Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1918-06-22
CHAPTER XxI-contlnued.

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.
1T doesn't matter about me. We
have to think of what vii. 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
he was to arrange for 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
hot part of the way.
Gordon thought her movements
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 1t 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
ings 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
primeyal, the wonder of 1t still in her
soft eyes. Would she waken to love
or to disillusion2
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.
sYes. ought to get here soon after
dark. win 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
bubbled 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, 1t was stanza from Burns
Z TIL a the seas sang. dry. my dear.
And the rocks melt wi the sun:
will love thee still, my dear,
While the sands o. life shall run.
She caught old Gideon looking at
her with queer little smile on his
weather-tanned face and she felt the
color beat into her cheeks.
II haven't bought wedding present
for twenty years." be told her pres
emily. apropos of nothing that had
been said. II won't know what's the
proper thing TO get, Miss Sheba."
IF you talk nonsense like that I'll
go out and talk to Mr.. saltwater
Pete" she threatened, blushlng.
Old Gid folded his hands meekiy.
"Tll be good--honest will. Let's see.
/ got to make safe and sane converse
ton, have II Hml Wonder when that
lazy, long-legged, good-for-nothing
horsethief and holdup that calls him
self Gordon Elliot will get back to
camp"
Sheba looked into his twinkling eyes
suspiciously as she handed him his |
coffee. For moment she bit her lip
10 keep back a smile, then said with |
mock severity:
Nov, I am going to leave you to |
Mrs. Olson"
When sunset came 1t found Sheba |
on the trail. saltwater Pete had Of
fered to go with her, but she had been |
relieved Of his well-meant kindness by |
the demand of Holt.
mo, you don't, Pete. You amt
a-goin' off gallivantin' with no young
lady. You're a-goin' to stay here and |
fix my game leg for me. What do you
reckon Miss Sheba wants with fat, |
lop-sided lummox like you along with |
herr"
Pete grew purple with embarrass-
ment. He had not intended anything
more than civility and ne wanted this
understood.
limp Amt you got no sense
a-tall, Gid? If Miss Sheba's bent on
goin' to meet Elliot, allowed some one
ought to go along and keep the dark
often her. Course there amt nothin'
going to harm her, unless she goes and
gets lost"
Sheba's smile cooled the heat of the
stage driver. Which she isn't going
to do Good of you to offer to go with
me. Don't mind Mr.. Holt. Everybody
snows he doesn't mean half of what
he says. I'd be glad to have you come
with me, but It isn't necessary at all.
SO I'll nnt frotihIp Won -