The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-02
CHAPTER xxI-continued.

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 it and smil-
ingly protested, her soft hand lying
for the moment on the gnarled one of
the old miner.
st 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. My comfort can wait"
The plan at last decided upon was
that Gordon should make a dash for
Smiths Crossing on snOwshOes, where
ne was to arrange for a 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
apt pupil. From her suitcase she got
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
lot part of the way.
Gordon thought her movements a
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
faces. They spoke little as they swept
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
fngS no expression. For though she
had come to him of her own accord for
that one blessed minute at dawn, he
could not be sure what had moved her
so deeply. She was treading world
primeval, the wonder of it still in her
soft eyes Would she waken to love
or to disi1lusion?
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 way?" she
asked.
les. ought 10 get mere soon dICeF
dark. Will 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
dubbed 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, it was stanza from Burns
Till a the seas gang dry. my dear.
And the rocks melt WIZ the sun:
I will love thee still. my dear.
While the sands O. life shall
She caught old Gideon looking al
ner with a queer little smile on his
weather-tanned face and she felt the
color beat into her cheeks.
81 haven't bought wedding present
for twenty years." he told her pres
emily. apropos of nothing that had
been said. 81 won't know what's the
proper thing TO get, Miss Sheba."
eff you talk nonsense like that II
20 OUT anu tdih 10 MT. SW1IIWdIol
Pete" she threatened. blushing.
Old Gid folded his hands meekly
''Tll be goOd-honest l will. Let's see
I got to make safe and sane converse
ton, have I? HIM. Wonder when thai
lazy, long-legged. good-for-nothfn:
horsethief and holdup that calls him
self Gordon Elliot will get back t.
camp"
Sheba looked into his twinkIing eye
suspiciously as she handed him hi
coffee. For moment she bit her lii
to keep back smile, then said witt
mock severity:
Nov, I am going to leave you t,
Mrs. Olson
When sunset came it found Sheb;
on the trail. saltwater Pete had of
fered to go with her, but she had beer
relieved of his weIl-meant kindness b
the demand of Holt.
mo, you don't, Pete You ain
a-goin' of gallivantin' with no youn
lady. You're a-gOin' to stay here an
fix my game leg for me. What do yo
reckon Miss Sheba wants with a fat
lop-sided lummOx like you along wit
her2"
Pete grew purple with embarrass
ment. He had not intended anythin
more than civility and he wanted thi
understood
limp. Amt you got no sens
a-tall, Gid? If Miss Sheba's bent o
goin' to meet Elliot, allowed some on
ought. to go along and keep the dar
often her. Course there amt nothil
going to harm her, unless she goes an
gets lost"
Sheba's smile cooled the heat of til
stage driver. (Which she isn't goin
to do. Good of you to offer to go wit
me. Don't mind Mr.. Holt. Everybod
knows he doesn't mean half of VIII;
he says. I'd be glad to have you CON
with me. but it isn't necessary at al
So I'll not trouble YOU
Darkness fell quickly, but Sheba SIT
held to the trail. There was no sis
of Elliot. but she felt sure he wou
come soon: Meanwhile she follows
steadily the tracks he had made ca
lier in the day.
She stopped at last. It was gettiI
much colder. She was miles from Il