The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1918-03-08

as of no moment. 81 dare say he Is.
Anyhow, I'm paying for his keep. What
Of it? That's all finished and done
with"
"How can it be done with when
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 say
agely that the knuckles stood out
white from the brown tan of the flesh.
''This is mans country. It's new
close to nature. What he wants he
takes-if he's strong enough. I'm ele-
mental. T."
"You wanted her-and you took her.
Now you want me-and I suppose
you'll take me too" Her scornful
words had the sting Of a whiplash.
"rve 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, would have told you the whole
story"
"Does that excuse your"
vi don't need any excuse. I'm
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 peace"
| 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 Colmac 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
| III En{a
had been natural enough. He believed
that he had acted very honorably to
her. Many a 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 I'M
just 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
|, |
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 fifty-three."
Gam I north of the Ten Command
| r,on+cou che dopnopdod with tbo ;pov
orable judgment Of youth. did yor
leave the moral code at home wher
: you came in over the ice?"
/ He smiled little. Morality is thu
average conduct of the average me-
at given time and place. It is base
on custom and expediency. The rule,
, made for Drogheda won't fit Dawson
f or Nome. Meteetse does not hold her
E self disgraced but honored. She counts
!. her boy far superior to the othe
e youngsters of the village, and he Il
so considered by the tribe. I am toll,
e she lords 1t over her sisters"
e A faint flush Of anger crept into he
r cheeks. ''Your view Of morality put
: us on level with the animals. I will
g not discuss the subject If you please.
t 1--WE must discuss 1t. must get yo1
t to see that Meteetse and what sh
stood for in my life have nothing t
f do with us. They belong to my pas
e She doesn't exist for either of us
e isn't in any way part Of my presen
d or future"
"She exists for me-" answered Sheb
l. listlessly. She felt suddenly old an
r weary. "But I can't talk about 4
4 Please go. want to be alone"
+ Again Macdonald paced restlessl
s down the room and back. The ma
n was one among ten thousand, dom
nant, virile, every ounce Of him stron
as tested steel. But he felt as II a
a his energy were Gagged.
"Why don't you go?" the girl plead
y ed. tits no use to stay"
8 He stopped in front Of her. "Tl
=. going to marry you, Sheba. Your
n NINE"
n mo. Never" she cried. It'll tax
the boat and 60 home first"
d you've promised to marry m
e, You're going to keep your word an
J. be glad of 1t all your life."
IS She shook her head. "No."
n EYES," Macdonald had alway
Is shown remarkable restraint with he
He had kissed her seldom. and AWAY
n with kind Of awe at her young pu
le ity. Now he caught her by the shou
70 ders.
The color famed into her face. ST
IN looked hot to the touch, an acti,
Id volcano ready to erupt. There was 9
IF odd feeling in her mind that this b