The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-02-28

don't bean Colby MacdOnaldT
"Why don't II"
"But-Good Lord, he isn't squaw
man, is hep
"Not in the usual meaning Of the
word. She never cooked and kept
house for him. Just the same, little
Colmac is his kid. Couldn't you see
1t sticking out all over him? He's the
spit n image Of his dad"
Il see it now you've pointed 1t out.
I was trying to think who he reminded
me of. OF course it was Macdonald"
MAC met up with Meteetse when he
first secuted this country for coal five
years ago. So fairs l know he was
square enough with the girl. She
never claimed he made any promises
or anything like that. He sends a
check down once quarter to the |
trader here for her and the kid"
But young Elliot was not thinking |
about Meteetse. His minds eye saw
another picture-the girl at Kusiak,
listening spellbound to the tales Of
man whose actions translated romance
into life for her, girl swept from the
quiet backwaters Of an Irish village
to this land Of the midnight sun with
its amazing contrasts.
And all the way up on the boat she
continued to ill his mind. The slow
ness of the steamer fretted him. Some
times the jealousy in his heart famed
| up like q prairie fire when 1t comes
| to brush heap. The outrage of 1t
set him blazing with indignation. It
was no less than a conspiracy. What
could an innocent young girl like
Sheba know of such a man as Colby
Macdonald? Her Imagination con-
ceived, no doubt, an idealized vision Of
him. But the real man was clear out
side her ken.
Gordon set his jaw grimly. He
would have it out with Diane. BE
would let her see she was not going
to have it all her own way. BY
heaven, he would put a spoke In her
wheel.
4 He was on fire to come to his jour-
ney's end. No sooner had he reached
his hotel than he called up Mrs. Paget.
Quite clearly she understood that he
wanted an invitation to dinner. Yet
she hesitated.
my phone can't be working well,"
Gordon told her gayly. "You must
have asked me to dinner, but I didn't
just hear it. Never mind. I'll be there.
Seven o'clock. did you say?"
Diane laughed. You're just as
much boy as you were ten years
ago. Cord. All right. Come along. But
you're to leave at ten."
mo, I can't hear that. My phone
has gone bad again. And II had
heard, shouldn't think Of doing any
thing so ridiculous as leaving at that
hour. It would be an insult to your
hospitality. know when I'm well
off,"
"Then I'll have to withdraw my In
/ vitation. Perhaps some other day
"I'll leave at ten," promised Elliot
meekly.
ii He could almost hear the smile In
, her voice as she answered. Every well
Seven sharp. I'll explain about the
, curfew limit some time"
Macdonald was with Miss O'Neill II
the living room when Gordon arrived
at the Paget home.
! Sheba came forward to greet III
new guest. The welcome In her eyel
| was very genuine.
"Ycu and Mr.. Macdonald know eacl
: other, of course" she said after hel
I handshake.
The Scotsman nodded his lean, griz
: zled head, looking straight into tn
eyes Of the field agent.
e Eyes, know Mr.. Elliot-now. Tn
e not sure that he knows me-yet."
q I'm beginning to know you rathe
well, Mr.. Macdonald" answered Cor
o don quietly.
e II the Alaskan wanted to declar
war he was ready for it. The feel,
/ agent knew that Selfridge had kept re
/ ports detailing what had happened a
3 Kamatlah. Up to date Macdonald ha,
' offered him the velvet glove. He won
dered IL the time had come when tn
= fist of steel was to be doubled.
d ibid you have successful trip, MI
Elliott" asked Sheba innocently.
I Paget grinned behind his hand. Tn
! girls question was like a match I
powder, and everyone in the room
knew 1t but she. The engineers In
terests and his convictions were on tn
side of Macdonald but he recognize
that Elliot had been sent in to gathe
facts for the government and not
give advice to it.
did you, Gordon7" echoed his host
ess.
. II think so," he answered quietly.
II hear you put up with old GideO
Holt. Is he as cracked as he used
beY' asked Macdonald.
"Was he cracked when you used
know him on Frenchman creekT coul
tered the young man.
Macdonald shot quick, slant loo
at him. The old man had been tall
ing, had he7
HE was cracked and broke, too
laughed the mine owner hardil,
Cracked when he came, broke whe
he left"
Eyes, that was one Of the stories /
told me-" Gordon turned to Sheb
sYou should meet the old man, Mi
O'Neill. He knew your father at Day
son and on Bonanza"
The girl was all eagerness. II
like to. Does he ever come to 4
siakf"