The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-04-11

what / am thinking OF you, MIR. holt
how full our hearts are of the graft
tude-" She stopped, tears in her
voice.
"Sho! No need Of that, miss. He
dragged me along" His thumb jerked
toward the man who was driving. 1--WE
seen better dog punchers than Elliot,
but he's got the world beat at routin'
old-tirers out of bed and persuadin'
them to kick in with him and buck a
blizzard. Me, O. course, I'm an old fool
for comm"
The dark eyes of the girl were like
stars in frosty night. "Then you're
the kind of a fool love, Mr.. Holt. I
think it was just fine of you, and I'll
never forget it as long as I live"
Mrs. Olson had cooked too long in
lumber and mining camps not to know
something about bone setting. Under
her direction Gordon made splints and
helped her bandage the broken leg.
Sheba cooked an appetizing breakfast.
The aroma of coffee and the smell of
frying bacon stimulated appetites that
needed no tempting.
Holt, propped up by blankets, ate
with the others. For a good many
years he had taken his luck as it came
with philosophic endurance. Now he
wasted no time in mourning what
could not be helped. He was lucky
/ the ice slide had not hit him in the
head. A broken leg would mend.
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 1t and smil.
ingly protested, her soft hand lying
for the moment on the gnarled one OF
the old miner.
"It doesn't matter about me. W.
have to think of what will be best fol
Mr.. Holt, of how to get him to the
proper care. My comfort can wait"
The plan at last decided upon was
|
Smiths Crossing on sEowshoes, where
he wac to arrange for q relief party t.
come out for the injured man and Mrs
Olson. He vas to return at once with
out waiting for the rsscuers. Mex
morning he and Sheba would star
with Holt's dog team for Kusiak.
Macdonald had taught Sheba how t.
use snowshoes and she had been al
apt pupil. From her suitcase she go
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 FL
hot part of the way.
Gordon thought her movements
miracle of supple lightness. Her line
had the swelling roundness of vita
youth, her eyes were alive with til
eagerness that time dulls in mos
faces. They spoke little as they swep
forward over the white snow waste:
The spell of the great North was owe
her. Its mystery was stirring in he
heart, just as it had been when he
, lips had turned to his ut the sunrise
AS for him, love ran through his vein
like old wine. But he allowed his fee
t ings no expression. For though sh
had come to him of her own accord fc
? that one blessed minute at dawn, h
: could not be sure what had moved he
so deeply. She was treading worl
r primeval, the wonder of it still in he
Y soft eyes. Would she waken to loy
4 or to disillusion?
: He took care to see that she dl
r not tire. Presently he stopped an
d held out his hand to say good-by.
: "Will you come back this way?" ST
e asked.
''fes. 1 ought to get here soon aft
e dark. Will you meet met"
f She gave him quick. shy little no
turned without shaking hands, ar
struck out for the cabin. All throus
r. the day happiness flooded her heal
: While she waited on Holt or helpt
d Mrs. Olson cook or watched ,Swiftw
s ter while he put up the tent in the h
r of the cacin, little snatches of sol
l. dubbed from her lips. Sometim
l. they were bits Of old Irish ballads tn
a popped into her mind. Once, viii
she was preparing some coffee for h
e patient, it was q stanza from Burn
TIL a the seas gang dry, my dear,
IL And the rocks melt WI the sun:
I will love thee still. my dear.
G. While the sands O. life shall run.
le She caught old Gideon looking
l her with a queer little smile on
weather-tanned face and she felt t
color beat into her cheeks.
Is IT haven't bought wedding prese
A for twenty years." he told her pr
lg emily, apropos Of nothing that h
been said. II won't know what's t
III proper thing to get, Miss Sheba."
eff you talk nonsense like. that
u. 20 out and talk to Mr.. Swiftwat
u Pete" she threatened, blushng.
% Old Gid folded his hands meek
"I'll be good-honest will. Let's S
got to make safe and sane conver'
a. ton, have 1? Him! Wonder when tt
- lazy, long-legged, good-for-nothi
N horsethief and holdup that calls hi
ne self Gordon Elliot will get back
- camp"
- Sheba looked into his twinkling e!
~ suspiciously as she handed him
- coffee. For moment she bit her
= to keep back a smile, then said W
~ mock severity:
Now, l am going to leave you
ID Mrs. Olson"
no When sunset came 1t found Sht