The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-10-21

ana BY tho time the men had fairly revived
Sim PEBBLES and had got him homo Raldy wss ct
the door to NEST them, her drenchsd clothes
exchanged for dry ones, and the wet braids Of
her fair hair alone revealing that she. had
dEed, not an hour before the perils OF tho
Del!e Of the Wisconsin Tor the sake Of Sim
PEBBLES.
In few days Sim PEBBLES was al right
again. He seemed in excellent spirits; but It
. week that Raldy gave him sny chance to
ssspeak out" Then he contrived 1t only BY
desperately barricading the door, and sitting
down In front Of IL, Just - she was about go
ing home for the night
want to tell you something" he said, pitt
eously, for Raldy was severely on her dignity.
to listen to him.
'I've saved up my pay" continued Sim,
speaking . trife hurriedly, sand I've done
well, Raldy. can support y0u well now. l
got an extra job up there, and made some
money out Of that, and I've really done well,
Raldy; you ask the fellows II haven't"
Something in his manner made the quick
witted woman pause and look at him sus-
piciously; but as she looked she saw nothing
but Sim PEBBLES handsome face and great
pleading brown eyes full Of alteration for her,
and she flung her suspicions to the wind.
WELL" she said calmly, III you have
money you'u find use for it. suppose you
know BY this time that I've run up
quite bill at the store since you went
away; told them there that I'd foot it If you
didn't"
.sI'n foot it'll foot everything" said Sim.
d. Mriously, taking her nonchalance, as well he
might, for direct encouragement. I've got
And 50 It's all right, isn't it!-isn't it, Raldyl"
He rose to his full height with sudden d.
latiOn OF impetuOus passion which compelled
the scornful wOman's admiration. Then he
stretched out his arms to her mutely, and she
let them fold her in.
ITO morrow-to. morrow, Raldy," pleaded
her intoxicated lover; marry me t0-mor-
rOw!''
No." Raldy said, thoughtfully, becoming
herself again suddenly, and tearing herself
away from him" no; one week from to-day
III marry you, Sim. And IT, put this trust in
voice which thrilled all through >im reebles'
poor shivering soul" you won't disappoint
meT'
Never, Raldy-never," he said, with an
almost manly tenderness, and he drew her I'M
resisting face to him and kissed her once
again before she passed through the door to
her home.
Raldy's preparations for her wedding were
few and very private. she did not tell even
Mart. ST choose to throw myself away"
she said to herself-for Raldy Scott knew well
that from the head of the Wisconsin to the
Mississippi there wasn't woman to equal her
=" if choose to throw myself away on Sim
They'll talk enough afterward-and they
may"
At last the morning came Of the day which
Raldy had set for hef wedding, and sim went
about with look Of bliss upon his face which
would have told the story to the whole neigh
Raldy not to revealit, If she had not studiously
kept him busy 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 Sim to see to the children. She was
and was hurrying out Of the gate when she en-
countered Mrs. jerks:
"GOod-morning," said that lady, beamingly.
Instead of pushing past her contemptuous-
~, as she would usually have done, something
made Raldy stop civilly.
"Glad to see Sims getting ahead Ittle,"
said Mrs. jerks, with q smirk.
Raldy stared at her mutely, and did not stir.
''Sorry he's come by his money just IS 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,
innocently "Au Dearborn's talllin' about it.
You know Sim amt over-smart about coverin'
up his tracks,"
"Wena" said RaldY, breathlessly, as her tor.
"You know old Jake Torrey died up in the
pines six weeks agO2"
Yes, yes" impatiently.
,u, mA nd may DO you know he died all alone
Raldy did not know it, but she bowed her
head.
Sat 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 Raldy's
hands" and then the old man dropped away;
but Sim, mind yer, he never said q word, not
he, but he's come all Of a sudden by big pile,
so he makes his brag-'extra job, he says,
hear" And Mrs. jerks passed on.
Raldy went few steps further, her proud
head bowed 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
bolted the door behind her as she went In.
Then she motioned to Sim to sit down oppo-
site her. Her keen, indignant eyes searched
A4AA4 UuAOuSA ohN suiOu6A' AAC AVOhSN o0S0 -
her for 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 eyeiids dropped,
his head fell. Then he grOaned aloud, and
she knew that Mrs. jerks story was true.
"Sim," she said, softly, ais it truel 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
daughter, and pretend that it was your owns"
30, Raldy," he began, weakly, "not all
oh, not nearly all. You can write"
She interrupted him sternly. ibid you
take any of that money, Sim!''
"Just enough" he said, p,eadingly-
{" Just enough to pay me for doing the busi-
ness, you know, Raldy-not much, you know.
o, Ra dy, you won't cast me of Tor that, will
youl-oh, not now. Raldy-nOt nosa'" and the
man, putting his head in her lap, wept pit
terly.
She stroked his hair tenderly, but her firm
face did not weaken.
az have thought great deal Of you, Sim,"
abe said, in dry, hard voice, suddenly rising
and pushing him from her, but now that /
find that you are q mean and dishonest man
that you can cheat the dead, sim-that's all
over. Ihope you'll get somebody to take care
of the children, Sim, for must 60. l reckon
I'll 20 down to Fond du Lac or Milwaukee aud
60 out to service. Mart's married, and'-
YEARLY" might as we'll"
And she turned before his face, unlatched
- ~ h~v~ A>vn