Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1889-03-16

''Fll 60 over an see Mol" quo,h b,
as he made his way back to the cabin.
'I'll tell her Josh has gone, an when
she finds there's no hope of gettin' him.
az that Pm the sole owner Of the claim.
she'll say yes quick enough, reckon"
With these, and host Of other les,
pleasant thoughts rushing through his
chaotic mind he turned his steps to
ward tie settlement, and shortly after
ward was at Bill Bushnelrs cabin.
Mol was at home and readily accorded
the wooer an interview.
"No, my Lass said he. after few
preliminary words had been exchanged
between them, there's somethn'
a preyin' on my mind, an want to tell
you all about it. reckon you We got an
idea what I'm drivin' at, but I'm going
to ceme right out plain, an not be mis-
understood Josh an me hev both bin
lurty sweet on you for long time Mol,
an I'd spoken erbout it afore this if it
hadn't bln for kiLd o tread in on his
toes but Low that Josh has pulled up
stakes an struck out for other dig
gin's'---
''What is that you say Josh Field
has gone away" cried the girl Surely,
j, Tom you do not mean it,
Course he's gone, | thought you
| knowed it. He come TO me this mornin'
/ an, says he Tom, I'm sick O these
parts an am goin' to light out for other
diggin's. Buy out my share of the mine
an we'll call it quits. lie wouldn't say
no more, an, as he put a low fgger on
his half, I bought him out an he went
away. So you see lasse hein' sole
owner O. the mine now, can offer you a
purity scrumptous sort o home. Will
you hitch with me, Mol"
But Josh might come back
''Deuce take Josh" cried Tom, impa-
patiently. lie was no great shucks
anyhow, an don't see what you want
O nm | love you a hundred times
more'n he did, an I'd make you blame
sight happier than that onery chap
'But | always thought great deal of
m, Tom
'Yes, l reckon so; a plagued sight
more he did O. you, or he wouldn't hev
skinned out 50 suddent without even
sayn' good bye to you. 'Twixt me an
you, Mol, / reckon .Josh's' conscience
wasn't altogether easy, for chap as has
been criminal back in the States is apt
to be Jest little skerrish-'
Just at that iuncture there was step
heard in the inner room of the cabin, and
moment later familiar voice rang out
through the open door:
"IIold on, Tom Willis, ! con stand
, about as much as emmy bein, but that's a
S lie Tll take from no man"
Tom started violently, and turned q
terrified face toward the door
Pefore him, with his head swathed in
t bandages, and supporting his trembling
; form against the door-facing, stood nc
other than Josh Fields.
"lou see. amt quite as dead as ye
took me to be, Tom Willis, continued
he, casting a contemptuous look upon the
covering wretch 1t happened that
when you doused me in the old shaft
the water broucht me to my senses. an
after a little, | was strong enough t
crawl out an drag myself here. Mo
, has already promised to be my wife, an
e as | don't care fur more'n one partner
!, YOU can take the trail fur other part
d hfore your crime is found out. Here's
d few ounces O dust" added he, fingn:
him a buckskin bag of god, IAN ad
e wise We not to be found in camp to NOR
|, row mornn'. or yc may he treated to
:, dose o hcmn"
Tom sncaked OF only too glad to es
Ie cape thus ehtly, and, lhough Josh al
le Bill Eu>hnelI's lass have been partner
d FOR many long, happy years. neither hav
! ever heard Of he would be murderer. :
70 In.A BLtd.