The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-10-13
care you suroqo eagerly demanded

and--it was gone"
In vain proved all search. Neither up
the chimney, nor down in the cellar, nor
in any imaginable or unimaginable corner
was the bag of gold pieces to be found.
"Mrs. Peckington," said Cora, huskily,
" it must have been stolen"
eyes" said Mrs. Peclsington, whose
lips were now compressed, and there was
something in her manner that Cora never
before noticed, as she called the white
headed farm-boy, and told him to step over
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, eve two are alone
together now, and 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 for gal
that never had five dollars in her life
Cora, you're young child, and l don't
believe you're altogether bad, but Satan,
sifts us all as wheat, and
"Stop" cried Cora, growing white and
breathless "you suspect me-you think
me a thief! Mrs. Peckington, may God
forgive you; forgive you for your 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, George ~ gasped the poor girl,
fitting up to him as for safety, as the stall
wart form of George Merrilton appeared
"she believes that stole the money you
do not think so, do you?"
George Merrilton's eyes sparkled ner-
vously.
"Cousin Clarissa, would stake my life
on Cora's innocence"
Mrs. Peckington shook her head.
cit looks 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 fright
ened no one shall dare harm you while l
am by your side"
"But where's Mr.. Simkins ?" asked the
widow missing her strongest ally in this
hour of need.
elf you please, ma'am," said the white
headed farm-boy, "be has gone away sud-
denly to Allenville at four o'clock this
morning to see his father as he has a
stroke, and they don't expect 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. didn't ask for
such treatment from you"
"Cousin Clarissa," said Merrilton, brave
ly, 81 love Cora Dallas, and l stand here
to espouse her cause. You may sue her if
you like"
81 shan't do that" said the widow,
leastwise not until Jehorum Simkins comes
home to advise me what's best"
"But, went ON George, shall make her
my wife this very day, in order that can
offer her home in the place of the one of
which you have 80 cruelty deprived her."
The widow, albiet naturally kind
hearted woman, fired up at this.
"Of course I've nothing to say" she
said, of you choose to marry thief"
But she stopped there-the unblazing
fire in Merrilton's eyes admonished her to
go no further.
1t was lonely enough those cold winter
days, sitting at her fireside, the money
gone, the merry voice of George Merrilton
was silent, and Cora's bright presence van
ished
"If l should be wrong in supposing she
took it., she said to herself, "I should be
awful sorry for tho ugly names called her
but 1 don't see as there can be any possible
doubt to it. Anyway, Jehorum will ad-
wise me when he comes"
And on the dusky edge of Saturday
Farmer Simkins came,
" l never was so glad to see any one in
all the days of my life," Mrs. Peckington
said, impulsively jumping up from her
seat--and she told him the story of the
vanished bag of gold, before he had time
to deposit his portly bulk upon the chair
she Hospitality drew forward.