Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1909-07-01

there were five Of demonstrating
by the roadside as If not quite sure
Of their bearings. Presently they
came forward and disappeared be-
hind the high hedge.
A moment later Elinor saw them
at the gate. One Of them pointed to-
ward the house. Then the gate was
opened and they came up the path
way in single file.
It was quite evident they were
strangers. Elinor had time to in
spect them before they reached the
porch.
Four of them were rugged in APP
pearance, with weatherbeaten faces.
The fifth was younger and more slen-
der, and the sun had spared his white
skin. Elinor noted, too, that they
all wore soft hats. that their clothes
were Enthusiastically new, and then
they were clean shaven-and one CT
them carried a., box at his side.
For a moment she was alarmed.
Were these strangers the bearers of
bad tidings? She quickly arose and
stepped forward.
But, no, they we're smiling as they
halted and drew up in line. And
| then every hat came off as If at a con-
certed signal.
1t was the youngest man who
spoke.
Are you Miss Elinor Barnes?" he
asked with a little bow.
YES" the girl replied from the
top step.
The stout nan at the left of the
line looked around at his companions
and nodded.
Good" he said in a. deep voice
and with much salts action.
The man next to the stout man
nudged him sharply.
"Harvard's handlin' this, Scotty,"
he cautioned him.
The youngest a. spoke again.
1--WE are friends of the colonel,
from Montana, Miss Barnes"
She was down the steps in an in
slant.
From Montana" she cried and
looked at him wildly.
"The colonel is all right, Miss
Barnes" the youngest man hastily
answered her. I'VE managed to get
here a little ahead Of him."
THE colonel?" Elinor repeated.
Colonel Morse" the youngest mar
explained.
Everybody back FOUNDER calls hin
colonel" said the stout man.
E1innr 90 70 q 1iff1n roc~
And you-you have come all thu
way from Montana" she cried ant
put out both her hands.
Harvard" the stout man warn
ingly cried.
Excuse me-" said the younges
man. Miss Barnes, let me presen
F, Mr.. Adams"
"Scotty Adams, miss, at your serv
ice," said the stout man as he pu
out his big hand.
. "Mr. Baylor, Mr.. Tawney, Mr.. Tol
liver. l am Mr.. Winthrop"
, Elinor shook hands with each G
: these guests from afar.
Come up on the porch, gentle
. men," she said, and they followed hel
the third man carrying the box, an
> took the chairs she pointed out. IAN
you have come all the way from MOI
tana?" she said again with GROWN
wonder.
"Jest to see you, MISS said til
= stout man, with another smilin
; glance at his companions.
"And we're glad WI came, miss
= put in the third man.
-, "Pikey!" said the second man
- a reproving whisper.
- A soft flush stole over Elinor
pretty face.
- "And where did you leave the
~ the c%olonel?" she asked with a su
= den catch in her voice.
~ you'll get used to it, ma'am
~ laughed tbs stout man.
1--WE left Colonel Morse in Chic
CO." the youngest man replied. 81
: wasn't with us. He will be more ST
prised to see us here than you we
Miss Barnes. The fact is, we mea
tc get here ahead of him. We 81
him in a jewelry store in Chicago.
"Mebby you'll guess what he "
there fer, man." said tbs ste
he caller.
ler I'VE were in the jewelry store, t.
but the colonel didn't see us as
slipped out" the youngest man we
10. en-. "We hurried to the railway s
7er ton and found that a train had be
no delayed in starting, caught it a
reached here just ahead of the co
nel's train"
aid The stout man drew forth a hi
led gold watch.
"We amt more'n half an hi
|ly. ahead of him." he said. Talk f.
Harvard"
the "Our train was delayed fer tn.
the hours at the junction." the young
man went on. THAT explains Sc
Iad tvs remark" He hesitated a I
the ment. "Miss Barnes" he said, g,
way
ber G1on1y ~ III