`` I could n't afford a chain too , but when I come back I 'll bring you a rope of Klondike nuggets for it . '' Then he had gone away . For two years letters had come from him regularly . Then he wrote that he had joined a prospecting party to a remote wilderness . After that was silence , deepening into anguish of suspense that finally ended in hopelessness . A rumour came that Donald Prentice was dead . None had returned from the expedition he had joined . Theodora had long ago given up all hope of ever seeing Donald again . Hence her locket was doubly dear to her . But Aunt Elizabeth had always been so good and loving and kind to her . Could she not make the sacrifice for her sake ? Yes , she could and would . Theodora flung up her head with a gesture that meant decision . She took out of the locket the bits of hair -- her mother 's and Donald 's -- which it contained -LRB- perhaps a tear or two fell as she did so -RRB- and then hastily donned her warmest cap and wraps . It was only three miles to Spencer ; she could easily walk it in an hour and , as it was Christmas Eve , the shops would be open late . She muse walk , for Ned could not be taken out again , and the mare 's foot was sore . Besides , Aunt Elizabeth must not know until it was done . As stealthily as if she were bound on some nefarious errand , Theodora slipped downstairs and out of the house . The next minute she was hurrying along the trail in the moonlight . The great dazzling prairie was around her , the mystery and splendour of the northern night all about her .
It was very calm and cold , but Theodora walked so briskly XXXXX she kept warm .
After Besides For about along as in that to until