Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-27
THE BAG or GOLD.


briel died and left me all the money!
We'll, cousin Clarissa," observed George
Merrilton, who was assid uously engaged in en-
tsDgling the widows work TO the very best or
the very worst Of his ability, "iu case you ind
yourself unequal to the strain, all you have to
do is to leave me the i've thousand dollars"
Mrs, Lexington, unheeding Mr.. Merrilton's
modest hint, "and the last thing at night, I'm
thinking about 1t. First I put il in Deacon
aeain-banks aren't nowsys safe nowadays
And then buried it in the east cellar, close to
the apple bin, and then there came the delug-
ing rain. and I knowed the cellar would be
again. and then could not rest in my bed for
fear Of fire. So got it changed into gold, and
/ guess II Is safe enough"
:. In the bottom Of your big red chest?" mis-.
chieyously hazarded George.
"No matter where, sir" said the widow,
nodding her head.
80, but cousin Clarisss, you might tell u.s."
persisted Merri!ton. "We are all your own
folks, Cora and l."
Cora Dallas sat stitching quietly in the cor
ing'on had taken out of the orphan asylum "to
bring up" five years before.
" don't expect to leave YOU nothing" Mrs.
Peckington had said, "for I've relations of my
own, but III give you good deestrick school
educatian, and decent bringing up, and
good chance TO do for yourself"
And Cora has accepted the good DANES offer
with meek gratitude.
She had grown very pretty in the last few
years, this solitary child of nobody. Dark
eyed, with hair full of deep chestnut golden
shadows, peach blossom skim, where the rosy
blood glowed brightly through on the slightest
provOcatiOn, and q mouth like Hebe, it seemed
as If nature had made solemn compact with
herself to atone for all social sights that might
be cast across Cora Dallas path.
Well" said Mrs. Peckingt0n, seriously, az
don't mind telling you, but mind you don't re-
peat 1.-THE bags hung half way up the chin
'But suppose the chimney should take fre?'
said Merrilton.
at won't. III keep it we'll swept, and be-
melt gold"
"Upon my word, cousin Clarissa," said Mer-
rilton, "you are a second Machiavelli."
Who in PHYS sake was hep" asked Mrs.
Peckington. There's nefghbor Simkins at
the door-jump and let him In, Cora, for it's
beginning to snow like all possessed"
And neghbOr Simkins came in, broad
faced, jovisl agriculturist, who lived on the
next farm, and was suspected of matrimonial
designs on the heart of widow Peckington.
"Set by, Mr.. Simkins," said the widow hos
pitable, putting another m0ss-frnged log on
spell of weather."
And while the widow and her middle-a aged
lover discussed the weather. George took occa-
sion to help Cora get down half a bushel of red
long about it too.
yourself, George MerriltOn," said Cora, dimp.
ling and blushipg and trying to look very angry
in which she succeeded but 1ndifferently.
Gov what hat for, aqdaciously demanded George
pretty girl every day in the year"
What would Mrs. PeckingtOn say?"
II dare say she's doing the very same thing
herself down stairs with Jehorum Simkins."
And Cora burst out laughing at the prepos-
ferrous idea, just as the widow came in to hustle
around after ounce jelly and apple butter, and
to tell Cora to mix up batch of mullins in the
twinkling of an eye, for neighbor Simkins was
going to STAY to tea.
And then Mr.. Simkins took his leave with a
roguish twinkle of his eye towards the young
spend the evening with Mrs. Dorcas Dottleford
her pet crony, and Cora sat all alone in the
hre.llght, sewing and signing, and thinking.
For George Merrilton had gone home early to
secure MI. Slmklns' companoDship part OF
the way through the lonely roads which were
already becoming yeiled in snow.
The tall old fashioned clock in the angle of
the old fashioned kitchen chimney had just
struck midnight. when Cora Dallas was reused
from her sleep by a sheeted form at the foot of
her bed-tall and narrow, clad in white-but
no ghost nevertheless, but Mrs. Peckington's
whats the matter?" cried Cora, breath
lessiy.
''My money" gasped the widow, waving her
hands tragicaliy in the air.
81 But what Of it?''
"It's clean gone, stolen, took away"
Are you sure?" eagerly demanded Cora.
AS sure as 1 am that you're staring at me
now. felt up chimney for it the last thing
sfOre ] got ready to 60 to bed, and-it was
In vain proved all search. Neithe, IN Chin
ney, nor down cellar, nor in any imaginable or
unimaginable corner was the bag of gold pieces
to be found.
"Mrs. Peekington." said Cora, huskily, at
eyes," said Mrs. Peckington, whose lips
we're now compressed, and there was something
in her manner that Cora had never before no
ticed, as she called the white-headed farm boy,
and told him TO run over and ask Farmer Sim
kins to step to the Peckington place that morn
aAnd you may as we'll stop for George Mer-
rilton, as you come back" said she.
When he was gone she came close up to Cora
Dallas.
"COra," said she, 1--WE two are alone together
now, and am the last one to be hard on you
confess now, and wen see how the matter can
be cleared up.
"Confess what?" she asked innocently.
THAT ysu took the money; there was no one
else that could have done it. You were here
all alone yesterday evening, and know 1t was
dollars Of her own in the world. Cora, you're
young, child, and don't believe you're alto
sether bad, but Satan sits US all as wheat
"Stop!" cried Cora, growing white and
breathlese, "you suspect me-you think am Q
thien Mre Peckineton may God forgive You;
forgive you for your very cruel suspicion"
how she could help the impression which so
strongly bore upon her mind. Who but Cora
Dallas could have taken the missing gold?
George, GEORGE" gasped the poor girl, nIt-
and the stalwart form Of George Metrilton sp-
peared; "she believes that 1 stole the money;
you do not think %, do you2'
George Merrilton's eyes sparkled nervously.
Cousin Clarssa, l would stake my life on
Cora's innocence"
Mrs. Peckington shook her head.
II looks very ugly for her ;" she said, "but
OF course II she can prove it"
at needs no proof in my eyes" said George,
quietly, as he drew Coras arm within his.
There, little one, don't tremble 30, and look
80 wonderfully frightened-Ro one shall dare
harm you as long as 1 am by your side.'Y
al But where's Mr.. Simkins?' asked the
widow. missing her strongest ally In this hour
Of need.
aft you please, ma'am," said the white
headed farm boy, che had gone away suddenly
to Allenville at four O'Clock this morning, to
see his father, as he had stroke, and they don't
expect him back not till the last of the week."
Mrs. Peckington stood undecided.
AT all events" she said, turning to Cora
Dallas, "you can't expect shelter under my
roof no longer. l didn't look for such treat
ment from you"
Cousin Clarissa," said Merrilton, bravely,
al love Cora Dallas, and l stand here to es-
pousc her cause. You may sue her IL you like"
"I shan't do that" said the widow, "least-
wise not until Jehorum Simkins comes home to
advise me what's best