Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1918-07-11

SuSplclOuSly as she handed MIN his
coffee. For moment she bit her lip
to keep back smile, then said with
mock severity:
Now. I am going to leave you to
Mrs. Olson"
When sunset came 1t found Sheba
on the trail. saltwater Pete had Of
fered 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 gallivantil' 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 a fat,
lop-sided lummox like you along with
herr"
Pete grew purple with embarrass-
ment. He had not intended anything
more than civility and he wanted this
understood.
limp. Amt you got no sense
a-tall, Gid? If Miss Sheba's bent on
goin' to meet Elliot, allowed some one
ought to go along and keep the dark
often her. Course there amt nothin'
going to harm her, unless she goes and
gets lost"
Sheba'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
knows he doesn't mean half of what
he says. I'd be glad to have you come
with me, but 1t 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 ear
lier in the day.
She stopped at last 1t was getting
much colder. She was miles from the
camp. Reluctantly she decided to re-
turn Then, out Of the darkness, he
came abruptly upon her, the man
whom she had come out to meet.
Under the magic of the Northern
stars they found themselves again in
each others arms for that brief mo-
ment of joyful surprise. Then, as 1t
had been In the morning, Sheba drew
herself shyly away.
"They are waiting supper for u.s."
she told him irrelevantly.
He did not shout out his happiness
and tell her to let them wait. For
Gordon, too, felt awed at this wonder
full adventure of love that had befal-
len them. 1t was enough for him that
they were moving side by side, alone
In the deep SHOWS and the biting cold,
that waves of emotion crashed through
his pulses when his swinging hand
touched hers.
They were acutely conscious of each
other. Excitement burned In the ewes
. that turned to swift, reluctant
. meetings. She was a woman, and he
was her lover. Neither of them dared
!. quite accept the fact yet, but it filed
the background of oil their thoughts
with delight.
Sheba did not want to talk of this
: new, amazing thing that had come into
her life. 1t was too sacred a subject
= to discuss just yet even with him. Sc
she began to tell him odd fancies from
childhood that fingered In her Celtic
heart, tales Of the little folk" that
= were half memories and half imagin
ings, stirred to life by some old asso
= citation of sky and stars. She laughed
softly at herself as she told them, but
Everything she did was for him d.
q vinely done. Even when his eyes were
on the dark trail ahead he saw onl,
le the dusky loneliness of curved cheek
the face luminous with a radiance
= some women are never privileged t.
know, the rhythm of head and bod,
and slender legs that was part of hel
~ individual heaven-sent charm.
~ The rest finished supper before Cor
don and Sheba reached camp, but Mrs
~ Olson had a hot meal waiting for them
Il fixed up the tent for the wome,
20 folks-stove, sleeping bags, plenty O
q wood. Touch match to the fire an,
- It'll be snug as bug in a rug" ex
at planned saltwater to Gordon.
- Elliot and Sheba were to start earl
for Kusiak and later the rescue part
would arrive to take care of Holt an,
Mrs. Olson.
Time to turn In" Holt advised
You better light that stove, Elliot.
90 The young man was still iu the ten
10 arranging the sleeping bags when She
- ba entered. BE tried to walk out with
out touching her, intending to cal
back his goodnight But he could nc
1T do 1t. There was something flame
.. about her tonight that went to hi
az head Her tender, tremulous slittl
lie smile and the turn of her buoyap
little head stirred In him a lover
I'll rhapsody.
-er IT'S to be long trail we cover t.
morrow, Sheba. You must sleep. Goo
ly. night"
ee Good night-Gordon."
sa- There was a little flash of audacit
lat In the whimsical twist of her moutl
ng 1t was the first time she had eve
M called him By his given name.