The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-03-07

val, were already gone like the flame
OF q blown candle. Clearly her heart
was a-flutter, In fear of she knew NOT
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 ebbed
even from her lips.
With q swift movement OF her nm
gers she flashed on the hall light. Her
gaze searched the brown, shiny face OF
the little chap. She read there an at
fidavit Of the truth Of his mothers
tale. It was impossible to see him
and not recognize Colby Macdonald re-
incarnated.
"What is your name?" asked sheba
suddenly.
The youngster hung back shyly
among the folds of the Indian woman's
skirt. "Colmac," he said at last softly.
"Oome! Sheba fling open the door
Of the living room and ushered them
In.
Macdonald pacing restlessly up and
down the room during her abs nee,
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 hanging Judge.
! <}Ordon started to explain, then
stopped with shrug. What was the
| use? The man would never believe
him in the world.
'Tll remember this" the Alaskan
promised his rival. There was a cold
glitter In his eyes, sudden flare Of
the devil that was blood-chilling.
.It's true, them" broke in Sheba.
~You're a-squaw man. You belong
| 30 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 Is 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
the storm waves beat through her
I blood, Sheba O'Neill had never made
more appeal to the strong, lawless
e 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.
l. 'AThis is a mans country. It's new
I close to nature. What he wants he
takes-if he's strong enough. I'm ele-
G mental. Il"
d "You wanted her-and you took her.
d Now you want me-and I suppose
d you'll take me too" Her scornful
q words had the sting of whiplash.
"I've lived as all men live who have,
4 red blood In them. This woman was
q an incident. I've been aboveboard.
(. She can't say l ever promised more
e than I've given. I've kept her and the
II boy. It's been no secret. II you had
asked. would have told you the whole
te story
&c 'Does that excuse your
II don't need any excuse. I'm q
e man. That's excuse enough. The one
big fact you want to set your teeth into
re now is that I love you, that there isn't
= another woman on Gods earth for me,
r. and that there never win be again.
IN Her eyes flashed battle. "The one
z. big fact I'm facing is that you have
insulted me-that you insult me again
when you mention love with that WON
an anI boy in the room. You belong
ne to them-go to them-and leave me
ne alone. ! hate the sight Of you. Why
at don't you go-all Of you-and leave
d me In peace?"
/. 1t was a cry Of bruised pride and
nc wounded love. Elliot touched the In.
ed dian woman on the shoulder. Meteetse
turned stolldly and walked out Of the
lis room, still leading Colmac by the hand
" The young man followed.
Macdonald closed the door behint
II them, then strobe frowning up ant
no down the room. The fear was grow
70 ing on him that for all his great driv
ing power he could not shake thi.
slim girl from the view to which sht
chung. His relation with Meteetst
] had been natural enough. He believed
4 that he had acted very honorably t.
/ her. Many a man would have LET
! her in the lurch to take care Of tn
Il youngster by herself. But he had &C
II knowledged. his obligation. He wa
paying his debt scrupulously, and be
cause Of it the story had risen to con
front him. He felt that it was an un
II Just blow Of fate.
III He knew that he must justify him
II self before Sheba or lose her. As h
II stood in the dusk so tall and rigid, h
knew her heart was steel to him. He
finely chiseled face had the look O
race. Never had the spell Of her bee
more upon him. He crushed back
keen-edged desire to take her suppl
young body into his arms and kiss he
III till the scarlet ran into her cheek
Ilh like splashes Of wine.
q "You haven't the proper slant o
this, Sheba. Alaska is the last fror
tier. It's the dropping-off plac'
You're north Of fifty-three."
"Am l north Of the Ten Commant
ments?" she demanded with the ine1
orable judgment of youth. did 70
leave the moral code at home whe
- you came in over the iceT'
He smiled little. Morality is ii
>-c~c-n onr<3,,cA of <Io MN