The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-07-23

btNu QlSCONeIe0 on q bo0N OF lana De-
longing to one Zeb Norton whose where
abouts were unknown. They feared to
proceed with mining operations without
having first secured a lease of some kind;
and since this could not he obtained from
the owner, the enteTpr Sc was at a stand
stjil.
Half a year passed by. one day pas
eenger stepped from the morning train
which stopped at Doilsboro, and stood
with his hands rammed down into his
pockets. He was dressed i'm the style of
n Westerner. wide brimmed sOmbrerO
rested on his head, and a heavy brown
mustache ornamented his upper lip. For
a moment he gazed all around him.
It's not exactly like it used to be,
though 1t amt much changed, either
he muttered as ne picked up his valise
and walked toward a little boarding house
a few yards away. Ii was noon, and the
traveller was hungry. Meeting the land
lady at the entrance, he gave her So
cent piece, and asked the way to the din
ing room.
After dining the stranger spent several
hours in wandering about the village. Late
in the afternoon he suspended his valse
on a stout staff which he rested on his
shoulder, and set off up the river road
afOot Ever and anon as he tramped
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 Il turned down the noun
tain on the other side toward the river
Just the same" he sad, there's not
even a change in the road. Wonder Il
Mark Hooper lives there yet" he contn-
ued as he looked toward the cabin off
to the right.
A little further along he turned away
from the road, and walked slowly down 10
where the fence crossed the ravine. Here
he seated himself on an old fast deCaying
stump, allowing the staff and valse 10
carelessly slip from his shoulder. Then
pushing his SOmbrero back upon his head
he locked his fingers across his knee, ana
sazed away through the opening over the
raNine. 1t was almost sund0Wn, ana
there We're q few clouds in the sky.
Just the same he muttered again. af-
ter a few moments silence; "everything
just like it was. I wonder if Nance did 80"
He closed his lips tightly against further
utterance. There seemed to be a sudden
breaking loose Of something which had
long been tied w in his breast.
AT last he arose. 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 disap-
peared beyond a turn in the road when his
ears caught the sound:
Pig pig pig-oo-eh" as Nance called the
hogs.
Again the staff and valise slipped from
his shoulder and with his hands rammed
down into his pockets. he listened while
has heart beat heavily against his breast
AT last he turned about and Slowly re-
traced his steps, leaving his baggage.
where it had fallen, in the middle of the
road. He approached within a few feet
of Nance before he stopped. Then, steady
ing his voice as wen as he could he cal
ed her name.
Nance suddenly turned about and gazed
upon The tan form If the Westerner Then,
bursting into tears, she dropped her apron
and impulsively sprang toward him.
oh Heb"' she cried, through her tears,
II DIDN'T mean it; you know l didn't! Oh,
why did YOU so away"
Zeb caught her in his arms, and for a
few moments there was sweet silence.
Nance" said Zeb a. last, Il never could
think Of loving anybody but you. But
when l came hack TO look after chat gold
mine, l didn't expect to find such a jewel
as this waiting for me. Ii appears like
am mishty rich all of a sudden"
Amt half as rich as l am now, Zeb.
for I've got you back again" and. reach
ing up She took his rough checks between
her palms, and kissed him under his big
moustache.