Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1904-05-20

open ravine which wound
TX III away toward the foot of
the mountain. There was
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 homespun
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.
1t was late in the afternoon, and as
Nance called the hogs a great crowd of
them came galloping up the hill to
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 as its
waters tumbled over the ragged
powders that marked it's 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 making she sud-
denly felt an arm placed about her.
Whirling around she found herself in
the embrace of a tall 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
Won't you kiss me, Nance?' asked
the young man, eagerly.
mo, l won't. You didn't have apy
business to scare me, that's what you
didn't"
Zeb released her and stood back.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Nance again stood holding the top
rail Of the fence, and was gazing way
down the ravine. Zeb stood a few feet
away, with his eyes turned toward the
ground. At last he spoke:
Nance, I'm powerful sorry l 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 moment, during which
he cautiously raised his eyes to level
with the back of Nance's head.
II got that strip of land paid for
last Saturday; and-and I've got
enough left to build a house on it.
Nance"
Still no reply.
Wages are better than they have
been," he went on, land 1 thought we
might as well get married now. That's
what I've come to see about. Nance.
I think we've waited about long
enough"
Silence still. Zeb sat down on an old
stump near by and waited a long while
Finally he rose again and gazed up at
the sky all around.
From the looks of the sky the river'll
be high enough to float logs in the
morning" he said, thrusting his hands
down into the pockets of his pantaloons
and striving hard to clear a strange
huskiness from his voice.
They're putting in machinery down
at Dillsboro to start up a locust pin
factory, Nance. Reckon 1 could get a
good many locust blocks off of that
piece of land I've bought"
Again Zeb's vision wandered toward
Nance, but she still stood motionless
by the fence. her long hair waving
gently in the light breeze that was stir
ring. And the longer Zeb gazed upon
the woman he loved the fuller grew his
bosom. until he could no longer with
stand the pressure; and his words were
almost in the tone Of wall as he sank
back upon the old stump:
"Oh, Nance. amt you ever a'goin' to
say anything?'
Nance continued as immovable as be-
fore. At last Zeb replaced his big hat
upon his head and arose.
Il know what's the matter. Nance
he said. II can see it all now. Pole
Dorsey's been a-comin' to see you of
late; and-yes-I can see it now, Nance;
you don't love me any more
Zeb paused to steady his voice, which
had grown little husky
Nance" he continued. sd a died
for you any time, and l thought you
would have loved me right on, Nance,
right on. But how'll can't say any
more. Good-by, Nance
He turned and walked toward the
road. But he. had only gone a few
steps when he turned and came back
again, going close up to Nance, where
he stopped moment. Then he spoke:
Before l go, Nance, won't you tell
me, fair and square, is it me or Pole? p
There was no answer.
Never mind. then; l know that yau
just hate to tell me that you don't love
me any more, and / won't make you.
Once more. Nance, good-by."
He stealthily lifted a wisp of her long
hair and fervently pressed it to his
lips, then walked rapidly away. Nance
heard the sound of his footsteps grow
ing fainter and fainter as be ascended
the hard roadbed which turned over
the hill just above the cabin. Finally
she looked around. Zeb was just dis
appearing beyond the turn in the
road, and to Nance it suddenly oc-
CURED that he might never return. A
| scared look cama iutn@ her avaS ord