Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-02-20
With


when she's the mother of your child,
your wife before GodT Standing there
straight as an aspen, the beautiful
bosom rising and falling quickly while
the storm waves beat through her
blood, Sheba O'Neill had never made
more appeal to the strong, lawless
man who desired her for his wife.
"YOu don't understand" Macdon-
AIDS big fists were clenched so saw
agely that the knucllles stood out
white from the brown tan Of the flesh.
"This is a mans country. It's new
close to nature. What he wants he
takes-if he's strong enough. I'm ele-
mental. +"
"YOu wanted her-and you took her.
Now you want me-and suppose
you'll take me too" Her scornful
words had the sting Of a whiplash,
"I've lived as all men live who have
red blood in them. This woman was
an incident. I've been aboveboard.
She can't say I ever promised more
than I've given. I've kept her and the
boy. It's been no secret. If you had
asked, I would have told you the whole
story"
"DOes that excuse your"
IT don't need any excuse. I'm a
man. That's excuse enough. The one
big fact you want to set your teeth into
now is that love you, that there isn't
another woman on Gods earth for me,
and that there never will be again."
Her eyes flashed battle. "The one
big fact I'm facing is that you have
insulted me-that you insult me again
when you mention love with that wom-
an and boy In the room. You belong
to them-go to them-and leave me
alone. hate the sight Of you. Why
don't you go-all Of you-and leave
me in peaceW
1t was a cry of bruised pride and
wounded love. Elliot touched the In
dian woman on the shoulder. Meteetse
turned stolidly and walked out Of the
room, still leading Coimac by the hand.
The young man followed.
Macdonald closed the door behind
them, then strobe frowning up and
down the room. The fear was grow
ing on him that for all his great driv-
ing power he could not shake this
slim girl from the view to which she
chung. His relation with Meteetse
had been natural enough. He believed
that he had acted very honorably to
her. Many q man would have left
her in the lurch to take care Of the
youngster by herself. But he had &C
knowledged his obligation. He was
paying his debt scrupulously, and be-
cause Of it the story had risen to con-
front him. He felt that it was an un-
lust blow Of fate.
He knew that he must justify him
self before Sheba or lose her. As he
stood in the dusk so tall and rigid, he
knew her heart was steel to him. Her
finely chiseled face had the look Of
race. Never had the spell Of her been
more upon him. He crushed back q
keen-edged desire to take her supple
young body into his arms and kiss her
till the scarlet ran into her cheeks
like splashes Of wine.
"You haven't the proper slant on
this, Sheba. Alaska is the last from.
tier. It's the dropping-off place.
You're north Of tifty-three." ..
"Am I north of the Ten Command
ments?" she demanded with the mex
orable judgment of youth. did you
leave the moral code at home when
you came In over the ice?'' ..
He smiled little. Morality is the
average conduct of the average man
at given time and place. It Is based
on custom and expediency. The rules
made for Drogheda won't At Dawson
or Nome. Meteetse does not hold her
self disgraced but honored. She counts
her boy far superior to the other
youngsters Of the village, and he 10
so considered by the tribe. I am told
she lords it over her sisters"
A faint flush Of anger crept into her
cheeks. "YOur view Of morality puts
US on q level with the animals. I Will
not discuss the subject, II you please"
eve must discuss it. must get you
to see that Meteetse and what she
stood for in my life have nothing to
do with us. They belong to my past
She doesn't exist for either of us
isn't in any way part Of my present
or future
"She exists for me-" answered Sheba
listlessly. She felt suddenly old and
weary. "But I can't talk about It,
Please so. I want to be alone.".
Again Macdonald paced restlessly
down the room and back. The man
was one among ten thousand, domi.
nant, virile, every ounce Of him strong
as tested steel. But he felt as if all
his energy were Gagged.
"Why don't you go?' the girl plead
ed. ITS no use to stay"
He stopped in front Of her. I'm
going to marry you, Sheba. You're
mine."
mo. Never" she cried. "Ill take
the boat and 60 home first"
you've promised to marry me.
You're going to keep your word and
be glad of 1t all your life"
She shook her head. mo"
"Yes." Macdonald had always
shown remarkable restraint with her.
He had kissed her seldom, and always
with kind Of awe at her young pur-
ity. Now he caught her by the shoul.
ders.
The color famed into her face. She
looked hot to the touch, an active