The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-01-01

mont all were huddlcd around the
| earthen Fireplace which did duty at ono
end of tho cabin for cooking and heat
ing purposes. Zeb began picking up
some papers to light fro. Suddenly
no stopped, and, faint and weak as he
was from his recent Illness, he looked
almost gbostly in his trepidation.
"Did-did-any of-you- fellers bring
this hcre?' he asked, slowly. and with
terrible distinctncss.
All shook their heads, crowdlng around
to see the object in question which he
held in his hand. 1t was Il country
newspaper published at an interior Ken
lucky town. and he was pointing to an
address label on the margin. 1t read:
'IIaniford, Mary Elan. I. 50"
''Thc camper must hcv left it here"
Zcb muttcrcd rs if speaking to himself
81 thought sho was dead years ago, an
this is only two months old. Boys" no
exclaimed. with a sudden burst of ener-
gy, 'wc must catch that camper"
NO, Zch, VIC can't now; tho storms
gittin' too bad replied Mangcl Tho
frame OF tho little cabin Sinking in the
wind seemed to emphasize his state
mcnt.
81 say VIC must was Zcb's response.
''Shc may DO along-who llnows?' He
strodc through tho door and vanished in
the sloet clouds without.
"llc mustn't go like that. hin, sick so
an all" spoke T. oop-sho'llicrcd Yer
montcr known as McNasil.
''kcrrcct, but VOL all perish in this
blizzard cf we follow him. don't know
ca we kin git home anyhow" replied
Mangcl. "Iit we'll try" he concluded,
leading the way TO the bunch OF ponies
outside.
Icb was :; spccll on tho south bound
wagon trail, and they raced with tho
wind toward him.
"All tn wagin's goes this way" he
Numbered above tho noise ot tho storm
when they had ovcrtakcn him.
They spread far apart and gallopod
on. Deb led them. He seemed TO have
an uncrring instinct that was taking
him to the object of his search.
And 1T was q true one, for as thcy
dashed down slope into ono OF those
draws or ravincs, tina. cross tho roll
ing prairics i'll every direction they
came Oh trnvcl-staincd prairie
schooner, or covered wagon, seeking
shelter behind q struggling group OF
sunilowcrs while-a team was shivcrinr
just beyond.
Zcb lcapcd from his painting calouse
and threw back tho curtains that closed
the end of the wagons covering.
For an instant his eyes were unable
to pierce the scmi-darincss and then he
saw the ill-dcfncd figures of an elderly
, man and woman.
Half dazcd, they sat up.
Mary" called Zcb, feeling rather
/ than seeing that his hearts wish was
realized.
Her answer was not dist;nguishable
but in moment tho rcscucr was inside
/ tho wagon, chatting her numbcd hands,
while the others wcro doing like serv-
ice for tho father.
I'VE must git back to tn cabin, boys"
said Zrb. wen freeze here. They're
half frozc. now"
''-All OF us cant stay thar" spoke UP
the Ncrmontcr. "Mangcl kin help sc,
an tn rest OF us'll slope fer our shan
tics"
This was agreed to, and before tho
ponies and their riders were entirely
out of sight over the bluff, Xcb was driv-
Ing tho team Of tho campers 1T Il rafting
pace toward his claim.
1t was two days before Mangcl could
return home. but life was not unplcas-
ant III the cabin with tho campers stores
Cor rations. And then 10 SEQ Zcb's hap
piness was something.
Just to think. Zcb," said Mary, as
they werc bidding Mangcl good bye.
that for ten years | had thought you
as good rs dead and you were certain
that | was-nnd to find me and father
on the way TO brother Tom; as you did
1T is like Il novel;
Only amt quite so pretty o. used
to be- put in Xcb.
"Whilo ! am an old maid of-wcll. ]
won't tell how many years" laughed