Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-06-21
CHAPTER xxl-Continued.


mittee of the whole to decide what
best to be done. Gordon noticed
81, in all the tentative suggestions
q ne by Holt and saltwater the
Ezfort Of Sheba was the first thing
Esznind.
khe girl, 700, noticed it and smil-
I#Ny protested, her soft hand lying
1.-THE moment on the gnarled one OF
~ old miner.
E doesn't matter about me. We
ID think Of what will be best for
WzzA%)lt, of how to get him TO the
#-w care. My comfort can wait"
We plan at last decided upon was
~ /Gordon should make dash for
MA is Crossing on snowshoes, where
MNSs to arrange for a relief party 10
- out for the injured man and Mrs.
V1n. He was to return at once with
waiting for the rescuers. Next
ming he and Sheba would start
arh Hollis dog team for Kusiak.
macdonald had taught Sheba how to
~ snowshoes and she had been an
pupil. From her suitcase she got
her moccasins and put them on.
borrowed the snowshoes Of Holt,
apped herself in her parka. and an
lnced that she was going with FL
part of the way.
Gordon thought her movements a
facle Of supple lightness. Her lines
the swelling roundness of vital
nth. her eyes were alive with the
Eerness that time dulls in most
hes. They spoke little as they swept
tward over the white snow wastes.
e spell Of the great North was over
r. Its mystery was stirring in her
art, Just as 1t had been when her
s had turned to his at the sunrise.
flor him, love ran through his veins
g old wine. But he allowed his feel
g no expression. For though she
come to him of her own accord for
one blessed minute at dawn, he
not be sure what had moved her
eeply. She was treading a world
heval. the wonder of 1t still in her
eyes. Would she waken to love
b disillusi0R?
cook to see that she did
tire. fiy3ntly he stopped and
6sd out his hand to say good-by.
."will you come back this wayT she
, iked.
Eyes. ought to get here soon after
irk. Will you meet me?"
She gave him q quick, shy little nod,
irned without shaking hands. and
ruck out for the cabin. All through
re day happiness flooded her heart.
lille she waited on Holt or helped
Irs. Olson cook or watched Swiftwa-
,r>Kblle he put up the tent in the lee
the cabin, little snatches of song
ibbled from her lips. Sometimes
.ey were bits Of old Irish ballads that
-,pped into her mind. Once, while
ie was preparing some coffee for her
atient, II was q stanza from Burns:
TIN q the ssas gang dry. my dear.
And the rocks melt WI the sun:
Z will love thee still. my Dear.
While the sands o. life shall run.
She caught old Gideon looking at
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 present
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."
III you talk nonsense like that I'll
30 out and talk to Mr.. saltwater
Pete." she threatened, blushing.
Old Gid folded his hands meekly.
It'll be good-honest I will. Let's see.
got to make safe and sane CONVERSE
don. have II HIM! Wonder when that
lazy. long-legged. good-for-nothing
and holdup that calls him.
self Gordon Elliot will get back to
camp"
Sheba looked into his twinkling eyes
as she handed him his
coffee. For a moment she bit her lip
70 keep back q smile. then said with
mock severity:
SNOW. am going to leave you to
Mrs. Olson"
When sunset came It found Sheba
on the trail. saltwater Pete had Of
fered to 90 with her. but she had been
relieved Of his well-meant kindness by
the demand Of Holt.
"No. you don't. Pete. You amt
aEoin' OF gallivantin' with no young
lady. You're a-goin' to stay here and
Ak my game leg for me. What do you
reckon Miss Sheba wants with a fat,
lop-sided lummox like you along with
herr
Pete grew purple with embarrass-
meut. He had not Intended anything
more than civility and he wanted this
"Hmp! Amt you got no sense
a-tall. Gid? If Miss Sheba's bent on
gotn' to meet Elliot. I allowed some one
ought to 50 along and keep the dark
ofen her. Course there amt nothin'
going to harm her. unless she goes and
gets lost"
Sheba's smile cooled the heat Of the
stage driver. which she isn't going
to do. Good Of you to offer to go with
me. Don't mind Mr.. Holt. Everybody
knows he doesn't mean half Of what
he says. I'd be glad to have you come
with me. but It isn't necessary at all.
So I'll not trouble you"
Darkness fell quickly. but Sheba still
held to the trail. There was no sign
OF Elliot. but she felt sure he would
come soon. Meanwhile she followed
steadily the tracks he had made ear