The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-02-12

coVery OF th's De'rayal oi her feelings. Har-
ry was enrapured, and could lose no more
time in the consummaton Of his scheme for
an interview. He applied for weeks leave
Of absence from his post, and thought the
two days that elapsed before he received q
favorable reply were at least two weeks.
He Immediately ndited polite and sensi-
bic note to Nelly, asking her permission to
gain an introduction to her family and pay
her visit. lie read the missiye over and
over again. but was satisfied with ii as il
stood, for it was worded naturally, simply
and respectfully.
Now that the moment approached for its
delivery, he was swayed with trembling
emotion, for he realized the fact that cri-
sis would be reached that was to be followed
by the dearest hopes or the rude dashing Of
them to the earth. On that trip he could
not let the note leave his grasp, but held il
in his hand all the time. only to be parted
from when it would fall at the feet Of her to
whom it was directed. Apprehension found
little room in his heart before the stronger
presence of hope, for would she, could she
callousIy spurn his respectful prayer after
having shown. despite herself. by thousand
/ little indications that he was not of indifer-
enee to her
Y The way station was passed, and the train
had just acquired full headway, when Hen
ry was aroused from blissful reyery by
shrill, piercing cry that seem to come from
beneath his very feet and curdled the blood
in his veins. The next moment came the
sharp signal from the steam whistle TO the
rear platform Of the baggage car. The
brake wheel flew round under his nervous
grasp until its chain was strained to its ut
most tension. Then, taking his place upon
the lowest step, he was the first one to leap
forward to the ground. Quickly recovering
from the momentum of the cars, he turned
and ran back along the track at the greatest
speed. A wild, indefinable terror rested
within his breast, and he dared not let him.
self think. Befure he had gone forty yards
he saw ahead Of him, lying just outside the
rail, and apparently with his head twisted
singularly around, the form of little boy.
His scarcely beating heart at once told him
who it was-Nelly Watson's little brother!
Oh God, that he could be mistaken! But
no. at every stride that he approached that
motionless form he identified still surer the
clothes and every other means of recogni-
ton, until sick at heart he closed his eyes
. for moment, although he still ran on
ward.
He was within three or four yards when
he opened his eyes again and looked be-
t fore him. Horror 1t was headless
trunk
A sudden faintness came upon him. lie
! stopped and staggered back, with his hands
{ clasped upon his eyes, scarcely able TO sup
port himself. A low moan broke from his
: lips, and il was the sound Of his own voice
that suddenly aroused all the strength OF ms
J spirit and the courage Of his heart. Again
! Ne advanced aud leaned over the little
corpse, while not a tear moistered his eye
, nor d muscle OF his features quiyered. Then
, arising, he walked further on until be saw
+ the severed head lying between the rails.
+ The clustering brown hair was dabbled IN
0 blood, and there was an expression ot curl-
ously mingled fear and pain upon the face,
, while the eyes we're open and CLASSY 10 the
stare OF death. Carefully, oh 50 tenderly
, he carried the head to where its body lay
, and wrapped them both up in his coat,
, which he took of for the purpose. Then ne
lifted the Dunulc III HIS arms ahu "14"S&
/ slowly toward the waiting train.
What is il, for Gods sake, what IS i Z"
cried several who now came up with him
i from the cars. They read in his stern 81
lence aud that implacable ixedness OF ex-
nression a rebuke to their idle curiosity
. which at once hushed them into an abashed
4 muteness. 80.
aBack the train down to the station," he
) said 10 the conductor and i was done, while
all The time he sat sternly, immovably sii emf
/. in the baggage car, with that fearful bundle
/ clasped in his arms.
4 Az the station he got out before a orowd
! of people. who had rapidly assembled TO dis
cover tLe cause Of such an unexpected return
If ,he train. He faced them aud enquircd
! " Does any one here know little boy nam
Cd Watson. who lives few miles along III,
n road Z"
! "Yes," quickly responded an old farmer
!. who had been eyeing the bundle with
/ strange apprehension, 81 know him we'll
and Ris old father and his sister Nelly
They live only half mile from my house