Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-04-03

The general opinion was that Mac
was playing politics about the trial OF
his rival. He would not let the case
come to jury until the time when a
conviction would have most effect in
the States, the gossips predicted. They
did not know that he was waiting for
the return of Wally Selfridge. The
whispers touched closely the personal
affairs of Macdonald. The report OF
his engagement to Sheba O'Neill had
been denied, but it was noticed that
he was constant guest at the home
of the Pagets. Young Elliot called
there too. Almost any day one or other
of the two men could be seen with
Sheba on the street. Those who want
ed to take sporting chance on the
issue knew that odds were offered sub
rosa at the Pay Streak saloon Of three
to one on Mac.
Sheba rebelled impotently at the
situation. The mine-owner would not
take 'No' for an answer. He wooed
her with steady, dominant persist
ence that shook even her strong
will. There was something resistless
in the way he took her for granted.
Gordon Elliot had not mentioned love
to her, though there were times when
her heart fluttered for fear he would.
She did not want any more complica-
lions. She wanted to be let alone. So
when an invitation came from her
little friends the Husteds, signed by all
three of the children, asking her to
come and visit them at the camp back
Of Katma, the Irish girl jumped at the
chance to escape for time from the
decision being forced upon her.
Sheba pledged her cousin to secrecy
until after she had gone, so that Miss
O'Neill was able to slip away on the
stage unnoticed either by Macdonald
or Elliot. The only other passenger
was an elderly woman going up to
the Katma camp to take place as
cook.
Later on the same day Wally Sell
fridge, coming in over the. ice, reached
Kusiak with important news for his
chief. He brought with him an order
from Winton, commissioner of the gen.
eral land office, suspendlng Elliot pend
ing an investigation of the charges
against him.
Oddly enough, it was to Genevieve
Mallory that Macdonald went for con-
sola ton when he learned that Sheba
had left town. He had always found
1t very pleasant to drop In for chat
with her, and she saw to it that he
met the same friendly welcome now
that a rival had annexed his scalp to
her slender waist. For Mrs. Mallory
did not concede defeat. If the Irish
girl could be eliminated, she believed
she would yet win.
His hostess looked up at him with q
unlocking little smile.
"Rumor says that she has run away,
my lord. Is it true7"
Eyes. Slipped away on the stage
this morning"
"That'sa good sign. She was afraid
to stay"
It was part of the fiction between
them that Mrs. Mallory was to give
him the benefit Of her advice In his
wooing Of her rival. She seemed to
take It for granted that he would at
last marry Sheba after wearing away
the rigid Puritanism Of her resent
ment.
Macdonald had never liked her so
well as now. Her point Of view was
80 sane, so reasonable. It asked for
no impossible virtues In q man. There
was something restful in her genial,
derisive understanding of him. She
had a silent divination Of his moods
and ministered indolently to them.
'Do you think so? Ought I to fol-
low herr" he asked.
She showed a row Of perfect teeth
In a low ripple of amusement. The sit
uation at least was piquant, even
though it was at her expense.
"No. Give the girl time. Catch her
impulse on the rebound. She'll be
bored to death at Katma and she will
come back docile."
Her scarlet lips, the long, unbroken
lines of the sinuous, opulent body, the
challenge Of the smoldering eyes, the
warmth Of her laughter, all invited him
to forget the charms Of other women.
The faint feminine perfume Of her was
waited to his brain. He felt q besieg-
ing Of the blood.
Stepping behind the chair in which
she sat, he tilted back the head Of lus-
trous bronze, and very deliberately
kissed her on the lips.
For a moment she gave herself to
his embrace, then pushed him back,
rose, and walked across the room to q
little table. With fingers that trembled
slightly she Lit cigarette. Sheathed
in her close-dtting gown, she made
strong carnal appeal to him, but there
was between them, too, a close bond
Of the spirit. He made no apologies,
no explanation.
Presently she turned and looked at
him. Only the deeper color beneath
her eyes betrayed any excitement.
sunless I'm bad prophet you'll get
the answer you want when Sheba
comes back, Colby"
He thought her reply to his indis-
cretion superb. 1t admitted COM
plicity, reproacEed, warned and at the
same time ignored. Never before had