Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-04-23
"It looks very ugly for her." she said, "but

OF course II She can prove IL
"It needs no proofin my eyes" said George
quietly, as he drew Cora's arm within his.
dThere, 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 p 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 sudden
ly to Allenyille 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 under my
roof no longer. I didn't look for such treat
ment from you."'
"Cousin Clarissa," said Merrilton, bravely,
"I love Cora Dallas, and | stand here to es-
pouse her cause. You may sue her if you
like"
II shan't do that" said the widow, "least-
wise not until Jehorum Simpkins comes home
to advise me what's best
"But," went on George Merrilton, IL shall
make her my wife this very day, in order that
I can offer her home in place of the one OF
which you have so cruelty deprived her."
The widow, albeit naturally a klnd-hearted
woman, fired up at this.
"Of course I've nothing to say" she said,
eff you choose to marry thief"
But she stopped here-the upblazing fire in
Merrilton's ewes admonished her to 60 no
further.
1t was lonely enough, those cold wintry
days, sitting at her freside, the money gone,
the merry sound of George Merrilton's voice
silent, and Cora's bright presence vanished.
"IfI should be wrong in 'sposing she took
it," she said to herself, 81 should be dreadful
sorry to think all the ugly names | 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 edge of Saturday night
Farmer Simkins came.
81 never was so glad to see any body in all
my born days." said Mrs. Peckington, impul-
sively jumping up from her seat-and she
told him the story of the vanished bag OF
gold, before he had chance to deposit his
portly bulk upon the chair she Hospitality
drew forward.
Mr.. Simkins drew doll red-then tallow
white-got up and sat down again, and final
ly drew leather bag from the recess Of his
butternut-colored coat-tail.
II never'll play of practical joke again,
blamed eff do," he calculated "for declare
to gracious, hadn't any idea of the mischief
I was doin' Here's your money, Clarrissy:
I heard you tell the folks where it was as |
was ascrapin' the snow off my feet under the
window that night, and [ reached it down
just for joke, when you was gone to see
about supper. I meant to have brought it
back the next morning, and have good
laugh with you about the burglars, but you
see how was 6xed-father got poorly, and l
couldn't think of nothin' but him-but you
won't lay it up again ME, Clarssy, now will
your"
"But Cora Dallas ?" gasped the astonished
widow. 1--WE told everybody she took it."
"Then you and must 60 around and ex.
plain matters to every body; that's all" said
the farmer.
And Mrs. Peckington began to cry.
"Poor Cora" she sobbed, "poor motherless
child! 1 could bite out my tongue, when [
think what wicked things have spoken with
it. But I'll go right over there and beg her
pardon, so will, and Georges too"
Cora Merrilton forgave Mrs. Peckington
much more sweetly and readily than her hus-
band could bring himself to do-and she even
came over to hel p the widow make cake for
her own wedding.
"For, of course, I 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 con-
tents of the mischievous leather bag for
wedding present.