The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-06-15
Written for The Progressive Fdrmer.1
NELLO.
A WGSGTl North Carolina Story.
BY WALTER L. wOMBLE.
Author of "LOUe In the Mists " "AU But Lost, >
The Black Bracelet" "a HGrvest of
Wild Oats" Etc Etc.
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.

horror, then forgetful Of all else but
that the helpless girl was in the act of
being fouIly murdered, I sprang from
my hiding place, and with all the power
OF my right arm dealt the villain a
blow over the head with the butt of
my revolver that felled him to the
ground senseless.
The poor girl, more frightened than
hurt, uttered a faint cry, tottered
backward and would have fallen had
I not caught her in my arms. "Have
no fear" I said, leading her to
the fallen trunk of a tree near the
spring, upon which she sank faint and
trembling. Dipping my handkerchief
in the spring I gently bathed her face
and hands. This I REPEATED a few times,
then wringing it, tied it about her
bruised and swollen throat. During the
time she spoke not q word, but eyed me
with q bewildering, questioning gaze.
The cooling effect Of the water quieted
her nerves wonderfully, and in the
course of a couple of minutes, her
agitation had entirely disappeared.
The color returned to her cheeks, and
the luster to her beautiful eyes.
"Who are you9" she asked.
Harry Fontery, I answered, "your
friend"
She rose oher feet and leaned against
the lichen covered boulder that over
hung the spring. All, mel She was
beautiful-OhI so beautiful!
Eyes, you are my friend" she said,
after a few moments of silence; you
have proven that beyond a doubt
but who are you'll mean, where did
you come from and what do you want
hereG"
In as few words as possible, l ex
planned my sudden and unexpected ap-
pearance, and the object that had
brought me to the Pass; and, having
learned her sad history, that I would
mostly glad, if she wished, take her
away to a place of safety, and also do
all in my power to learn who her par
ents were and restore her to them.
She raised her clear eyes to mine,
and for & moment or two they rested
upon my face searchingIy; then she
held out her hand.
II will trust you," she said; II will
go with you. I cannot remain here
longer, if I do he pointing to where
the still unconscious m%oonshiner lay
will kill me-" She shuddered and
turned pale, as thoughts Of her recent
encounter with the william crossed her
mind.
lis he dead7" she whispered.
NO." I answered, "only stunned;
and without further delay I stepped
to the side of the stricken man, and in
a few minutes left him gagged and
securely bound. After again assuring
the maiden that she could trust
me implicitly, we left the Pass, and in
the course of an hour reached our tem-
porary headquarters, where the beauti
full girl created quite a sensation; but
on hearing her sad story, the sympa-
thies of all were awakened in her behalf,
and my action in the matter heartily
endorsed.
That night, with Nello as our guide,
we returned to the Pass, and by a &C.
cret way, pointed out to us by her, we
entered the Valley of the Silver
Moon, - Nick Stephenson's stronghold.
The m~oonshiners, though taken com
pletely unawares, fought desperately,
but to no purpose. The battle was
ours. "Old Nick" and his band were
at last in our power-thanks to
beautiful and fearless guide. While
none were killed, severel were badly
wounded, among the number being
Nick Stephenson himself.
We lost no time inreturning to Ashe-
vile, where the prisoners were safely
lodged i'm jail to await trial, and Nello
became an inmate Of my uncle's home.
The month that followed was an
eventful one. Many things happened,
the most important event being that of
my marriage with the beautiful noun
tain girl. We were happy-Ohl so
happyl In our blind infatuation, we
thought not of sorrow. We did not
dream that this vile monster could en-
ter our Eden and mar its perfect bliss.
No presentiment of coming evil cast it's
shadows before U.S.. But over our
heads it's somber wings were stretched
and as suddenly and unexpectedly
as q thunderboIt from a clear summers
sky the blow fell.
1t was just after tea. We were all