The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-06-06
CHAPTER xxl-censlnu.d.

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. Ny comfort can walt"
The plan at last decided upon was
that Gordon should make dash for
Smiths Crossing on snowshoes, where
he was to arrange for a 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 Holt's 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
uounced that she was going with El-
liot part Of the way.
Gordon thought her movements q
miracle Of supple lightness. Her lines
had the swelling roundness Of vital
youth, her eyes were alive with the
sagefness that time dulls In most
faces. They spoke little as they swept
forward over the white snow wastes.
The spell Of the great North was over
her. Its mystery was stirring In her
heart Just ~ 1t had been when her
HIPS had turned to his at the sunrise.
~ for him, love ran through his veins
like old wine. But he allowed his feel
lngs NO expression. For though she
had come to him Of her own accord for
that one blessed minute 1t dawn, he
could not bs sure what had moved her
70 deeply. She was treading Q world
primeval. the wonder Of It still In her
soft eyes. Would she waken to love
or to disilludoof -f..
He took care to zee that she did
mot tirA Presently he stopped and
held out his hand to say sood-by.
"Win you come back this wayf" she
aaksd.
"Yes. I ought to get here soon after
dark. WIN you meet mer'
She gave him q quick, shy little nod.
turned without shdking hands, and
struck out for the cabin. All through
the day happiness flooded her heart.
While she waited on Holt or helped
Hrs. Olson cook or watched Swiftwa-
ter while he put up the tent In the lee
Of the cabin. little snatcbes Of song
bubbled from her lips. Sometimes
they were bits Of old Irish ballads that
popped into her mind. Once. while
che was preparing some coffee for hsr
patient, 1t was . stanza from Burns:
Aaa tAs rseis melt VI the ssni
yii isvs tAse still. ny lse..
She caught old Gideon looking at
her with q queer little smile ON his
Weathsr-tanned face and she felt the
color beat into her cheeks.
II haven't bought Q wedding present
for twenty years." he told her pres
entity, apropos Of nothing that had
been said. II won't know what's the
proper thing to get, Miss Sheba."
"If you talk nonsense like that I'll
70 out and talk to Mr.. Saltwater
Pete" shs threatened. blushing.
Old Gid folded his hands meekly.
It'll be good-honest I will. Let's see.
rot to make safe and sane converse
tion, have II Hmi Wonder when that
lazy, long-leg4ed, good-for-nothing
horssthief and holdup that calls him.
self Gordon Elliot will get back to
camp"
sheba looked Into his twinkling eyes
suspiclously a. she handed him his
cofIee. For q moment she bit her lip
to keep back q smile. then said with
mock severity:
'Now. I am going to leave you to
Mrs. Olson"
When sunset came It found sheba
on the trail. Saltwater Pete had Of
fered to 20 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-soin' OF gaIlivantin' with no young
lady. You're a-goin' to stay here and
az my game leg for me. What do you
reckon Miss Shsba wants with . 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.
sHmp! Amt you got no sense
a-tall, Gidf II Miss Sheba's bent on
eoin' to meet Elliot, allowed some one
ought to 90 along and keep the dark
nften her. Course there amt .nothin'
going to harm her, unless she goee 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 90 with