The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-06-13

when at last they reached the road
house.
CHAPTER XIV.
Diane ChanQes Her Mind.
The news Of Sheba's safety had
been telephoned to Diane from the
roadhouse. 20 that all the family from
Peter down were ON the porch to vel
come her with mingled tears and
kisses. Since Gordon had to push on
to the hospital to have Holt taken care
Of. 1t was Macdonald who brought the
girl home. The mine-owner declined
rather brusQuely an invitation to stay
to dinner on the plea that he had busi-
ness at the once which would not wait.
Impulsively She6a held out both her
hands to him. believe me, am thank
ing you with the whole Of my heart.
my friend. And I'm praying for you
the old Irish blessing. God save you
kindly"
The deep-set, rapacious eyes Of the
Scotsman burned into hers for an in
slant. Without q word he released her
hands and turned away.
Her eyes followed him, q vital. dyna-
mic American who would do big. law
less things to the day Of his death.
She sighed. He had been a great ng-
ure In her life, and now he had passed
out Of It
A soon n she was alone with d.
ane, her Irish cousin dropped the little
bomb she had up her sleeve. -
A. ~ lAA
D."
Mrs. Paget embraced her for the
tenth time within an hour. She was
very fond Of Sheba, and she had been
on great strain concerning her safety.
That out Of her danger had resulted
the engagement Diane had hoped for
was surplusage Of good luck.
you lucky, sensible girl"
shsba asssnted demurely. Il do
think I'm sensible ~ wen ~ lucky. It
isn't every giri that knows the right
man for her even when he wants her.
But I know ut last. Hes the man for
me out Of ten million.v
"Tm sure Of Il, dear. oh, I am %
glad Diane hugged her again. She
couldn't help 1t.
zone gets to know q man pretty
well ON . trip like that wouldn't
change mine for any one that was ever
made. I like everything about him. Dd.
I am the happiest GIRL" Z,
"Tm 30 glad you see It that way at
last" Diane passed to the practical
aspect Of the situation. But Thurs
day. VIII that give NJ time, my dsar1
And who are you going to have herer'
"Just the family. I've invited two
guests, but neither Of them can come.
One has q broken leg and the other
says he doesn't want to see me mar
ried to another man." Sheba explained
with q smile.
$50 Gordon won't come"
"Yes. He'll have to be here. We
can't get along without, the bride
groom. It wouldn't be a legal mar
riage, would itf'
Diane looked at her. for the moment
dumb. "You little wretch I" she got
out at last. $50 it's Gordon, IL itf
Are you quite sure this timer Not
likely to change your mind before
Thursdayr'
81 suppose, to an outsider. do seem
nckle," Miss O'Neill admitted smiling
ly, "But Gordon and I both under
stand that"
"And Colby Macdonald-does he un-
derstand It toor'
"Oh, yes" Her smile grew broader.
'He told me that he didn't think I
would quite suit him, after all Not
enough experience for the place"
Diane flashed q suspicious look of
INQUIRY. +Of course that's nonsense.
What did he tell your
"Something like that. He will marry
Mrs. Mallory, I think, though he doesn't
know 1t yet"
.sYou mean she viii get him ON the
rebound" said Diane bluntiy.
'That isn't q nice way to put 1t. He
has always liked her very much. He
IL fond Of her for what she is. What
attracted him In mo were the things
his Imagination gave to me-:
"And Gordon Nkee yca, suppose,
fer what ycu arer
Sheba did not resent the little note
Of friendly SARCASM II suppose he
has his fancies about me, too, but By
the tims he 6nds out what I am hen
have to put up with me-"
The arrival Of Elliot Interrupted con
fldences. He had como. he said, b -.
lcsive congratulationA