The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-11-26

walk up and down the mounta1ns-you q
get lost nyhow if you tried" John said.
"Well, but I can't stay here. How far
is it to atelegraph station?"
NOW yon ask me what can't tell. I
know one thing, Jim Sands says there
isn't q wire standing. They've tried to
get word to Philadelphia and Pittsburg
and had to give it up. The countrys wild
back there in Sang Hollow"
John shook his head toward the noun
tain SIDE.
Rose drank her coffee in silence and
reflected. She ate another biscuit, and
by that time she felt strong enough to
undertake anything. She said as much.
The woman of the house laughed OF her.
NONSENSE! You can't do anything for
o day or two, till We get some way to
take you two to the river road. .Shat's
ALL"
But can't. I must not stay he:e. I
must get to the railroad"
You can't get back to Johnstown then,
said John. You're both welcome here
fo- weeks.
II shall walk to the nearest station to-
day." said Rosa. rasolntal1-
lou con do as you please, sail the
woman of the house, only you may as
we'll stay with US as 90 to another house.
If can reach the nearest station I
can find some way to get word 70 my
friends if I can't go to them. I must send
word to my friends"
She began to hope her husband was
living. 1t was like death to stay an hour
longer with these people, simply grand
and kindly as they had proved them
selves. John was hero IN common lie
his sister q woman who was ready to
rerform her duty at all times.
Lhe woman who ha,. lost her child.
.eaed to this with eyes shifting frorl ont
to the other.
well, i" said John, if you two are go.
together. But I'd rather you'd wait TIL
can find horse for you 10 ride-..you
might spell each other; it would be a
heap easier.
mo, no! We have given you sufficient
trouble-more than you can ever be re-
warded for now," said Rose. will you
give me your name, sir? l want to tail
Iny friends who saved NV l'ec
Sarah. Same name - never married
Neither Of US two married"
How are you two going to travel IN
them clothes?" Sarah asked.
II don't care what I wear-I want to 60
where I can send word to my friends.
That is all think Of now"
And want to 20 where there is news
coming. want to 60 where I can get
down the river to look for my dead baby.
It will be somewhere-I must find my
roor baby. I'll never rest till I find it,
said the mother, weeping afresh.
Cant YOU find them hats somewhere,
John? I'd give them my sunbonnet, only
how would they look with your old
clothes and any sort Of bonnets?"
Il guess can rake up an old straw hat
somewhere, Sairy-and there's another.
"No!" said Rose, resolutely. You
wore that in the house. 1t is all you
have"
mo, it isn't. I've another just as good.
Il want to see the other, then.
John was long time getting the other.
When he handed it to her he looked guilty.
A tinge of color rose in his wrinkled
cheeks. It was torn and battered.
This will do me very WELL" said Rose,
and she refused to take the best
BE you two going right now? wish
you wouldn't-you'll never find your
way"
"The power that has preserved our lives
will sustain US, Miss Franklin" said
Rose.
Now, tell us the nearest way to New
Florence"
John scratched his head. Il don't
know as you can do better-but it's awful
foolsh-than to keep right straight over
The hills. Don't 60 up to the top-you'll
have to travel bout halfway up. Back a
mile you'll strike Didbert's, and near
them is Dick Sands. Long a mile or 80
straight back-is Bob Sands and Jim.
Then you'll find plenty of farms for
awhile, but like as not there won't be q
horse or wagon, and the roads-nobody is
making much head-way on them now,
Everything's 80 torn up by this food"
Rose turned and kissed Sarah Franklin
on either cheek. Then she extended
hand to John. -.
-uood-py, ana may God reward you
until I can return sor-ething better than
words for all owe ycu."
'I--I-guess I'd better 20 along with
you two"
Rose shook her head Sarah kissed the
weeping mother, who also shook Johns
hand convulsively; then these two sus.
vivors of the food walked slowly but
resolutely mp the mountain side, while
John and Sarah Franklin stood watching
them.
And to think, Sairy, never thought
to ask them their names"
Never fret, John; the one with the
coat on will be sure to let you know who
she is, AID she will tell you all about the
one wearing your old red 'wamus.' l
wouldn't let the other 20 if the one you
took out Of the river didn't look like as
if she could take care ''e both"
TO BE CONTINUED