Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-05-31
CHAPTER XVII.
Sheba Does Not Think So,

who lay asleep on the lounge. His |
strong body lay at ease, relaxed.
Already health was flowing back into |
his veins. Beneath the tan of the
thin, muscular cheeks q warmer color |
was beginning to creep. Soon he would |
be about again, vigorous and fOrceful,
striding over obstacles to the goal he
had set himself
Sheba had sent him n check for the
amount he had paid her and had re-
fused to see him or anybody else.
Shamed and Inundated. she had kept
to her room. The check had come back
to her by mail.
Across the face of it he had written
in his strong handwriting:
81 don't welsh on my bets. You can't
give to me what is not mine.
do not think for an instant that I
shall not marry you"
She moved to adjust window blind
and when she returned found that his
steady eyes were fixed upon her.
You're getting better fast" she
said.
Eyes"
The girl had favor to ask Of him
and lest her courage fail she plunged
into it.
"Mr. Macdonald, If you say the word
Mr.. Elliot will be released on bail. I
am thinking you will be so good as to
say It,"
His narrowed eyes held a cold gilt
ter. "WhyT
you must know he is innocent. You
must"
II know only what the evidence
shows" he cut in, warily on his guard.
HE may or may not have been one Of
my attackers. From the first blow
was dazed. But everything points to
1t that he hired"
"Oh, no." interrupted the Irish girl,
her dark eyes shining softly. THE way
of 1t is that he saved your life, that
he fought for you, and that he is in
prison because of It,"
IF that is true. why doesn't he
bring some proof Of itT
"Proof" she cried scornfully. "Be-
tween friends"
Hes no friend Of mine. The man Is
a meddler. 1 despise him."
The scarlet flooded her cheeks.
"And am liking him very, very much, "
she flung back stanchly.
Macdonald looked up at the vivid.
flushed face and found 1t wholly
charming. He liked her none the less
because her fine eyes were hot and
defiant in behalf Of his rival.
Every WELL" he smiled. "Tll get
him out If you'll do me a good turn.
''Thank you. It's bargain
''Then sing to me-"
"What shall I singT'
"Sing Divided"
The long lashes yelled her soft eyes
while she considered. In a way he had
tricked her into singing for him q
lOve-sOng she did not want to sing
But she made no protest. Swiftly she
turned and slid along the bench. Her
fingers touched the keys and she be.
gan.
Sheba paid her pledge in full. After
the first two stanzas were finished she
sang the last ones as well:
An what about the wather when I'd
have ould Paddy's boat
Is 1t me that would be afeard to grip the
ears an go afoat?
Oh, could find him by the light of sur
or moon star:
But there's caulder things than salt waves
between US. so they are.
Och anee.
Sure we'll I know he'll never have the
| heart to come to me.
An love is wild as any wave that wan
ders on the sea,
IT'S the same IL he is near me, tits the
same II he is far:
His thoughts are hard an ever hard be-
tween US. so they are.
Och anee,
Her hands dropped from the keys
and she turned slowly on the end OF
the seat. The dark lashes fell to hel
hot cheeks. He did not speak. but sh,
felt the steady insistence of his gaze
In self-defense she looked at him.
The pallor of his face lent accent tC
the fire that smoldered in his eyes.
"rm going to marry you. Sheba
. Make up your mind to that, girl" h,
said harshly.
There was infinite pity in the lool
she gave him. ""There'S calIlder thing.
than salt waves between us. so they
! are" she quoted.
mot if l love you and you love me
BY the Lord. I trample down every
thing that comes between Ms"
She knew the tremendous drivin:
power of the man and she was afrai,
, in her heart that he would eveeI, he
, from the moorin"s To which she chung
There is something else | haven
, told You" The embarrassed lashc
lifted hravely from the flushed cheek
To meet steadily his look. Il don't thinl
, that I-care for YOU. tbs I tha
, am Shamed at my-fickleneSs. But
, don't-nOt with the full of my heart.
, His bold. poSSeSSive eyes yielded n
fraction of all they claimed. Tim
, enough for that. Sheha. Truth is tina
you're afraid 10 let yourself love m,
! You're worried because You can
4, measure me by the little two-by-fou
foot-rulc you brought from lrelan
p with YOU
Sheha nodded her dusky little hca
in naive candor. Il think there viii b
4 some truth in that. Mr.. Macdonald
You're lawleSS. you know.
Q I'm a law 70 myself. if that's wha
o YOU mean. 1t is my business TO hel