The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-10-09

the door opened and the stalwart form
OF George Merriltou appeared; "she
believes that I stole the money; you
do not think SO, do yoa?"
George Merrilton's eyes sparkled
nervously.
cousin Clarissa, 1 would stake my
life on Cora's innocence"
Mrs. Peckington shook her head.
i" It looks very ugly for her," she
said. but of course if she can prove
| it"
&" It 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 1 am by your side"
"But where's MI. Simkins ?" asked
the widow, missing her strongest ally in
this hour of need.
IF 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 ex-
pect him back not until the last of next
week"
Mrs. Peckington stood undecided.
cat all events" she said, turning to
Cora Dallas, "you can't expect shelter
under my roof no longer. l didn't ask
for such treatment from you"
"Cousin Clarissa," said Merrilton,
bravely, CT love Cora Dallas, and I
stand here to espouse her cause. You
may sue her if you like"
at shan't do that" said the widow,
"leastwise not until Jehorum Simkins
comes home to advise me what's best. p"
But" went On George Merrilton,
81 shall make her my wife this very
day, in order that I can offer her a
home in place Of the one which you
have so cruelty deprived her."
The widow, albeit naturally a kind
hearted woman, fred up at this.
"Of course I've nothing to say" she
said, " if you choose to marry thief"
But she stopped here-the unblazing
fire in Merrilton's eyes admonished her
to go no further.
It was lonely enough those cold win
ter days, sitting at her freside, the
money gone, the merry sonnd of George
Merrilton's voice silent, and Cora's
bright presence vanished.
off I should be wrong in 'sposiDg she
took it." she said to herself, 81 should
be dreadful sorry to think of all the ug
Iy names I called her-but I 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 edge of Saturday
Farmer Simkins came.
"I never was so glad to see anybody
in all my born days" said Mrs. Peck
ington, impulsively jumping up from
her seat-and she told him the story of
the vanished bag of gold before he had
a chance to deposit his portly bulk up
on the chair she Hospitality drew for
ward.
Mr.. Simkins turned doll red-then a
tallOw white-got up and sat down
again, and finally dragged a leather bag
from the recess of his butternut-col-
ored coat-tail.
at never IL play off practical joke
again, blamed if do" he calculated
"for declare to gracious I hadn't any
idea of the mischief I was doin'! Here's
your money, Clarissy-I heard you tell
the folks where it was as l was a-scrap.
in the snow off my feet under the
window that night, and | reached it
down, just for a joke, when you was
gone to see about the supper. meant
to have brought it back the next morn
ing, and have good laugh with you
about the burglars, but you see how I
was fxed-father got poorly, and /
couldn't think of nothin' but him-but
you won't lay it up again me, Clarissy,
now will your"
"But Cora Dallas?' gasped the as
tonished widow. "Pve told everybody
she took it."
"Then you and must go around and
explain matters to everybody, that's
all, F" said the farmer.
And Mrs. Peckerton began to cry.
"Poor Cora" she sobbed, "poor
motherless child! I could bite my tongue
when ] think of what wicked things I
have spoken with it. But I'll go right
over and beg her pardon, so I will, and
Georges, too"
Cora Merrilton forgave Mrs. Picking
ton much more sweetly and readily
than her husband could bring himself
to do-and she even came over to help
the widow make cake for her own we'd
ding.
"For, of course, knew it would all
be set right sooner or later" said Cora,
cheerfully, "and we'll let bygones be
bygones."
And the widow solaced her conscience
by presenting Mrs. Cora with just half
the contents of the mischievous leather
bag for wedding present.