Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1883-03-24

the feeding, washing and dressing of
the kid" as he had already christ
ened it, a source of ever-increasing de-
Light. At the end of that time, hav-
ing the broken bracelet carefully
slowed away in his saddle-bags, Sandy
mounted his horse, and, taking the
kid" in his arms, left the scene of
the massacre never to see it again.
x \ x
What wonderful change sixteen
years make in men and women. The
g ossy brown hair may have become
thin in that time, and on the once
smooth face time may print more than
one fine wrinkle tellingo of the deep fur
rows to come. Sixteen years have
somewhat whitened Sandy McGovern's
hair and his figure is more portly than
it was when he rode away from the
Sc enc of the desert massacre. And six
teen years have Transformed the "kid"
into tall stalwart lad of eighteen, full
of health and strength. Robert Nc
Govern, as Sandy had called the baby
ne found in the old wagon-box, looked
magnificently as he rode up to the
house. crossing the little stream in one
easy leap of his horse For the sixteen
years had brought wealth to Sandy
with the gray hairs. 1t really seemed
as if everything he touched prospered
after he rescued the baby. He
made more money in trapping that
year than he had in any two beforel
He got contracts to supply the stage
line with horses and made money out
of them. He bought a share in a
claim for almost nothing, and it turned
out to be enormously rich. LUCKY
Sandy" as he was called, began to he
noted for his uniform success. Finally
he turned his attention to cattle, and
purchasing a large tract of land,
stocked it and became ranchero. He
placed the "kid " at school as soon as
he was old enough to go, and after
giving him good education, brought
him home to live on the ranch and
learn to manage it.
Father" said Bob (Sandy never
called him "kid unless they were by
themselves). there's a party down
there on the road and the stage has
broken down. l told them I'd ride up
here and send wagon down to bring
them up. | said you'd be glad to have
them as long as they'd stay"
"That's right, my boy; of course
we're glad to have 'em. Here you,
Pedro. harness up an go down to the
road. Bring up all the passengers on
the coach. How many is there of
them. B0by
"Five in all. There's the prettiest
girl, father, you ever saw, an old lady
who kept looking at me. and three
gentlemen"
:" Well. my boy, we'll try and make
'em comfortable You better go an
see bout rooms being got ready for
'em, an I'll ride down to bring 'em
up"
Bob dismounted, and, throwing the
bridle-rein over the hitching-pOst,
walked into the house.
Saady.looked after him, and mutter
ing to himself, d" L declar' that boy gets
better every day." prepared to ride
down to the rescue of the passengers.
1t was not long before the whole party
reached the house, glad enough for the
chance of staying there until they
could go on with their journey. 1t
consisted of Mrs. Barnst9n and Mr..
Barnston, his niece, Miss Edith Hovee,
and two friends of theirs, Messrs.
James and Flynn. Sandy's welcome
was so cordial, and he was so unaf-
fectedly glad to see them, that all idea
of formality vanished, and before sup
per time the whole party had become
as familiar as old friends. Bob
seemed to get along very well with
Miss Edith, and while Sandy and
the other gentlemen chatted to-
gether, the young people talked
about anything and everything
that could furnish topic of converse
tion. Both Sandy and Bob noticed
that Mrs. BarnstOn was very silent.
and that she did not seem to be able to
keep her eyes off the young mans face.
She would look at him with half puz-
zled and most anxious expires sion until
she saw that she was noticed by the
others. when, with an effort, she would
ioin in the general conversation.
After supper the whole party went
out upon the piazza. when the men lit
their cigars and talked. At length
Sandy, who never missed a chance of
showing his boy off, called up Bob to
sing. and he at once, began, in beauti-
full tenor voice, some simple melody.
As he sang, Mrs. Barnston became
more nervous. until sudce lly starting
up. she hastily left the piazza. Her
husband followed her and after short
-....-.nl Turning IN Sandy