Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1918-07-11
LIAM Macleod RAINE
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Copyright. ASVts py
Sheba turned to the old miner I'M
pulsively. eff you could be knowing
what am thinking of you, Mr.. Holt
how full our hearts are of the graft
t1de-" She stopped, tears in her
voice.
"Sho! No need Of that, miss. He
dragged me along" His thumb jerked
toward the man who was driving. I've
seen better dog punchers than Elliot,
but he's got the world beat at routin'
old-timers out Of bed and persuadin'
them to kick In with him and buck a
blizzard Me, O. course, I'm an old fool
for comm"
The dark eyes Of the girl were like
stars in a frosty night. "Then you're
the kind Of fool 1 love, Mr.. Holt.
think 1t was just fine of you, and I'll
never forget 1t as long as live"
Mrs. Olson had cooked too long In
lumber and mining camps not to know
something about bone setting. Under
her direction Gordon made splints and
helped her bandage the broken leg.
Sheba cooked an appetizing breakfast.
The aroma of coffee and the smell Of
frying bacon stimulated appetites that
needed no tempting.
Holt. propped up by blankets, ate
with the others. For a good many
years he had taken his luck as 1t came
with philosophic endurance. Now he
wasted no time in mourning what
could not be helped. He was lucky
the ice slide had not hit him in the
head. A broken leg would mend.
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 Will be best for
Mr.. Holt, Of how to get him to the
proper care. My comfo't 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 q 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 Ell.
lot part Of the way.
Gordon thought her movements 8
miracle Of supple lightness. Her lines
had the swelling roundness of vita
youth, her eyes were alive with the
eagerness that time dulls In mos
faces. They spoke little as they sweep
forward over the white snow wastes
The spell Of the great North was owe
her. Its mystery was stirring In he
heart, Just as 1t had been when he
lips had turned to his at the sunrise
AS for him, love ran through his vein
like old wine. But he allowed his feel
ings no expression. For though sh
had come to him of her own accord 70
that one blessed minute at dawn, h
could not be sure what had moved he
20 deeply. She was treading a worl
primeval, the wonder of 1t still In he
soft eyes. Would she waken to low
or m dtafllusion7
BE took care to see that she al
not tire. Presently he stopped an
held out his hand to say good-by.
"Will you come back this way?" sh
asked.
Yes. ought to get here soon aft<
dark. VIII you meet me?"
She gave him quick, shy little no,
turned without shaking hands, an
struck out for the cabin. All throus
the day happiness flooded her hear
While she waited on Holt or helpe
Mrs. Olson cook or watched Swiftw,
ter while he put up the tent In the Ii
Of the cabin, little snatches of sor
dubbed from her lips. Sometim,
they were bits Of old Irish ballads tn,
popped into her mind. Once, viii
she was preparing some coffee for h
patient, 1t was stanza from Burns
TIL 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
her with a queer little smile on
weather-tanned face and she felt Il
color beat into her cheeks.
II haven't bought a wedding prese
for twenty years." he told her pre-
emily, apropos of nothing that h,
been said. 81 won't know what's I
proper thing to get, Miss Sheba."
If you talk nonsense like that ]
60 out and talk to Mr.. Swiftwat
Pete" she threatened, blpshing.
Old Gid folded his hands meek
'Tll be good-honest Will. Let's 81
I got to make safe and sane CONVEX.
lion, have II HIM. Wonder when til
lazy, lonS-legged. good-for-nothi
hQrsethief and holdup that calls hi