The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1913-11-27

SAID THE GIRL
team, a jaded, rawboned horse and
plucky little mule. pulled it along over
an almost elaborated trail.
Poor old Rob!' said the girl pity
ingly, looking at the horse as he pant
ed and foundered along in the sand.
trying to do his share. 81 don't be-
lieve he viii last to the next water
hole if we are on the right TRAIL
He does seem nearly done for" re-
turned her father. 1.-The trips been
too hard for him, but did think he'd
stand it with Pecksniff to get us to the
mines"
A mile farther on they were obliged
to stop. Old Bob had given out June
jumped from the wagon and undid
the harness. leading the horse to the
back of the wagon. She was just
bringing him a basin of water from
the meager supply in the little keg,
which had been filed at the last wa
tering place. when, with groan, old
Bob sank to the ground. In few
moments he was dead.
The girl could not keep back the
tears as she gaZed upon the stiffened
limbs Of Old Bob.
well, wellv' exclaimed her father,
q Quayer in his voice. "Old Bobs a
goner." Then he turned away, rubbing
his hardened hands in nervous Devil
derment This is cheerful situation
for us, June, and Thanksgiving day at
that Here we are with only Pecksnif
left alone out here in the desert forty
miles from nowhere and scarcely
enough food in the wagon to feed
Jack rabbit I've brought you to this.
I'VE always been a crazy old fool"
mo, no, father said June, recover
ing herself to cheer the disheartened
old man. 1--WE both thought it was
best to go to the mines, where you are
sure to get work Never mind. Wen
rest an hour or two; then Well take
Pecksniff and go on to the mines on
foot. You can ride and I'll walk.
1--WE can't ride Pecksniff," returned
the old man as the girl led him back
to the wagon. ''He bucks like the
dickens. No, June" in a despair1ng
tone: 1--WE never can reach the mines
without help. l tell you we are IN
| worse fix than you think.
eve can trust in God to help us,
said the girl as she assisted her father
back into the wagon.
Although late in November, the sun
in the cloudless sky shone down upon
the arid sand Of the desert with great
force. Blue Hills off to the south loom
cd vaguely in the hazy distance, and
broad mirage bordered the horizon.
Presently out of the quivering heat
waves horseman rode toward the
stranded wagon.
"Hellov' he called. refining In his
horse few feet in front Of the wagon
..You'ye met with bad luck, | see.
scanning the carcass OF old BOD
At the sound OF the horsemans voice
lime Haskins' face went white. theh
rod by turns. Her heart began Such q
wild beating she could scarcely Keep
from CRYING ont. In spite OF the SIX
wears since she bad last seen kenneth
Dolland in spite of the beard ana the
costume which had changed his ap
nearance So vastly, she recognized the
man at once. She quickly drew bacK
within the shadow Of the wagon cover
TO escape his recognition.
eyes. bad luck" Haskins replied In
hopeless tone. AS he spoke June
glanced quickly at her fathers lace
would he recognize the horseman!
She was in a nervous dread lest he
sbouId Their situation was depiora-
h1a enough without having to undergo
49, renowal of the old family quarrel
ont there on the desert. But as ner