The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-05-05

a low rail fence across the head of the
.ravine few yards from the mountain
highway, and against this fence Nance
was leaning. A great mass of flowing
brown hair reached far down below
her waist, about which her homespur
frock was tucked into a large roll
thus shortening her skirts, in order
that she might move about more freely
Up to the right of the ravine was a
little log cabin where she lived.
It was late in the afternoon, and as
Nance called the hogs great crowd OF
them came galloping up the hill tc
scramble over the apronful Of vege.
tables which Nance threw over the
fence. From far down the ravine came
the roar Of the Tuckasiege River rs its
waters tumbled over the ragged
powders that marked its bed. With
her elbows on the fence and her chin
resting in her hands. Nance fingered to
listen to the roar Of the river while she
dreamed. Small clouds were gathering
in the sky all around, and the young
girls eye watched them slowly change
from one shape to another, forming to
her mind the outlines of various ami
mails and birds.
While Nance was thus lost in her
dreaming and picture-inaking she sud
denly felt an. arm placed about her.
Whirling around she found herself in
the embrace Of a tail young noun
taineer, who held her firmly about the
waist and was looking a world of ten
derneSs down into her eyes.
!: ''Oh, Zeb, how you scared me! Turn
me loose this minuter' cried Nance.
struggling to free herself At the
same time two bright tears came into
her eyes.
Wont you kiss me, Nance" asked
the young man, eagerly.
mo, I won't. You didn't lave any
business to scare me, that's what you
didn't
! Zeb released her and stood back.
For moment neither of them spoke
Nance again stood holding the top
rail of the ferce. and was gazing 6 way
down the ravine. Zeb stood few feet
away, with his eyes turned toward the
ground. AT last he spoke:
"Nance, I'm powerful sorry 1 scared
you"
The girl did not reply. There was
another long pause, after which Zeb
spoke again:
''Did big days work yesterday and
another one to-day, Nance. Put forty
five logs into the river, nearly all big
ones"
He waited 4 moment. during which
he cautiously raised his eyes to a level
with the back of Nance's head.
'I-I got that strip of land paid for
last Saturday: and-and I've got
enough left to build house on it,
Nance"
: Still 10 reply.
wages are better than they have
been," he went on, and I thought we
might as we'll get married now. That's
what I've come to see about. Nance
! think we've waited about long
enough"
Silence still. Ze5 sat down on an old
stump near by and waited long while
Finally he rose again and gazed up At
the sky all around.
From the looks of the sky the river'l
be high enough to float logs in the
morning." he said, thrustinS his hands
down into the pockets Of his pantaloons
and striving hard to clear strange
huskiness from his voice.
They're putting in machinery dow1
at Dillsboro to start up locust piI
factory, Nance. Reckon could get s
good many locust blocks off Of tha
piece of land I've bought"
Again Zeb's vision wandered toward
Nance, but she still stood motionles!
BY the fence, her long hair wavin:
gently in the light breeze that was stir
ring. And the longer Zeb gazed upol
the woman he loved the fuller grew hi
bosom, until he could no longer with
stand the pressure; and his words wer'
almost in the tone of 4 wall as he sanl
back upon the old stump:
"Oh, Nance. amt you ever a'goin' t
say anything?'
Nance continued as immovable as be
fore. At last Zeb replaced his big la
upon his head and arose.
II know what's the matter. Nance,
he said. 81 can see it all now. Pol
Dorsey's been a-comin' to see you o
late; and-yes-I can see it now, Nance
you don't love me any more"
Zeb paused to steady his voice, whic'
had grown little husky.
Nance" he continued. I'D die
for you any time. and I thought 20
would have loved nc right on. Nance
right on. But now-I-I can't say an
more. Good-by. Nance"
He turned and walked toward th
road. But he had only gone ie1
, steps when he turned anu came bac