Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1905-08-03

Ths trout still continued to be TAX
en- rapidly; and so much engaged was
he that he took little note of how fast
the time was flying.
But at last, when the sun could no
longer be seen in the gorge through
which the stream ran, he suddenly be-
thought himself that it was time for
him to be turning homeward.
So he hurried out of the stream, and
doing up his fishing tackle, he started
off for his cabin.
It was almost sunset now, and he
knew he would not reach his home
much before dark. But he would not
be obliged to follow the stream down.
It made several bends, which by cut
ting across he could shorten. the dis
| tance
He hurried along as fast as he was
able, but the dusky shadows of even
| ing began to gather around before he
reached the edge Of his clearing.
Once or twice he had thought he
| heard some one calling, and now he
| recognized the voice of his WIFE She
was not at the cabin, but down by the
edge of the clearing that lay nearest
| the river.
He gave quick start when he heard
the burden of her cry. She was call
ing for the children, and the tone Of
ed at their absence.
He fastened toward the cabin, call
ing to her as he went. With a glad
cry she answered him, and in the
| deepening gloom he saw her hurrying
in the same direction.
what is it, Mary?" he cried, as she
came nearer.
F'The children are gone, and I can
not find them," she answered. 'T have
gone all about the clearing, but they
| are not here. l have called to them
over and over again. but received no
answer, except the echoes until
heard your voice."
Where can they have gomez"
81 know not, but fear some harm
has come to them
when did you see them 1ast?'
ut must have been more than an
hour ago. 1 was so busy at work that
I did not miss them until short time
ago."
What can have become of them?'
Il don't know, but I am almost
afraid that they have tried to follow
you"
He gave great start at these words
OF his wife, for he suddenly remem-
bered the tracks he had seen in the
sand. What If they had wandered up
along the stream and the panther
should discover them?
l. The thought sent a thrill of terror
to his heart, and his limbs trembled
from the agitation that shook his
frame. But it lasted only for a mo-
ment, and then he recovered his self
possession.
Rushing into the cabin, he took
down his rifle and was out again be-
side his wife in almost moments g
time. (Which way shall we go?" she
said
up the branch; they must have
gone that way. Robert wanted to go
with me when l started OUT
And he wanted to follow you some
time after you had started. 1t must be
that they have gone that way"
They hurried away toward the bank
OF the stream, where the darkness lay
thick beneath the thick branches of the
overhanging trees. There upon the
sand they sought for the footprints
OF the missing ones, but the gloom
was so great that they could distin-
gulsh nothing. In a little time, how
ever, the moon would be shining
brightly, for it was already rising
above the tree tops.
They called aloud, but the echoes
were the only answer that came back
save the sound of the dashing water
On they hurried along the rough
uneven way. At last they saw before
them patch of bright moonlight 1y-
ing on the sand, where it came down
throught a rift in the foliage
Here, alongside Of his own, the faith
er saw the footsteps of his children in
the sand
They were on the right trail then
Would Heaven save them from dan
} ger till they could clasp them in thei,
arms?
Only moment did they stop to ex
anime the footprints, and then they
hurried onward. Even now the pan