed the snowshoes Of Holt,
wrapped herself in her parka. and an
nounced that she was going with El-
lot part Of the way.
Gordon thought her movements q
miracle Of supple lightness. Her lines
had the swelling roundness Of vital
youth, her eyes were alive with the
eagerness that time dulls in most
forward over the white snow wastes.
The spell of the great North was over
her. Its mystery was stirring in her
heart, just as it had been when her
lips had turned to his at the sunrise.
As for him, love ran through his veins
like old wine. But he allowed his feel
ings no expression. For though she
had come to him Of her own accord for
that one blessed minute at dawn, he
80 deeply. She was treading a world
primevai. the wonder Of 1t still in her
soft eyes. Would she waken to love
or to disillusion7
He took care to see that she did
not tire. Presently he stopped and
held out his hand to say good-by.
"Will you come back this way7" she
asked.
'cYes. ought to get here soon after
dark. VIII you meet me?"
She gave him quick, shy little nod
turned without shaking hands, and
struck out for the cabin. All through
the day happiness flooded her heart
While she waited on Holt or helped
Mrs. Olson cook or watched Swiftwa-
ter while he put up the tent in the lee
Of the cabin, little snatches of song
bubbled from her lips. Sometimes
they were bits Of old Irish ballads that
popped into her mind. Once, while
she was preparing some coffee for her
patient, 1t was stanza from Burns
TIL q. the sea: gang dry. my dear.
And the rocks melt wi the sun:
will love thee still. my dear.
While the sands O. life shall run.
She caught old Gideon looking at
her with a queer little smile on his
weather-tanned face and she felt the
color beat into her cheeks.
II haven't bought a wedding present
for twenty years." he told her pres
emily, apropos Of nothing that had
been said. II won't know what's the
proper thing to get, Miss Sheba."
"If you talk nonsense like that I'll
60 out and talk to Mr.. Swiftwater
Pete" she threatened, blushing.
Old Gid folded his hands meekly.
'rll be good-honest will. Let's see.
got to make safe and sane converse
ton. have II Hml Wonder when that
lazy, long-legged, good-for-nothing
horsethief and holdup that calls him
self Gordon Elliot will get back to
camp"
Sheba looked into his twinkling eyes
suspiciously as she handed him his
coffee. For moment she bit her lip
to keep back a smile, then said with
mock severity:
"Now, / am going to leave you to
Mrs. Olson"
When sunset came It found Sheba
on the trail. saltwater Pete had Of.
fered to 60 with her, but she had been
relieved Of his well-meant kindness by
the demand of Holt.
mo. you don't, Pete. You ain't
a-goin' on gallivantin' with no young
lady. You're a-goin' to stay here and
nx my game leg for me. What do you
reckon Miss Sheba wants with q fat
lop-sided lummox like you along with
herr"
Pete grew purple with embarrass
ment. He had not intended anything
more than civility and he wanted this
understood.
limp! Amt you got no sens,
a-tall. Gidf II Miss Sheba's bent or
goin' to meet Elliot, / allowed some on,
ought to 60 along and keep the darl
often her. Course there ain't nothin
going to harm her. unless she goes ant
gets lost"