The Red Cloud chief., 1918-04-18
CHAPTER xxi-Contlnued.

mat In I'LL IHe teHtutlNe suBBeSllOlin
made by Holt and saltwater the
comfort Of Sheba was the first thing
In mind.
The girl, too, noticed It and smil-
ingly protested, her soft hand lying
for the moment on the gnarled n of
the old miner.
at doesn't matter about me. We
have to think Of what will be best for
MI. Holt, Of how to get him to the
proper care. My comfort can wait"
The plan at last decided upon was
that Gordon should make a dash for
Smiths Crossing on snowshoes, where
he was to arrange for n relief party to
come out for the injured man and Mrs.
Olson. He was to return ut once with
out waiting for the Next
morning he and Sheba would start
with Hollis dog team for Kusiak.
Macdonald had taught Sheba how to
use s%nowshoes 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
nounced that she vas going with FL
lot part Of the way.
Gordon thought her movements a
miracle Of supple lightness. Her lines
had the swelling roundness Of vital
youth, her eyes were alive with the
eagerness 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 as 1t had been when her
lips had turned to his ut the sunrise.
AS for him. love ran through his veins
like old wine. But he allowed his feel
ings no expression. For though she
that one blessed minute Mt dawn, he
could not be sure what had moved her
80 deeply. She was treadlng a world
primeval, the wonder of It still In her
soft eyes. Would she waken to love
or to dlsllluslon?
He took care to see that she did
not tire. Presently he stopped and
held out his hand to soy good-by.
"Will you come back this way2" she
asked.
eyes. I ought to get here soon after
dark. VIII you meet mef"
She gave him a quick, shy little nod,
turned without shaking hands, and
struck out for the cabin. All through
the day happiness flooded her heart.
While she waited on Holt or helped
Mrs. Olson cook or watched Swiftwa-
ter while he put up the tent In the lee
Of the cabin, little snatches Of sons
dubbed from her lips. Sometimes
they were bits Of old Irish ballads that
popped into her mind. Once. while
she was preparing some coffee for her
patient, 1t vas q stanza from Burns
TIL a the seas gang dry. my dear.
And the rocks melt WI the sum-
will love thee stili. my dear.
While the sands O. life shall run.
She caught old Gideon looking nj
her with a queer little smile on his
weather-tanned face and she felt the
color beat into her cheeks.
II haven't bought a wedding presen,
for twenty years." he told her pres
emily. 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 II
60 out and talk to Mr.. saltwater
Pete" she threatened, blushing.
Old Gid folded his hands meekly
"Pll be good-honest / will. Let's see
/ got to make safe and sane converse.
ton. have I? HIM! Wonder when that
lazy, long-legged. good-for-nothinp
horsethief and holdup that calls him
self Gordon Elliot will get back t,
camp"
Sheba looked into his twinkling eyes
s~uspiclously as she handed him hi,
coffee. For q moment she bit her liz
to keep back a smile, then said witt
mock severity:
SNOW, I am going to leave you t.
Mrs. Olson"
When sunset came 1t found Sheb'
on the trail. saltwater Pete had of
.fered to go with her, but she had beer
relieved Of his well-meant kindness b.
the demand Of Holt.
"No, you don't, Pete. You ain
a-goin' Off galllvantin' with no younI
10y You're a-goin' 10 stay here ant
fix my game leg for me. What do 20,
reckon Miss Sheba wants with a fat
lop-sided lummox like you along witt
herr"
Pete grew purple with embarrass
ment. He had not intended anythin
more than civility and he wanted thi
understood.
limp! Amt you got no sens
a-tall, Gid2 If Miss Sheba's bent o
goin' to meet Elliot, I allowed some on
ought to go along and keep the dar
often her. Course there amt nothlr
going to harm her. unless she goes an
gets lost"
Sheba's smile cooled the heat Of tn
stage driver. (which she isn't goIn
to do. Good of you to offer to go wit
me. Don't mind Mr.. Holt. Everybod
knows he doesn't mean half Of wha
he says. I'd be glad to have you com