The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1873-11-15
SATURDAY M0Rl5trsaase. NOVEMBER Is. 1873

"I'm afraid you have overloaded your
self" hesaid pleasantly, butrespectfully;
"let me carry it for you"
SO, no, sir" in a low, musical voice,
with no touch of the mining dialect in
it.
so, yes" he persisted, and he took
the mass of sticks from her tired arms.
ISL was only taking them to the cabin, 4"
she said, passively Yielding, "aud that
is only step. But they were rather
heavy, | confess, and 1 am igreatly
obliged to you"
Acquaintances progress rapidly out
side the lettering lines of civilization
and besides, in the case of Weylaud and
Nell, each appreciated the unusual boon
of congenial society. They met freely
and quite naturally, almost daily. They
walked together, sang and talked, and
fell in loye, as either might have known
they would in the beginning.
Old Grip, now known to Weyland as
Robert Carter, was past fathoming, He
pleaded poverty on all of the few times
that Weyland conversed with him he
lived poorly, and did no work and he
seemed to take little notice of the
intimacy that had sprung up between
the young people. Indeed, Weyland
seldom saw him.
'"Fatber was once in affiuent circum-
Stances" Nell told her lover, "aud L was
carefully reared and educated: Then
q he lost his money, and came here to the
mines, hoping that good luck would
regain wealth for him ]; but ho did not
do we'll. He became morose and strange.
Indeed, sometimes think that his
reverscs have affected his mind He He
locks himself in a room in the cabin
nearly every day, and docs not allow me
to enter, or to know what he does thgrfi
Shes bare ssg4ast of esata. :. ~ 4
IS make him wjld5antt ifratiohsf. -.s''' J - !
. = ifsiinaily 'WTFeyiand asked tho fatl.eras
permission toma,ry Neil, and gained it
easily enough for he seemed to care very
little abuut it. The day was fixed for
the simple wedding, and the simpler
preparations proceeded without seemins
to awaken much suspicion in thc paren
tai breast He locked himself il his
room as usual, and paid no attention to
the matters which absorbed the young
peoples attention.
One day Weyland burst into the
cottage considerably excited.
"See, Nell, j" he said, throwing huge
nugget of almost solid natural gold Oh
the rude table 1--WE been worrying
because | had no bridal gift for you
Coming here through the canon found
tkis nugget-heavy, solid, yellow
monster he is, too-worth Thousand
dollars, at least"
A rich bridal gift, indeed, considering
the surroundings; aud Nell's eyes
spark]ed with delight as she gave her
lover kiss of thanks But the most
marked effect was upon Carter, whose
eyes seemed luzcd aud bewildercd by
the shiny nugget. After gazing at it in
a fascinated way for few moments, he
touched it caressiagly, aud finally hug
ged it to his bosom, as one would a
much loved child. The others watched
his movements curiously, but when he
saw their scrutiny, he seemed to master
his feelings by an effort.
Afterwards they talked Of other mat
ters, and then went out on an errand to
the shanty grocery, quarter Of a mil o
distant.
"That nugget is so valuable that am
afraid of robbery" said Carter, WHEN
they were alone, the strange light in his
eyes once more. "ho had better
socrete it,"
every WE'LL" asscntcd Weyland,
although nobody saw me find it."
"This way" said Carter, hugging the
heavy mass to his bosom again. owe
will hide it.
Wcyland followed him into the room
which he had always so zcalously guard
ed. 1t was bare and unfurnishod.
Going to q corner Cartor pulled up a
trap door,
"Follow me-" he said, first lighting a