Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1901-10-17
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
!: THE RETURN. /:
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X LII through the hot July fore
~ noon movers outfit had
~ dragged slowly along the red,
sun-hardened road. When it
reached the top of a long hill it
swerved in under the shadow of some
trees and halted. A tall, broad
shouldered man clambered down from
the wagon, and was presently fol-
lowed by young woman in sunbon-
net and an old man who peered eager
ly from side to side. The mules were
embarrassed and fed, and two gaunt,
travel-weary cows united from be-
hind the wagon and turned loose to
Craze. Then the man took fishing
pole and started leisurely toward a
green line of bushes which could be
seen winding along in the distance;
the woman went into the woods to
gather fuel.
The old man watched them depart
with evident uneasiness. He loitered
about undecidedly, and at length
walked slowly down the road. A big
dog rose lazily and followed him.
The wagon was concealed from be-
low By an abrupt bend in the road.
Along this were dropping masses OF
chincapin bushes. The old man
paused near them and gazed wistfully
into the valley. Every building, field
and orchard passed successfully un-
der his gaze, and his dim old eyes
grew misty With loving recognition.
Presently he saw a horseman in the
| distance, and he looked at him curl
| Ously. After While his curiosity
| changed to interest, and then to ap-
| pTehension. AS the horseman came
slowly up the hill, he trembled vio-
| lently, and at last turned and hurried
| toward the wagon. AS he did so, the
dog sprang forward with loud barks
of suspicion and defiance
Suddenly there was sharp report
and 4 thin circle of smoke. rose hazily
into the air. AS it foated out over
| the chincapin bushes the horseman
came into View. There was a smile
Of amusement on his face, which in
stantly disappeared as he glanced to-
ward the wagon. Underneath it was
J the form of man.
With 4 startled exclamation the
lorseman threw himself from his sad
die and hurried toward the recumbent
figure. At the same moment the wo-
man emerged from the woods.
What's the matter?" she demanded
fiercely. 'Have you shot him:''
NO, no; I reckon not The man
rose and stood aside as she bent solic-
itously over the figure. He breathes
all right, and can find no trace. Of a
bullet" He paused "a moment, but
rs She did not speak, added deprecat-
ingly: ''You see, I only intended to
frighten the dog, and fired high
The old man groaned and threw
out his arms, as though to ward Of
something. The woman stroked his
head softly.
Il low he's all right she said
Hes beel this way considerable late
ly. Comm back to his old home has
made him sort O. ftifed, reckon
Hits the first time he's been rount
hyer in more'n thirty years.
did he live in this neighborhood y
Il reckon so. Pap amt been mucl
of hano to tell about his old home
Most we know is what we pick III
from words now and then, an from
his actions
DO you expect to settle here?''
The young woman did not seem t,
consider the question impertinent Th
stranger was tall and of commandin;
figure, and she evidently believed
him to be a person of consequence il
the neighborhood Possibly he owne,
the very land ON which they wer
camped.
"We all amt settled about tha
yet" she answered simply. I'VE al
like round hyer, an will stay if N
RI brother can git steady work I'd lik
r to on pap's account. He amt neve
, been satisfied in Ca'lina. Not that h
ever spoke O. comm back, 'cept in hi
: Sleep she added hastily. Pap ain
been complainin' man. We all ha
| time in getting him started FL
; seemed troubled about somethin' al
! we had to persuade an persuade for
he'd give in"
Here the old man opened his eys
and stared around Questioningly. A