The Western advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1872-1874, 1874-04-25


headed farm boy, and told him to run
over and ask Farmer Simkins to step to
the Peckington place that morning.
"And you may as we'll stop for George
Merrilton, 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 I am the last one to be
hard on you. Confess now, and we'll see
how the matter can be cleared up"
Cora opened wide her brown eyes.
"Confess what?" she asked, innocently.
"That you took the money; there was
no one else that could have done it. You
were here all alone yesterday evening,
and know it was strong temptation to
gal that never had FIVE dollars of her
own in the world. Cora, you're young,
child, and I don't believe you're alto
gether bad, but Satan sits us all as wheat,
and"
"Stop!" cried Cora, growing white and
breathless; "you suspect me-you think
am thief! Mrs. Peckington, may God
forgive you; forgive you for your very
| cruel suspicion!"
Mrs. Peckington was SILENT She knew
not how she could help the impression
| which so strongly bore upon her mind.
Who but Cora Dallas could have taken
the missing gold?
George, Georgew gasped the poor
| girl, fitting up to him as for safety, as
the door opened and the stalwart form of
George Merrilton appeared" she believes
that stole the money; you do not think
so, do your"
George Merrilton's eyes sparkleA
nervously. "COusin Clarissa, l would
stake my life on Cora's innocence"
Mrs. Peckington shook her head.
"It looks very ugly for her." she said,
"but of course if she can prove it"
1T needs no proof in my eyes," said
! George, quietly, as he drew Cora's arm
within his "There, little one, don't
tremble so, and look so wonderfully
| frightened-no one shall dare harm you
as long as am by your side"
But where's Mr.. Simkins?" asked the
widow, missing her strongest ally in this
hour Of need.
eff 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 a
stroke, and they don't expect him back not
until the last of next week."
Mrs. Peckington stood undecided.
"At all events" she said, turning to
Cora Dallas, "you can't expect shelter
for such treatment from you.''
bravely, II love Cora Dallas, and stand
sue her if you like
II shan't do that" said the widow;
"leastwise not until Jehorum Simkins
comes home to advise me what's best"
"But," went on George Merrilton, II
shall make her my wife this very day, in
order that can offer her home in place
of the one Of which you cruelty deprived
her"
The widow, albeit naturally a kind.
hearted woman, fired up at this.
"Of course i've nothing to say," she
said, "if you chose to marry thief"
! But she stopped here-the upblazing
| fire in Merrilton's eye admonished her to
20 no further.
1t was lonely enough those cold winter
days, sitting at her fireside, the money
gone, the merry sound of George Merrill.
| toms voice silent and COra's bright pres.
ence vanished.
If should be wrong in 'sposing she
took it," she said to herself, II should be
dreadful sorry to think of all the ugly
names I called her-but don't see as
there can possibly be any doubt to it.
Any way, Jehorum will advise me when
he comes"
} And on the dusky eve of Saturday hight
Farmer Simkins came.
II never was so glad to see anybody in
all my born days." said Mrs. Peckington
impu1sively jumping from her seat-and
she told him the story of the vanished
bag of gold before he had chance to de
posit his portly bulk upon the chair she
Hospitality drew forward.
Mr.. Simkins turned doll red-then .
tallow white-got up and sat down again
and finally dragged a leather bag from
the recess of his butternutcol0red coat
tail.
"I'll never play of practical jok'
again, blamed ef do," he calculated
"for l declare to gracious I hadn't an,
idea of the mischief I was doin'! Here
the money, Clarissy-I heard you tell th'
folks where it was as was scrapln' tn
snow off my feet under the window tina
night, and reached it down just for jok'
when you was gone to see about the sup
per. l meant to have brought it back th'
next morning, and have good laugh will
you about the burglars, but you see how
was fxed-father got poorly, and
couldn't think of nothin' but him-bu
you won't lay it up again me, Clarissy
now will your
"But Cora Dallas!' gasped the aston
isned widow, "1've told everybody tha
she took it,"
"Then you and must 60 round AM
explain matters to everybody, that's all,
said the farmer.
And Mrs. Peckington began to cry.
"Poor Corav' she sobbed; "poo
, motherless child! could bite out m,
tongue when think what wicked thing
} I have spoken with 1t. But I'll 90 righ