West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1891-01-01

IL . urriur. and in n mo-
mcnt a.. as huddled around tho
esr,hen firc-plsce which did duty at one
end of the cabin FOR cooking and heat
ing purposes. Zeb began picking up
some papers TO light n fire. Suddenly
no stopped. and. faint and weak as he
was from his recent illness. he looked
almost ghostly in his trcpidation.
''Did-did-any of--you- fellers bring
this here?" he asked. slowly. and with
terrible distinctncss.
Ali shook their heads, crowding around
& to see tho object In question which no
held In his hand. It was u country
newspaper published at an interior Ken
tucky town, and he was pointing TO an
address label on the margin. II read:
"llaniford. Mary E.-Jan. I, 49,"
THE camper must hev left IL herc,-
Zcb muttcrcd rs IL speaking to himself.
81 thought she was dead years ago, an
this Is only two months old. Boys" he
exclaimed. with n sudden burst OF ener-
gy, ''we must catch that camper"
mo, Zeb. VIC can't now; the storms
gittin' too bad" replied Mangel. Tho
frame OF tho little cabin shaking in the
wind seemed to emphasize his state
mont.
81 say we must" was Zcb's response.
"Shc may be along-who knows?" lie
strobe through the door and vanished In
the sleet clouds without.
"lio mustn't go like that, him sick so
an all, spoke n stoop-shouldercd Yer
monter known as McNash.
"Kcrreot, but well all perish In this
blizzard cf we follow him. I don't know
l. yfw. IL
Mangel. "Iit we'll try" he concluded,
leading tho way TO the bunch OF ponies
outside.
Zeb was spcck on tho south bound
wagon trail. and they raced with the
wind toward him.
"All tn wasin's goes this way" no
Numbered above the noise OF tho storm
when they had overtaken him.
They spread far apart and galioped
on. Zcb led them. lie seemed TO have
an unerring instinct that was taking
him to tho object OF his search.
And IL was true one. for as they
dashed down slopo into ono OF those
draws" or ravines. that cross the roll
ing prairies In every direction they
camo on 4 travel stained prairie
schooner. or covered wagon. seeking
shelter Gchind straVgl.ny croup OF
sunnowcrs. while = team was shivering
just beyond.
Zeb leaped from his painting calouse
and threw back tho curtains that closed
the end OF the wagons covering.
For An instant his eyes wero unable
10 pierce tho semi and then he
saw tho ill-dchned figures OF an elderly
man and woman.
Half dazed. they sat up.
''Mary!" called Zcb, feeling rather
than seeing that his hearts wish was
realized.
Her answer was not disti- guishable
but In a moment the rescuer was inside
the wagon. cbafng her numbrd hands,
while the others were doing a like sory-
Ice for the father.
"We must git back TO tn cabin. boys"
said Zeb. "Well freeze here. They're
half froze, now"
"All OF us can't stay thar" spoke up
the Vermonter. "ManZel kin help We,
an tn rest OF us'll slope fer our shan
ties"
This was agreed TO, and before the
ponies and their riders were entirely
out OF sight over the bluff. Zeb was driv-
Ing tho team OF the campers at a rattling
pace toward his claim.
IL was two days before Mancel could
return home. but life was not unpleas-
ant in the cabin with the campers stores
for rztiOns. And then TO see Zeb's hap
piness was something.
Just TO think, Zeb," said Mary, as
they were bidding Mangel good bye.
that for,ten years I had thought you
that was-and TO End mo and father
on tho way 70 brother Toms as you did
1T Is like n novel"
'only ain't quite 80 pretty ez used
70 be-" put In Zeb.
while ] am an old maid of-well.
won't tell how many years" laughed