Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1918-08-01


forest one. The two teams now going
down had come up. so that the path
was packed fairly hard and smooth.
Holt lay prOpped on his own sled
against the sleeping-bags. Sheba
mushed behind Gordon. She chatted
with them both, but ignored entirely
the existence Of Macdonald, who fol-
lowed with his prize-winning Siberian
dogs.
Though she tried not to let her lover
know 1t, Sheba was troubled at heart.
Gordon was practically the prisoner of
a man who hated him bitterly, who be-
lieved him guilty of murder, and who
would go through fire to bring punish
ment home to him. She knew the
power Of Macdonald. With the money
back Of him, he had for two years
fought against and almost prevailed
over strong public opinion in the
United States. He was as masterful In
his hatred as in his love. The dominant,
fighting figure In the Northwest, he
trOd his sturdy way through opposition
like Colossus.
Nor did she any longer have any
Illusions about him. He could be both
ruthless and INSCRIPTIONS when 1t
suited his purpose. AS the day wore
toward noon. her spirits dropped. She
was tired physically, and this reacted
upon her courage.
The warmer weather was spelling
the trail. 1t became so soft and mushy
that though snowshoes were needed,
they could not be worn on account of
the heavy snow which chung to them
every time a foot was lifted. They
wore mukluks,~ but Sheba was wet to
the knees. The spring had gone from
her step. Her shoulders began to sag.
For some time Gordon's eye had
been seeking a good place for day
camp. He found it In bit Of open
timber above the trail, and without a
word he swung his team from the path.
Where are you going?" demanded
Macdonald.
Going to rest for al hour" was FL
liot's cur: answer.
Macdonald's jaw clamped. He strobe
forward through the snow beside the
trail. well see about that"
:, The younger man faced him angrily.
Is not another mile of travel In her un-
til she has rested"
The hard, gray eyes of the Alaskan
took in the slender weary figure lean
Ing against the sled. On soft and
mushy trail like this, where every
footstep punched hole In the loose
snow, the dogs could not traved with
any extra weight A few miles farther
down they would come to a main-trav-
eled road and the going would be bet
t"'-.han-she ps'st walk Mac
ter. But l.e-- f-------u.z -
donald gave way with a gesture of his
hand and turned on his heel.
At the campfire Sheba dried her
mukluks. stockings, caribou mitts and
short skirts. Too tired to eat she
forced herself to swallow a few bites
and drank eagerly some tea. Gordon
had brought blankets from the sled
and he persuaded her to lie down for
q few minutes.
you'll call me soon II / should
Sleep" she said drowsily, and her eyes
were closed almost before the words
we're of her lips.
When Macdonald came to order the
start half an hour later, sire was still
asleep. "Give her another thirty min
utes," he said gruff1y
Youth is resilient. Sheba awoke
rested and ready for work.
While Gordon was untangling the
dogs she was left alone for a minute
with the mine-owner.
The hungry look In his eyes touched
her. Impulsively she held out her
hand.
You're going to be fair, aren't you,
Mr.. Macdonald? Because you-don't
like him-you WON'T"
He looked straight into the dark
appealing eyes. I'm going to be fair
to Robert Milton" he told her harsh
ly. "Pm going to see his murderers
hanged If 1t costs me every dollar
have in the world"
None Of US objects to justice" she
told him proudly. Gordon has moth
ing to fear If only the truth Is told"
''Then why come to mer he de-
/. manded.
She hesitated; then with a wistful
little smile, spoke what was In her
heart. Pm afraid you won't do JUS
tice to yourself You're good-and
brave-and strong. But you're very
willful and set. I don't want to lose
my friend. want to know that he is
all have believed him-a great man
who stands for the things that are fine
and clean and just"
Then 1t Is for my sake and not for
his that you want me to drop the case
against Elliott" he asked ironically.
For yours and for his, too. You
can't hurt him. Nobody can really be
hurt from outside-not unless he Is 9
traitor to himself. And Gordon Elliot
isn't that. He couldn't do such 6
thing as this with which you charge
him. 1t Is not In his nature. He car
explain everything"
Il don't doubt that. he and hi
niend Holt are great little explaipera-