Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-01-26

on. She borrowed the snowshoes
of Holt, wrapped herself in her
parka, and announced that she was
going with Elliot 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 dulIs
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 rurned
to his at the sunrise. AS for him,
love ran through his veins like old
wine. But he allowed his feelings
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 a
world primeval, the wonder of it
still in her soft eyes. Would she
waken to love or to disillusion?
He took care to see that she did
not tire. Presently he stopped and
held out his hand to say goodby.
will you come back this way? ?"
she asked.
Yes. I ought to get here soon
after dark. Will you meet me?"
She gave him a 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 Swiftwater while he put up
the tent in the lee of the cabin.
little snatches of song bubbled from
her lips. Sometimes they were bits
o fold Irish ballads that popped in
to her mind. Once, while she was
patient, it was a stana from Burns:
Till a the seas gang 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 a queer little smile on his
weather-tanned face and she felt
the color beat into her cheeks.
IT haven't bought a wedding pres
ent for twenty years." he told her
presently, apropos of nothing that
had been said. "I won't know what's
the proper thing to get, Miss Sheba. -
IF yo utalk nonsense like that
I'll go out and talk to Mr.. Swift
water Pete" she threatened, blush
ing.
Old Gid folded his hands meekly.
"I'll be good-honest I will. Let's
see. I got to make safe and sane
conversation, have I? Nm! Won
der when that lazy long-legged,
good-for-nothing horsethief and
holdup that calls himself Gordon
Elliot will get hac kto camp"
Sheba looked into his twinkling
eyes suspi"Ionsly as she handed hi =
his coffee. For moment she bit
her lip to kee pback a smile, then
said with mock severity:
Now, I am going to leave you to
Mrs. Olson.
When sunset came it found Sheba
on the trail. saltwater Pete had
offered 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 any
thing more than civility and he
wanted this understood.
Emp! Amt you got noSsense
s-tall, Gid? If Miss Sheba's bent
on goin' to meet Elliot, I allowed
SOM one ought to go along and
keep the dark often her. Course
there ain't nothin' going to harm
her, unless she goes and gets lost
ShCha'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 knws he doesn't mean
half of what what he says. I'd be
glad to have you come with me, but
it isn't necessary at all. So I'll not
trouble you"
Darkness fell quickly, but Sheba
still held to the trail. There was no
sign of Elliot, but she felt sure he
would come soon. Meanwhile she
followed steadily the tracks he had
made earlier in the day.
She stopped at last. It was get
ting much colder. She was miles
from the camp. Reluctantly she
decided to return. Then, out of the
darkness, he came abruptly upon
her, the man whom she can oor,o