The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1918-04-19


timber above the trail, and without a
word he swung his team from the path.
"Where are you going" demanded
Macdonald.
"Going to rest for an hour" was FL
lots curt answer.
Macdonald's jaw clamped. He strobe
forward through the snow beside the
trail. "We'll see about that"
The younger man faced him angrily.
"Can't you see she is done, man? There
is not another mile Of travel in her I'M
til she has rested"
The hard, gray eyes Of the Alaskan
took in, the slender, weary figure lean
ling against the sled. On soft and
mushy trail like this, where every
footstep punched hole in the loose
snow, the dogs could not traved with
any extra weight. A few miles farther
down they would come to main-trav-
eled road and the going would be bet
ter. But till then she must walk. Mac.
donald gave way with gesture OF his
hand and turned on his heel.
| Az IuO SuCOo oAAOu hSA
mukluks, stockings, caribou mitts and
short skirts. Too tired to eat, she
forced herself to swallow few bites
and drank eagerly some tea. Gordon
had brought blankets from the sled
and he persuaded her to lie down FOR
few minutes.
you'll call me soon If should
Sleep" she said drowsily, and her eyes
were closed almost before the words
were off her lips.
When Macdonald came to order the
start half an hour later, she was still
asleep. "Give her another thirty min
utes," he said gruffiy.
Youth is resilient. Sheba awoke
rested and ready for work.
While Gordon was untangling the
dogs she was left alone for minute
with the mine-owner.
The hungry look in his eyes touched
her. Impulsively she held out hel
hand.
8. you're going to be fair, aren't you
Mr.. Macdonald? Because you-don'l
like him-you WON'T"
He looked straight into the dark
appealing eyes. 'Tm going to be fail
to Robert Milton" he told her harsh
ly. 'Tm going to see his murderers
hanged, if it costs me every dollar
have in the world"
"None of us objects to justice" sht
told him proudly. Gordon has moth
ing to fear if only the truth is told"
"Then why come to me?" he de
handed.
She hesitated; then with wistfu
little smile, spoke what was in hel
heart 'Tm afraid you won't do jus
tice to yourself. You're good-ant
brave-and strong. But you're yer!
willful and set. I don't want to los,
my friend. I want to know that he ii
all 1 have believed him-a great maj
who stands for the things that are fin,
and clean and just"
"Then it is for my sake and not TO
his that you want me to drop the cas-
against Elliott" he asked ironically.
"For yours and for his, too. 70,
can't hurt him. Nobody can really b.
hurt from outside-not unless he is
traitor to himself. And Gordon Ellio
isn't that. He couldn't do such
thing as this with which you charg
him. 1t Is not in his nature. He cal
explain everything"
II don't doubt that. He and hi
friend Holt are great little explainers.
In spite of his bitterness Sheba fel
change in him. She seemed t
: have glimpse of his turbid soul er
gagged in battle. He turned away with
out shaking hands, but 1t struck he
/ that he was not implacable.
While they were at luncheon half
, dozen packmules laden with supple
i for a telephone construction line ou
!. fit had passed. Their small, sharp-sho
! hoofs had punched sink-holes in til
! trail at every step. Instead of
! smooth bottom the dogs found
slushy bog cut to pieces.
= At the end of an hour of wallowin
] Macdonald called a halt.
"Thare is Il cutoff just below s.t.,e