The Red Cloud chief., 1874-12-23

like we're going 70 have another spell
Of weather"
And Wills Ii, widow and hAR mid.
dle-ssed lover discussed the weather.
George took occasion to help Corn get
down half . bu.bei Of red apples from
;h- garret, and was unnecessarily long
about it, too.
Il .hould think sou would be
ashamed Of yourself. George Merrill
ton," said Cora. dimplios and blush
ing, aud trying to look very angry, IN
which she succeeded but indiferently.
What for 2" a~udaciou.ly demand.
ed George. ''One dosen't ret behind
the garnet door With . pretty girl every
day 10 the year"
What would Mrs. Peckington
say?"
II dare say she's doing the very
came thing herself down stairs with
Jehorum Sinkins."
And Cora burst out laughing at the
preposterous idea, just rs the widow
came for ounce jelly and apple butter,
and to tell Cora to mix up . batch Of
mullins in the ~twinkling Of an eye, for
neigh5or Simkins Was going to stay
to tea.
After supper Mr.. Simkins took hi-
leave, With . roguish twinkle Of hi,
eye toward the young people, and
Mr.. Peckington went over to spend
the evening with Mrs. Dorcsse Dot,le-
ford. her ret crony, and Cora sat Ill
alone 10 the 6re-liaht. sewing and
signing thinking. For George merrill
ton bad gone home early to sec Ire
Mr.. Simkins' companionship . par,
| If he way through the lonely road,
which were already becoming veiled
10 snow.
The tall old fashioned clock in the
angle of the old-fashioned kitchen
chimney had just struck midnight.
when Cora DsllAs was reused from
her sleep by . sheeted form at the
foot of her bed-tsll and narrow, clad
in white--but no ghost, nevertheless,
but Mrs. Peckington's self.
whats the matter" cried Cora,
breathlessly.
My money. gasped the widow,
waving her hands tragically in the air.
But what Of it?"
ATS clean gone, stolen, took a.
wsy!"
"Are you cure! eagerly demand.
ed Cora.
"As sure as I am that you're star.
ing at me now. l felt up chimney
for it the last thing afore l got ready
to go to bed, snd-it was gone"
In vain proved all search. Meth
er up chimney, nor down cellar, DOL
in any imaginable or unimsginable
corner was the bag Of gold to 6e
found.
Mrs. Peckington," said Cora,
huskily, lit mus, have been stolen.
Yes" said Mrs. Peckington,
whose lips we're now compressed, and
and there was something in her man
ner that Cora never before noticed. q
she called the white-headed farm boy
and told him to run over and asl
Farmer Simkins to step to the Peck
ington place that morning.
"And you may ss we'll stop fo1
George Merrilton as you come back,
said she.
When he was gone she came clos,
up to Cora Dallas.
Cora" said she, I'VE two or,
alone together now, and | am the last
one to BE- hard on you confess now
and wen see how the matter can bt
cleared up"
Cora opened wide her brown eyes
Confess what? q she asked limo
Gently.
That you took the money I; there
was no q else that could have don'
it. You we're here all alone yester
day evening, and l know it was
strong temptation to a gal that neve
had FIVE dollars Of her own in til,
world. Cora. you're young, child
and | don't believe you're sltoge,hel
bad. but Satan Sits US all as wheat
and"
Stop" cried Cora. growing white
and breathless you suspect me
you think | am . thief! Mrs. Pect ing
ton, NAV God forgive you for you
very cruel suspicion"
Mrs. Peckingtcn Vas silent. Sh'
knew not how she could help tn
impression which 50 strongly bor'
upon her mind. Who but Cora psl
las could have taken the missing
gold?
George. George! |" gaspcd TIT
poor girl, fitting up to him as 70
safety, as the door opened and th'
stalwsrt form of George Merrilton ap
pesred; ''she believes that l stol,
the money /; you DO no not think 50
do your
George Merrilton's eyes sparklet
nervously.
cousin Clarissa, I would stake
my life on Cors's innocence"
Mrs. Peckington shook her head.