The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1918-03-08

with his chin In, the air. He was
knight Grant in the employ OF the
most attractive woman north OF fifty
three.
When Elliot took the down,river
boat he found Oliver Dustin was fell
low passenger. The little man smoked
an occasional cigar with the land agent
and aired his views on politics and at
fairs social. He left the boat at the
big bend.
Not till a week later did Elliot re-
turn up the river. He was asleep at
the time the Sarah passed the big
bend, but next morning he discovered
that Selfridge and Dustin had come
aboard during the night. In the after
noon he came upon real surprise
when he found Meteetse and her little
boy Colmac seated upon box on the
lower deck where freight for local
points was stored.
His guess was that they were local
passengers, but wharf after wharf
slipped behind them and the two still
remained on board. They appeared
to know nobody else on the Sarah,
though once Gordon met Dustin just as
he was hurrying away from the Indian
woman.
Meteetse transferred with the other
Kusiak passengers at the river juno
ton. The field agent was not the only
one on board who wondered where
she was going. Selfridge was con-
sumed with curiosity, and when she
and the boy got off at Kusiak, he could
restrain himself no longer. Gordon
saw Wally talking with her. Meteetse
showed him an envelope which evil
IDENTIFY had an address written upon 1t,
for the little man pointed out to her
the direction in which she must go.
Since leaving Kusiak nearly two
weeks before, no word had reached
Gordon of Sheba. As soon as he had
finished dinner at the hotel, he walked
out to the Paget house and sent in
| his card.
Sheba came into the hall to meet
him from the living room where she
had been sitting with the man she ex-
pected to marry next week. She gave
little murmur of pleasure at sight OF
him and held out both hands.
81 was afraid you weren't going to
get back in time. I'm so glad" she
told him warmly.
| He managed to achieve q smile.
"When is the great day."
| "Next Thursday. OF course we're
as busy as can be, but Diane says"
A ring at the door interrupted her.
Sheba stepped forward and let in an
Indian woman with little boy cling
ing to her hand.
"You Miss O'Neill?" she asked.
EYES,"
From the folds Of her shawl she
drew letter. The girl glanced at the
address, then opened and read what
was written. She looked up, puzzled
first at the comely, flat-footed Indian
woman and afterward at the handsome
little brown-faced papoose. She turned
to Gordon.
'This letter says I am to ask this
woman who is the father Of her boy
What does it mean?"
Gordon knew instantly what Il
meant, though he could not guess wht
had dealt the blow. The impulse tt
spare her pain was stronger in hin
than the desire that she should know
the truth.
"Send her away" he urged. Don
ask any questions. She has been sen
to hurt you"
A fawnlike fear flashed into the star
tied eyes. ITO hurt me?"
81 am afraid So"
"But-why? I have done nobod.
any HARM" She seemed to hold evel
her breathing in suspense.
perhaps some Of Macdonald's enc
miles, he suggested.
And at that there came a star-flasl
into the soft eyes and lifted tilt o
. the chin cut fine as cameo. Sh
turned proudly to the Indian woman
: "What is it that you have to tell m
about this boys father"
Meteetse began to speak. At tn
} first mention of Macdonald's nam
Sheba's eyes dilated. Her smile, he
/. sweet, glad pleasure at Gordon's arr
r val, were already gone like the fam
: of blown candle. Clearly her hear
t was a-fiutter, in fear of she knew nc
what. When the Indian woman tol
e how she had first crossed the path
g Macdonald, the color famed into tn
cheeks of the Irish girl, but as tn
: story progressed, the blood ebbe
l even from her lips.
With a swift movement Of her I'll
|. gers she flashed on the hall light He
gaze searched the brown, shiny face
d the little chap. She read there an a
! fidavit of the truth of his mother
q tale. It was impossible to see hi
and not recognize Colby Macdonald r
y incarnated.
T "What is your Manner asked Shet
{ suddenly.
e The youngster hung back shy
q among the folds of the Indian woman
e skirt. "Colmac," he said at last softl
Gomez Sheba flung open the dot
/ Of the living room and ushered the
l. in.
T. Macdonald, pacing restlessly up ar
e down the room during her absenc
a pulled up in his stride. He stood frow
II ing at the native woman, then his ey'
passed to Elliot and fastened upt
= him. The face of the Scotsman WI
:. grim as that Of a hanging judge.
: Gordon started to explain, the
: stopped with shrug. What was Il
- Use? The man would never belle
him in the world.
20 "Tn remember this" the Alasks
n promised his rival. There was co
10 glitter in his eyes, sudden flare