The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-10-22

s s,l 9y the time the men had fairly revived
Ia,h eeoies and had got him home Raldy was at
ono uoor 70 meet them, her drenched clothes
Iar Tor dry ones, and the wet braids of
= !, - tair har alone revealing that she had
nareu, not an hour before the perils of the
PEBBLES. Aoi '4io 0ANo VI SIM
IN lew days Sim PEBBLES was all right
49,. Z an, ne Sc med i'll excellent spirits; bur it
gag not until he had been at home for nearly
Z, s.. week That Raldy gave him any chance to
speak out" Then he contrived it only by
Sa o,.l oarricading the door, and sitting
uVmn IN front of it, just as she was about 90
mg nome for the night.
want TO tell you something" he said, pit
eoppsy, Tor Raldy was severely on her dignity.
n 1;N concluded to be corned, and sat down
TO listen to him.
I've saved up my pay,' continued Sim,
sp1Ia,k1ng trifie hurriedly, eand I've done
sos au extra JOB up there, and made some
Inohey out OF that, and I've really done well,
hanlay; you ask the fellows II hayen't.n
something in his manner made the quick
Wi1.eu woman pause and look at him sus.
Plclo9sly; but as she looked she saw nothing
oue Sim PEBBLES handsome face and great
pieading brown eyes full of alteration for her.
ana sne flung her suspicious to the wind :.
wen, )" she said calmly, ''if you have
inioney you'll find use for it. / suppose you
know BY this time that pve run up
quite bill at the store since YOU went
away; told them there that I'd foot it if you
IN foot it'll foot everything said Sim,
GENEROUSLY, taking her nonchalance, as well he
might, for direct encouragement. :" Pye got
enough to last us well for a good while, Raidy.
ana 50 it's all right, isn't its-isn'tit, Raldy ~
n, ne rose to his full height with a sudden di-
ACTON OF impetuous passion which compelled
we scornful woman's admiration Then he
t.'ssIehed out his arms to her mutely, and she
omorrow-to- morrow, Raldy," pleaded
her Intoxicated lover; marry me to-mor-
rowlm
No,n Raldy said, thoughtfully becoming
herself again suddenly, and tearing herself
away tromhlm-" no; one week from to-day
I'll marry pu, Sim. And i'll put this trust in
you, Slm'-with sudden culver in the clear
voice whichthrilled all through Sim peebles'
poor shiyerhg soul" you won't disappoint
mer Hsa T'T
Never, Raldy-never," he said, with an
almost manlT tenderness, and he drew her I'M
resisting face to him and kissed. her once
again beforeshe passed through the door to
her home.
Raldy's preparations for her wedding were
few and veryprivate. She did not tell even
Mart. "lf choose to throw myself awav"
she said to heEelf-for Raldy Scott knew well
that from the head of the Wisconsin to the
Mississippi thtre wasn't woman to equal her
=" If | choose to throw myself away on sim
PEBBLES it's Dbody's business but my own.
They'll talk enough afterward-and they
may"
At last the morning came of the day which
Raldy had setfor her wedding, and Sim went
about with box of bliss upon his face which
would have tod the story to the whole neigh
borhood, in spite of his solemn promise to
Raldynot to reveal it, if she had not studiously
kept him bus on the place in making up the
garden.
They were to be married at noon. Eleven
O'Clock was near at hand, and Raldy called out
softly to Simto see to the children. She was
going over to Mart's to put on her best dress,
and was hurting out of the gate when she en-
countered Mrs. jerks.
"Good-moming," said that lady, beamingly.
Instead of pushing past her contemptuous-
ly, as she would usually have done, something
made Raldy stop civilly.
Glad to see Sims getting ahead little"
said Mrs. jerks, with smirk
Raldy stared at her mutely, and did not stir
Sorry he's come by his money just as he
has, though went ON Mrs. jerks, sending
her shaft well home.
The color left Raldy's steady face, and her
mind flew back to the momentary suspicion
with which she had first received the news of
Sims good fortune.
How is that." she said, imperiously.
80, don't you know" rejoined Mrs jerks,
innocenty. 'All Dearborn's takin' about it,
You know Sim amt over-smart about coyerin'
sssiu Iaioy, preathiessly, as her tor
mentor paused.
You know old Jake Torrey died up in the
pines six weeks ago."
Eyes, yes, /" impatiently.
And may be you know he died all alone
with Sim Peebles"
Raldy did not know it, but she bowed her
head.
CAT least" said Mrs. jerks, spitefully,
Sim thought he was alone, but my sam hap
pened to be within hearing, just out of sight,
and he heard old Jake say, Take this money,
Sim, and send it to my daughter in Yarmouth,
and he told him where, and Sim writ it down,
and'' went on Mrs. jerks, with satisfaction
enough to atone for all the innumerable Sights
and snubs that she had received at Raldys
hands" and then the old man dropped away
but Sim, mind yer, he never said a word, not
he, but he's come all of a sudden by big pile,
so he makes his brag-' extra job he SAYS,
hearo And Mrs. jerks passed on.
Raldy went few steps further, her proud
head bowed a little and her firm steps slow and
faltering. Then she turned quickly, and re-
entered Sim PEBBLES little cabin. The children
were playing outdoors, and She closed and
boted the door behind her as she went in
Then she motioned to Sim to sit down oppo-
site her. Her keen, indignant eyes searched
him through and through. He looked back at
her for a moment with all the fond JOY of an
expectant bridegroom. Then the purpose of
her gaze seemed to penetrate him. The light
went out from his face, his eyelids dropped
his head fell. Then he groaned aloud, and
she knew that Mrs. jerks story was true
'Sim," she said, softly, sis it true! Tell
me as you would tell your Maker" and there
was ring in her low tone which compelled
him to be honest with her. did you take
that money that Jake Torrey left you for his
so, Raldy," he began, weakly, mot all
oh, not nearly all. You can write"
She interrupted him sternly did you
take any of that money, Sim!'
''Just enough" he said, p,eadingly-
q just enough to pay me for doing the bust
ness, you know, Kaldy-not much, you know
o, Ra dy, you won't cast me off for that, VIII
youl-oh, not now, Raldy-not noD'" and the
man, putting his head in her lap, wept pit
terly. uN 4t t+l
she stroked his hair tenderly, but her firm
face did not weaken.
" have thought great deal of you, Sim, !"
she said, in dry, hard voice, suddenly rising
and pushing him from her, g but now that
find that you are a mean and dishonest man
that you can cheat the dead Sim-that's all
over. Hope you'll get somebody to take care
of the children, Sim, for l must go. / reckon
I'll go'down to Fond du Lac or Milwaukee aud
go out to service. Mart's married, and''-
YEARLY might as we'll"
And she turned before his face, unattached
the humble door, through which an hour hence
she hal thought to walk as bride, and before
he could open his paralyzed lips to speak, she
was gone. And Sim PEBBLES never saw her