The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-03-24

the window and wished herself safe q
home. Att moment the parlor bel
rang sharply, and ut the sound Vim
took up the server on which the COLLATION.
stood ready. But her knees tremblee
beneath her 10 that she could scarcely
walk, and her hand shook until the lcei
quivsrsd and the spoons tinklsd together
in the sposn-holder, and the ripe fruit
piled on the tall fruit stand Threatened
every moment to fall to the ground. But
at last this dread ordeal was passed IN
safety, and Vine set out FOL
home. The moon was up and II
was not dark, yet nevertheless she
was afraid. Now Vine was not coward
and at any other time would have enjoy
cd the walk, but tonight every little
notes.-the wind through the tree tops,
the faint twitter Of bird-msde her
start and SILVER, and that small morocco
case in her pocket-it seemed made OF
lead, it felt 50 heavy. She paused in her
rapid walk, drew the case from her
pocket and opened it. There lay the
fork. How brightly it shone in the
moonlight. She felt tempted to
throw it away among the
tall weeds. But harkl was
there not some one coming rapidly down
the hill-some one from Mrs. Blacks
perhaps Vine glanced turtiyely over
her shoulder-no, it was only the rustling
of the leaves in the rising wind; but
Vine, trembling with fear, slipped the
case back into her pocket and ran all OF
the rest Of the way home as fast rs she
could.
Tha. night she scarcely slopt, she
Law awake thinking, thinking OF the
crime she had the committed.
Unhappy Vinel she had at last gained
the long wished for silver fork, and yet
how wretched was she. How could she
ever use itY Every mouthful she took
would seem to choke her; besides it was
marked with Miss Archer's name, she
who had given her the pretty scarf and
who had spoken so kindly to her. o, if
she had only thought of these things be-
fore, she would never have taken the
fork, but now she was thiet; and Vine
buried her face in the pillow and sobbed
aloud.
She arose very early the next morn
ing, but after preparing the simple
breakfast, she went up the hill to Mrs.
Blacks.
~ want to see Miss Archer" she said
as she entered the kitchen.
"Wel, what's up now?" cried Barbara,
it's a pretty time o day to come to see
Miss Archer. / don't b'lieve she's awake
vet, nohow. What do you want, any
way?'
Vine only repeated, II want TO see Miss
Archer"
"Vcry 'portant business, likely" re-
turned Barbara, provoKingly, "sn' l
'spect she wants to see you awful bad so
early Sunday morning, but guess you'll
have TO wait awhile, so you can jest SET
down and peel those potatoes, for you
can't see Miss Archer till after break
fast"
And Vine, much against her will, sat
down by the table and commenced work
ing away at the great dishfuIl of potatoes.
1Now, see here" SAID Barbara,
who had a grea. share of earnestly,
"I'll tell you piece of news you'd
like to hear, if you'll be ekally ob!lgln
an tell me what you want with Miss
Archer"
But don't wish to tell you" replied
Vine, simply.
"Keep it to yerself, then, retorted Bar
bara, sourly. IL don't s'pose it's nothing
nohow."
Vine finished the potatoes in silence,
and when aKfast WAS over she ran at
once to Miss Archer's room. Entering
abruptly, she held out the little black case
IN her hand, crying, 80, Miss Archer
l stole-I stole-I stole your silver
forkw
"Stole my fork child" exclaimed Miss
Archer, looking at her IN amazement,
"you must be dreaming. have not
missed il"
ooh, | did steal it," sobbed Vine, "lsst
night / took 1t home but could not
keep it."
"Why did you take It'll" asked Miss
Archer, taking the case, and laying it
quietly on the table.
Then Vine told her, with many
tears, how she had always longed
for two silver forks, and now she had
been saving her money to buy them IL
don know what made me take yours"
continued she, ~ know it was very
wicked. Will l have to stay in jail very
long?'
No, YOU poor child" SAID Miss
Archer, with emotion, "you will not go
to prison at all" She put the fork away
out OF sight, and talked with Vine long
time.
When Vine went home 1t was with
lighter heart and great weight seemed
removed from her mind.
In few weeks from that time Miss
Archer took her departure; but before
she went away she came to ViEes little
cottage to bid hor goodbye.
The months rolled by, each day like the
other to Vine, in her round of simple
household duties. and at last Christmas
morning dswned, bright and beautiful.
Vine, as soon as she opened her
ewes bounded from her little bed, and
took her coarse yarn stocking down from
the nail on which she had hung it the
night before. 1t was empty. A shade
of disappointment crossed her face, for
although he bad not really expected a
Christmas gift, still she had family hoped
there might be something in restocking.
she dressed herself quickly, and pre-
pared the breakfast as usual, putting on
the table the same cracked cups, the
fsvorite blue plates, and the despised
forks and old knives. Her father and
herself had scarcely seated themselves
at this not very inviting board, when
there came loud knock at the door.
Vine opened the door. On the step
stood boy with a small package, which
he handed to her.
"For me?' she asked.
Your names Vine Wilson, amt it7'
said the boy.
"Yes," replied Wire.
Gall right said the boy, and he ran
away, blowing his fingers to keep them
warm.