Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-04-09

he. "You don't know when some are in
love, nor when they get jealous. Patty
told me once that"
"Told you, Zeke?''
"Tod mel" emphasized young Zebedee
"Well, that's queer, too; but go on. :
What did old Pemberton's girl tell you?''
Zeke, who was an overgrown country
youth, but not at all bad-looking, assumed
confidential air, calculated to impress his
single auditor.
''She told me that she didn't intend to
remain single always" be went on. "She
said she had several mighty good friends,
and among 'em she nsmed-who do you
think?"
"Doctor Lancet, the young chap who is
over yondsr looking for her now?"
mo! She mentioned young Mr.. Phillips
from the city"
"He's Molly's capture" was the retort.
"They're looking for him on the late train
tonight"
San it was to decorate his Thanksgiving
table With flowers that Patty went to the
woodsp'
Zeke's listener appeared dumbfounded
for moment.
1T isn't naturalp' said he at length,
ssTnere's all the difference in the world be-
tween the two girls. One like Patty
wouldn't strike fine chap like Phillips
Why, he's got money boarded up. they
say, and when he takes wife he wants one
with the rough edges polished little
Patty's diamond in the rough. Don't
tell me that Pembsrton's girl was jealous
of her sisters beau.'
Young Zebedee did not persist, although
it was evident that the argument had not
Of bo
went back to the search with opinions of
their own.
All night they piled the sorrowful search.
Lights were seen and voices were heard
along the turbulent creek, and messengers
from the different parties arrived at the
farm house from time to time.
The late train brought the Thanksgiving
guest from tho city. Young Mr.. Phillips
was Mortified at the situation. He had an.
ticipated the most enjoyable Thanksgiving
of his life, and to have his hopes dashed to
earth in this terrible manner was-well, he
could not dojustice to his feelings.
Thanksgiving Day dawned with the mys-
terry of Patty Pemberton's disappearance
still unsolved. The sun crept over the hill
tops, and birds seq sTeetly among the
boughs; and noSA.rg in nature told that an
awful calamity had fallen upon the neigh
borhood.
Mr.. Phillips had been one of the last to
come back from the well-hunted territory.
He had tramped the banks of the creek for
several miles, tearing his fine clothes on
stones and briers. He had forded it in
numerous places, to the utter ruination of
his stylish pantaloons, and at the end of his
hunt for the time he looked very unlike a
business man who would soon inherit a
fifty thousand from Midas-like uncle.
Zeke Zsbedee saw the young merchant
come back to the house in a most forlorn
condition. He was barely recognizable.
81 wish Jock could see i'm now," mur-
INJURED Zske. "He's been huntin' all night,
or ever since he came. Hasn't let up a
minute. I'll bet he goes back as soon's he
swallers bite Thar's pluck in that young
chap. He likes the gal what kin jump like
the COW jumped over the moon. That's
what be does!
Young Phillips said few words in q lew
tone to Miss Molly and her mother, emptied
a cup of coffee and started for the creek
again. AS he crossed the barnyard, which
was the shortest cut, ha encountered Zske
Zabedee, who evidently had been waiting
for him. The country youth showed signs
of his particip patton in the fruitless hunt for
Pemberson's girl; but he greeted Phillips
with q light sfGood mornin'," and was soon
at his side.
"Goin' back to it, eb?" calculated
.Zeke.
3 yes, don't see any reason for giving
up"
"Nearly all of 'em have gons home"
81 know it. Are you going to follow
them?'
Young Zebedee drew back and looked
halt resentfully at Phillips.
'sMe? Me-Zeke Zsbedee-quit the
hunt?" he exclaimed. "You'll find me
there till this mystery is solvsdw
Phillips put out his hand. It was soft
and small, and in moment was lost in
Zeke's giant palm. The two went across
the fields together. More than once Phil
lips caught his companion cycling him in a
uuizzical manner; but as often as caught
Zake would suddenly transfer his gaze to
other objects.
$50 they're goin' to have the turkey for
all, are they?" suddenly asked Zske.
81 don't know"
SAN Patty'e mince-pies, too?"
The young merchant looked sharply at
Zske.
sWho says SOP" he inquired.
"Old Pemberton. He don't know
whether his gals dead OR alive, but the
unsartainty amt goin' to interfere with the
Thanksgivn' dinner they were gettin' up
for you"
Phillips halted. They were in the heart
of the wood, through which rushed the
wild creek at its swiftest pace, and the
noise of the foamy current at times filled
their ears. The sunlight did not penetrate
to that spot, and the trees stood so thick
that one might easily conceal himself
among them.
There seemed to be an insinuation, not
unmixed with sarcasm, in Zeke's last SEN
tence; but it was not this that broke the
merchants tramp.
"They certainly won't co that" said he.
SIT wouldn't be right under the cireum-
stances"
sOld Pemberton didn't stop to think
He's got scheme in his head and an eye
to business. I wouldn't keer SO darned
mince pies! Patty baked 'em! You can't
step the feast by going back; so come
along"
Phillips felt Zeke's grip On his arm, and
in another moment he was dragged toward
the stream A change had suddenly come
over the country youth. He now looked
madIy at Phillips, but the young merchant
did not seem to take notice of it.
"Let's start in where I left off," said
Zeke when they had reached the high
banks of the creek.
'Just as you say" was the answer,
spoken almost mechanically.
The two went down to the water by
dangerous path. Here and there they we're
compelled to cling to the sharp cutting
edges of the rocks to accomplish their OBJ
ject, and once Phillips, who was ahead, al
most lost his footing. He could not help
thinking how easily it would be for Zske to
send him headIung to the bottom of the
gorge by slight push, for he had come to
look upon his companion as one not rightly
balanced in some things. Was Zeke in
love with Patty. ard did he think that bis
rigid search & ~ fsaant more than the
mere restoration Oh ceT to her parents?
Once Phillips thonght Of stopping midway
between cliff and current and telling him
the truth, but be sealed his lips and kept
on.
At the foot of the wall Zeke explained
4 A. IT, kI,ae IoI Fall