The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-04-06

was u-uutlCi, III AcuA VI ohO nhSV A0s
WHAT When the Indian woman told
how she had first crossed the path Of
Macdonald, the color famed into the
cheeks Of the Irish girl, but as the
story progressed, the blood ebted
even from her lips.
With swift movement Of her fin
gers she flashed on the hall light. Her
gaze searched the brown. shiny face OF
the little chap. She read there an af-
fidavit Of the truth of his mothers
tale. It was impossible to see him
and not recognize Colby Macdonald re-
incarnated.
"What is your name7" asked Sheba
suddenly.
The youngster hung back shyly
among the folds Of the Indian woman's
skirt. "Colmac," he said at last softly.
"Comel" Sheba flung open the door
Of the living room and ushered them
in.
Macdonald, pacing restlessly up and
down the room during her absence,
pulled up In his stride. He stood frown-
ing at the native woman, then his eyes
passed to Elliot and fastened upon
him. The face Of the Scotsman was
grim as that of q hanging judge.
Gordon started to explain, then
stopped with shrug. What was the
use? The man would never believe
him In the world.
'T1l remember this" the Alaskan
promised his rival. There was a cold
glitter In his eyes. sudden fare OF
the devil that was blood-chilling.
'It's true, then" broke in Sheba.
You're a-squaw man. You belong
to this woman"
Nothing Of the kind. That's been
ended for years"
"Ended" Sheba drew Colmac for
ward by the wrist. do you deny that
this is your boy?"
The big Alaskan brushed this aside
as Of no moment. II dare say he is.
Anyhow, I'm paying for his keep. What
of 1t? That's all finished and done
with"
How can It be done with when
when she's the mother Of your child,
your wife before God?' Standing there
straight as an aspen, the beautiful
bosom rising and falling quickly while
tle storm waves beat through her
blood, Sheba O'Neill had never made
more appeal to the strong, lawless
man who desired her for his wife.
"You don't understand" Macdon-
AIDS big fists were clenched so saw
agely that the knuckles stood out
white from the brown tan Of the flesh.
"This Is mans country. It's new
close to nature. What he wants he
takes-if he's strong enough. I'm ele-
mental. +"
"You wanted her-and you took her.
Now you want me-and I suppose
you'll take me too" Her scornful
words had the sting Of whiplash.
"Pve lived as all men live who have
red blood in them. This woman was
an incident. I've been aboveboard.
She can't say / ever promised more
than I've given. I've kept her and the
boy. It's been no secret If you had
asked. would have told you the whole
story"
'Does that excuse you?"
II don't need any excuse. I'm q
man. That's excuse enough, The one
big fact you want to set your teeth into
now is that love you, that there isn't
another woman on Gods earth for me,
and that there never will be again..
Her eyes flashed battle. '"The one
big fact I'm facing is that you have
insulted me-that you insult me again
when you mention love with that wom-
an and boy in the room. You belong
to them-go to them-and leave me
alone. / hate the sight Of you. Why
don't you go-all Of you-and leave
me In peaceY
It was cry of bruised pride and
wounded love. Elliot touched the In
dian woman on the shoulder. Meteetse
turned stolidly and walked out of the
room, still leading Colmac by the hand.
The young man followed.
Macdonald closed the door behind
them. then strobe frowning up and
down the room. The fear was grow
ing on him that for all his great driv-
ing power he could not shake this
slim girl from the view to which she
chung. His relation with Meteetse
had been natural enough. He believed
that he had acted very honorably to
her. Many a man would have left
her In the lurch to take care Of the
youngster by herself But he had ac-
knowledged his obligation. He was
paying his debt scrupulously, and be-
cause of 1t the story had risen to con-
front him. He felt that 1t was an I'M
just blow Of fate.
He knew that he must justify him
self before Sheba or lose her. AS he
stood In the dusk so tall and rigid, he
knew her heart was steel to him. Her
finely chiseled face had the look of
race. Never had the spell of her been
more upon him. He crushed back a
keen-edged desire to take her supple
young body into his arms and kiss her
till the scarlet ran into her cheeks
like splashes of wine.
you haven't the. proper slant on
this, Sheba. Alaska 10 the last from
tier. It's the dropping-off place.
Yn,,,rn north az Af4,, 4h-na,