The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-04-04

chimney, nor down cellar, nor IN any iniasli
able or unimaginable corner was inc Dag
gold pieces to be found. 80, =,
Mrs. Peckington, said Cora, huskily, !
must have been stolen -.
Yes said Mrs. Pcckington, whose lip
we're now compressed, and there was some
thing in her manner that Cora never beior
noticed as she called the white headed iari
boy, and told HIM to run over anu AS
farmer Simpkins to step to the fecKlhS'o
place that morning.
And you NAV as well stop Tor GeorSe He'
riton, as you come back, she said;
When he was gone she came close up t
Cora Dallas.
Cora SAID she. we two are alone togethe
now, and | am the last one to be hard on you
Confess now, and we'll see how the matte
can be cleared up
Cora opened wide her brown eyes
Confess whatg' she asked innocently,
That YOU took the money! there was NJ
one else that could have done 1t. You were
here all alone yesterday evening" anu kho"
it was II strong temptation to gal tlae heVe =
| had five dollars of her own IN the world
Cora, you're young child, and L don't be
lieve you're altogether bad, but satan SITS Us
all as wheat, and
'Stop!' cried Cora, growing white and
breathless; you suspect me-you think am
a thief! Mrs Peckington, may God forgive
you; forgive you for your suspicion!
Mrs. Peckington was silent. She knew mol
how she could help the impression which SC
strongly bore upon her mind. Who but Cora
Dallas could have taken the missing gold?
George, George gasped the poor girl
fitting up to him as for safety, as the door
opened and the stalwart form of George Mer
riton appeared; she believes that | stole the
you do not think so, do you?'
Cousin Clarissa, would stake my life on
Cora's innocence
Mrs. PeckingtOn shook her head.
1t looks very ugly for her. she said, but
of course if she can prove it
Itneeds no proofot in myeyes, said George
quietly, as he drew Cora's arm within his
There, little one, don't tremble so, and look
50 wonderfully trightened-no one shall harm
you so long as am by your side
But where's Mr.. Simpkins?' asked the
widow missing her strongest ally in this hour
If need
If you please, maam,' said the white
headed farm boy, he went to Allenville at four
o'clock this morning to see his father as he
lad stroke, and they don't expect him back
lot until the last of next week.
Mrs. Peckington Stood undecided.
AT all events she said, turning to Cora
DALLAS, you can't expect shelter under my
oof any longer | didn't cXpec! such treat
lent from you
Cousin ClariSsa,' said Merrilton, 4 love
ora Dallas, and | stand here to cspousc her
ause You may sue her if you like
Il shan't do that said the widow, least
Use not until Jehorum Simkins comes home |
advise me what is best
But went on George Merilton, 4 shall
lake her my wife this very day, in order
lat | can offer her a home in place of the |
ne of which you so cruelty deprive her
The widow, albeit naturally kindhearted |
oman, fired up at this.
'Of course I've nothing to say, she said, if
)u prefer to marry thief
But she stopped here the upbazing fire in
eriltons eyes admonished her to go no
rther.
1t was lonely enough those cold winter
tys, sitting at her fireside, the money gone,
e merry sound of George Mentions voice
lent, and COra's bright presence vanished.
If should be wrong IN 'sposlng she took
; she said to herself, 4 should be dreadful
rry to think of all the ugly names called
,r-but don't see as there can possibly be
~ doubt Of it. Any way, Jehorum will adj
sc when he comes
And on the dusky edge Of Saturday night
lrmcr Simpkins came.
1 never was so glad to see anybody in all [
V born days said Mrs. Peckington, lmpul- {
Iely jumping up from her seat|-and she t
Id him the story of the vanished bag of
Id, before he had chance to deposit his {
rtly person upon the chair she Hospitality II
CIV forward. Il
Mr.. Simpkins turned doll red--then a tai i
W white-got up and sat down again, and t
ally dragged leather bag from the recess
his butternut colored coat tail, II
/ never'll pay off a practical joke again, 7
lmed if do he calculated for declare to |
acious, hadn't idea of the mischief was {
ingl Here's your money, Clarissy--I heard {
IL tell the folks where it was as | was a
rapn' the snow off my feet under the win |
W that night, and / reached it down just t
a joke, when you was gone TO see about
G supper | meant to have brought it back
: next morning, and have u nice laugh with
IL about the burglars, but you see how | |
IS fixed father beCamd sick, and | couldn't II
ink of uothin' but him; but you won't lay f.
up again me, Clarissy, will YOU? c
But Cora Dallas" gaSpcd the astOnished {
dow I've told everybody she stole it !
Then you and must 20 round and explain
, matter to everybody, that is ALL said the
'mer
And Mrs. Pecklngton beuan to cry.
Poor Cora she sobbed, poor, motherless e
lid! / could bite out my tongue when v
ink what wicked things have spoken with C
But I'll 80 right over there and beg her c
rdon, and Georges too. Il
Cora Merriton torgavc Mrs. Peckington |
lch more swcetly and readily than her hus- l
nd could find heart to do-and she even I
me over TO help the widow make wedding q
Ike for her own matrimonial benefit
For, of course, knew it would all be set q
ght, sooner or later said Cora, cheeriully, /
nj We'll let by-goncs be by cones
And the widow solaced her conscience by {
esenting Mrs. Cora with just half the con. a
nts of the mischicvous leather bag for a
,dding present
lInn 4 nIln.