The Snowflake herald., 1918-06-07

CndpIer AA111 OOntAnucu
For some time Gordon's eye had
been seeking a good place for day
camp. He found it in bit of open
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.
Cant you see she is done, man? There
is not another mile of travel in her un-
til she has rested"
The hard, gray eyes Of the Alaskan
took in the slender, weary figure lean
ing against the sled On a 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 a main-trav-
eled road and the going would be bet
donald gave way with gesture of his
hand and turned on his heel.
At the campfire Sheba dried her
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
q 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 grufly.
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 her
hand.
y
Mr.. Macdonald? Because you-don'r
like him-yOu won't"
He looked straight into the dark.
appealing eyes. "Tm going to be fair
to Robert Milton" he told her harsh
ly. "I'm going to see his murdererS
hanged if it costs me every dollar
have in the world"
Of oh fn iI1cfi0n - chn
told him proudly. Gordon has moth
ing to fear if only the truth is told"
"Then why come to me" he de-
manded.
She hesitated; then with a wistful
little smile, spoke what was in her
heart. "Pm afraid you won't do JUS
tice to yourself. You're goOd-and
brave-and strong. But you're very
willful and set. I don't want to lose
my friend. / want to know that he is
all 1 have believed him-a great man
who stands for the things that are fine
and clean and just"
'Then it is for my sake and not for
his that you want me to drop the case
against Elliott" he asked ironically.
For yours and for his, too. You
can't hurt him. Nobody can really be
hurt from Outside-nOt unless he is a
traitor to himself. And Gordon Elliot
isn't that. He couldn't do such a
thing as this with which you charge
him. 1t is not in his nature. He can
explain everything"
"I don't doubt that. He and his
friend Holt are great little explainers."
In spite of his bitterness Sheba felt
change in him. She seemed to
have glimpse of his turbid soul en-
gagged in battle. He turned away with
out shaking hands, but it struck her
that he was not implacable.
While they were at luncheon half a
dozen packmuleS laden with supplies
for a telephone construction line out
fit had passed. Their small, sharp-shod
hOofs had punched sink-holes in the
trail at every step. Instead of
smooth bottom the dogs found q
slushy bog cut to pieces.
At the end of an hour Of wallowing
Macdonald called a halt.
"There Is a cutoff just below here.
1t will save us nearly two miles, but
Wen have to break trail Swing to the
right just below the big willow" he
told Elliot. "I'll join you presently
and relieve you on the job. But first
Miss O'Neill and are going for lit
tie side trip"
All three of them looked at him In
sharp surprise. Gordon opened his
lips to answer and closed them again
without speaking. Sheba had flashed
warning to him.
II hope this trip isn't very far off
the trail," she said quietly. "Pm just
a wee bit tired"
"It's not far" the mine-owner said
curtly.
He was busy unpacking his sled.
Presently he found the dog moccasins