The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-06-06

of Elliot, but she felt sure he would
come soon. Meanwhile she followed
steadily the tracks he had made ear
lier In the day.
She stopped at last. It was getting
much colder. She was miles from the
camp. Reluctantly she decided to re-
turn. Then, out Of the darkness ne
came abruptly upon her, the man
whom she had come out to meet.
Under the magic Of the Northern
stars they found themselves again In
each others arms for that brief mo-
ment of joyful surprise. Then. a. 1t
had been In the morning. Sheba drew
herself shyiy away.
"They are waiting supper for rs"
she told him irrelevantly.
He did not shout out his happiness
and tell her to let them walt. For
Gordon. too. felt awed at this wonder
full adventure of love that had befal-
len them. It was enough for him that
they were moving side by side, alone
in the deep SHOWS and the biting cold.
that waves of emotion crashed through
his pulses when his swinging hand
touched hers.
Theytwere acutely conscious Of each
other. Excitement burned in the eyes
that turned to swift. reluctant
meetings. She was . woman, and he
was her lover. Neither Of them dared
quite accept the fact yet. but 1t filled
the background Of all their thoughts
with delight.
Sheba did not want to talk Of this
new. amazing thing that had come into
her life. It was too sacred q subject
to discuss Just yet even with him. SO
she began to tell him odd fancies from
childhood. that fingered In her Celtic
heart. tales Of the 'little folk" that
were half memories and half imagin-
ings, stirred to life BY some old asso-
citation Of sky and starr. She laughed
softly at herself ~ she told them. but
Gordon did not laugh at her.
Everything she did was for him d.
vinely done. Even when his eyes were
ON the dark trail ahead he saw only
the dusky loveliness Of curved cheek,
the face luminous with q radiance
some women are never privileged to
know, the rhythm Of head and body
and slender legs that was part Of her
individual heaven-sent charm.
Tho rest finished supper before Cor.
don and Shsba reached camp. but Mrs..
Olson had Q hot meal waiting for them.
II nxed up the tent for the women
folks-stovA sleeping bags. plenty Of
wood. Touch q match to the IRE and
It'll be snug a. q bug In rug" ex-
plained Saltwater to Gordon.
Elliot and ShebA were to start early
for Kusiak and later the rescue party
would arrive to take care Of Holt and
Mrs. Olson.
"Tims to turn in." Holt advised.
"You better light that stove. Elliot"
The young man was still In the tent
arranging the sleeping bags when She
ba entered. He tried to walk out with
opt touching her. intending to call
back his goodnight. But he could not
do It. There was something fancy
about her tonight that went to his
head Her tender. tremulous little
smile and tho turn OF her buoyant
little head stirred In him . lovers
rhapsody.
'Tes to be q long trail We cover to-
morrow. Sheba. You must sleep. Good
night"
"Good night-Gordon."
There was q little fash Of audacity
In the Whimsical twist Of her mouth.
It was the nrst time she had ever
called him BY his given name.
Elliot threw away prudence and
caught her by the hands.
my dear-my dear l" he cried.
She trembled to his kiss, gave her
self to his embrace with innocent pas
sion. Tendrils Of hair, nne as silk.
brushed his cheeks and sent strange
thrills through him.
They talked the incoherent language
Of lovers that II compounded Of mur-
murs and silences and the touch Of
lips and the meetings Of eyes. There
were to be other nights in their lives
as rich in memories as this. but never
another with quite he same delight.
Presently Sheba reminded him with
a smile Of the long trail he had mem
toned. Mrs. Olson hustled into the tent,
and her presence stressed the point.
sGood night. neighbors," Gordon
called back from outside the tent.
sheba's ~Good night" echoed softly
back to him.
The girl fell asleep to the sound Of
the light breeze slapping the tent and
to the doleful bowling Of the huskies.