The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-09-15

| Six years had slipped away. Nance
Hooper still lived with her father in the
cabin on the side of the mountain. She
still went out each evening to call the
hogs at the head Of the rayine, and in
her heart she still lived the old love and
deep regret. Zcb Norton had never been
heard of since his sudden disappearance.
| Gold had been discovered on the Tucka-
| siege, and the community was wild with
excitement. But what seemed unfortu-
nate to the pr0SpectOrs was that the rich
vein had been discovered on land belong
| ing to one Zeb Norton, whose where
abouts were unknown. They feared to
proceed with mining operations without
| first having secured a lease of some kind,
and since this could not be obtained from
the owner the enterprise was at a stand
still.
Half year passed by. One day
passenger stepped from the morning train
! which stopped at Dollsboro and stood
with his hands rammed down into his
pockets. He was dressed in the style of
westerner. wide shrimmed sombrero
rested on his head, and a heavy brown
mustache ornamental his upper lip. For
n moment he gazed all around him.
ITS not exactly like it used to be,
though it amt much changed either" he
muttered as he picked up his valise and
walked toward a little boarding house
few yards away. 1t was noon, and the
traveller was hungry. Meeting the land.
lady at the entrance, he gave her d 30
cent piece and asked the way to the
dining room.
After dining the stranger spent several
hours in wandering about the village.
Al Dftnrnnnn hn L.
vallse on stout staff, which he rested
on his shoulder and set off up the river
road afOot. Ever and anon, as he tramp.
ed along the highway he would stop at
some high point and gaze away across
the hills and valleys.
Just like they used to be. all just the
same" he would usually mutter, as he
turned away and continued his journey.
At last he reached the highest point in
the road where it turned down the noun.
tain on the other side toward the river.
Just the same" he said. There's not
even a change in the road. Wonder if
Mark Hooper lives there yet" he con.
tinued as he looked toward the cabin off
to the right.
little farther along he turned away
from the road and walked slowly down to
he seated himself on an old, fast decay.
ing stump. allowing the staff and the
valise to catelessly slip from his shout
ders. Then. pushing his Sombrero back
upon his head he locked his fingers across
his knee and gaZed away through the
opening over the ravine. 1t was almost
shutdown. and there were a few clouds in
the sky.
I'm hn ho
after Il few moments silence. Every
thing just as it was. | wonder If Nance
diA"-
He closed his lips tightly against fur
Their utterance. There seemed to be sud
den breaking loose of something which
had been long tied up in his breast.
At last he rose, and, shouldering his
staff and valise. started back to the road
And just as he turned his back toward
the cabin Nance came out with her apron
full of vegetables for the hogs. and came
on slowly down the path toward the
fence.
The traveller. who had walked on with
out looking backward. had scarcely dis
appeared beyond turn in the road when
his ears caught the sounds:
Pig pis-pig-oo-eh" as Nance called
the hogs.
Again the staff and valise slipped from
his shoulder. and, with his hands ram.
med down into his pockets, he listened.
while his heart beat heavily against his
breast.
At last he turned about and slowly
retraced his steps. leaving his baggage
where it had fallen in the middle of the
road. He approached within few feet
of nance before he stopped. Then. steady
Ing his voice Us well rs he could, he called
her name.
Nance suddenly turned about and gaZ.
ed upon the tall form of the wcsterner.
Then, bursting into tears. she dropped
her apron and impulsively sprang toward
him.
"Oh. Zebr' she cried through her tears.
~ didn't mean it: you know ! didn't.
Oh. why did you go away?'
Zeb caught her in his arms, and for u
few moments there was sweet silence.
Nance" said Zeb at last, II never
could think of loving anybody but you.
But when | came back to look after that
gold mine | didn't expect to find such Il
jewel as. this waiting for me. 1t appears
like am mighty rich all of sudden"
Amt half as rich as am now, Ieb.
for I've got you back again." and. reach.
ing up. she took his rough cheeks between
her palms and kissed him under his big
mustache.--Chicago Record.