The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1918-10-03
CHAPTER xxi--continued,

70
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
made by Holt and saltwater the
comfort Of Sheba was the first thing
In mind.
The girl, too, noticed II and smli-
,ngly protested, her soft hand lying
for the moment on the gnarlcd one OF
the old miner.
ut 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 a dash for
Smiths Crossing on snowshoes, where
he was to arrange for n relief party to
come out for the injured man and Mrs.
Olson. He was to return at once with.
out waiting for the rescucrs Next
morning he and Shyba would start
with Hollis dog team for Kusiak.
Macdonald had taught Shcba how to
use s%nowshoes and she had been nm
apt pupil. From her suitcase she got
out her moccasins md put them on.
She borrowed the snowshoes Of Holt,
wrapped herself in her parka. and an.
nounced that she was going with Ell
iiot part Of the way.
Gordon thought her movements n
miracle OF supple lightness. Her lines
nad the swelling roundness Of vital
youth. her eyes were alive with the
eagerness that time dulls In most
faces. They spoke little us they swept
forward over the white snow wastes.
The spell OF the great North was v
her. Its mystery was stirring In her
heart, Just as II Ind 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 n blessed minute Mt dawn. he
could not be sure what had moved her
40 deeply. She was treadlng n world
primeynl. tho wonder OF It still In her
soft eyes. Would she wnken to love
or to %dlsillusion1
He took care 70 see that she did
not tire. Presently he stopped and
held out his hand to say good.by.
"W!ll you come back this way7" she
asked.
"Ycs. I ought to get here soon after
dark. viii you meet mel"
She gave him n 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 Swiftwn.
ter while he put up the tent In the lee
OF the cabin, little snntches OF song
dubbed from her lips. Sometimes
they were bits Of old Irish ballads tina,
popped into her mind. Once. while
abe was preparing some coffee for her
patient. II was q stanza from Burns
TIL a. the seas gang dry, my dear.
And the rocks melt WI the sun;
will love thee stiil. my dear.
while the sands o life shall run
She caught old Gideon looking a,
her with n queer little smile on his
weather-tanned face and she felt the
color beat into her cheeks.
II haven't bought n 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."
III you talk nonsense like that III
go out and talk to Mr.. SwiftwateI
Pete" she threatened. blushing.
Old Gid folded his hands meekl,v
"Tll be good-honest I will. Let's see
I got to make safe md sane conversa'
ton, have II Hin! Wonder when tina,
lazy, ,lo~ng-legged. good.for.nOthinl
horsethief and holdup that calls him
self Gordon Elliot will get back Il
camp"
Sheba looked into his twinkling eyes
suspiciously as she handed him hi
coffee. For a moment she bit her liz
20 keep back a smile. then said with
mock severity:
"Now, I am going to leave you &c
Mrs. Olson"
When sunset came II found Shebs
on the trail. saltwater Pete had Of
fered to 60 with her, but she had beer
relieved OF his well-meant kindness By
the demand Of Holt.
mo. you don't, Pete. You aim
a.goin' OF gallivantin' with no youni
lady. You're a-goln' TO stay here ant
hx my game leg for me. What do yor
reckon Miss Sheba wants with q fat
iop.sided lummox like you along with
herr"
Pete grew purple with embarrass
ment. He had not intended anything
more than civility and he wanted thi'
understood.
limp! Amt you got no sens,
e-tall. Gidf II Miss Shebn's bent OF
goin' to meet Elliot, I allowed some ont
ought to go along and keep the dnri
often her. Course there amt nothln
> going to harm her, unless she goes ant
gets lost"
Shebn's smile cooled the heat Of thu
stage driver. (which she isn't goini
to do. Good Of you to offer to go will
me. Don't mind Mr.. Holt. Everybod!
Knows he doesn't mean hnlf OF wha
he says. I'd be glad to have you COM
with me, hut II isn't necessary at all
So I'll not trouble you"