The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1888-05-17

took O. great deal OF care OF her; but Hit
ty struggled angrily, crying out: "Go
| way! 90 san touch me! Oo's q bad,
wicked girl, for my daddy says sol"
A hard, rebellious feeling crept into
Molly's heart as she set the child
down and took up her bundle; She
found Mrs. Prime waiting for her in
the hall and the gentle woman kissed
her cheek and pressed something IN
| her hand.
Don't give up Molly" she whisper.
ed, remember | trust YOU" 'tGod
bless you for thatn said Molly fer
vent1y as she turned away to hide the
failing tears.
When she reached the highway, she
opened her hand, and there lay two
shining gold dollars, her months
wages. Somehow, the little gold
pieces warmed the girls heart and as
sured her again that the whole world
was not against her.
Howm merrily she had tripped along this
road a week ago, singing as she went;
but now she walked with tagging steps,
dreading to tell the folks at home her
trouble, yet longing for their sympa-
thy. The air was filled with the
melody OF the birds, and the sound
of distant water at the mill, but
! Molly needed not the sweet sounds,
nor saw the blue hills penclled against
the Summer sky.
The great bush beside her
mothers door was flaming with red
roses, and a light breeze scattered the
petals all around her as she went up
! the path. Little Betty ran out to
meet her, crying joyfully. 80, Molly!
| have you come home to make visit?
How glad 1 amp
! MolIie could not answer, but taking
| her sisters hand in hers, she went into
| the room where her mother sat. What
feeling OF comfort and rest her moth
er's presence gave the poor girl; she
had one friend at least. who would
| love and trust her, come what might.
| Without a word she threw herself
| down at her mothers feet, and bury
ing her face in her lap, burst into
tears. Mrs. Gowen stroked her daugh-
ter's hair silently and waited for her
| to grow calmer. At length she told
| her story, much to her mothers in-
[ oignation.
| "Did they not knowyou better than
i that" she asked. "You who have
/ worked for them so long and SO well!
/ Don't be afraid Molly! God is with
/ the innocent, and He will override
this for your good, child. Behind a
| trowning Providence God hides a
smiling face
| "And O, MOTHER" continued Molly.
81 was so happy before this happen
ed, for had promised Robin Moore
te, marry him; but now never can
unless that money is found, for peo-
pit, sha'n't say Robin has married
thief"
| The news OF Molly's disgrace spread
| like wiIdfre. Those who envied her
her pretty face and the marked pref
| eren ce which handsome Robin Moore
! showed for her, pretended to hold her
| guilty. and treated her with coldness
when they met. but the majority OF
| her nelghbors were very indignant,
and pronounced Capt. Prime q
"purse-proud old Pharasee" Thes,
sympathIzing friends gave many
| proofs OF their goodwill, and helped
Molly in every way they could.
Zone thing am learning, mother"
she said with sad smile, "and that
| is to know my friends"
The next evening after Molly's dis
| missaI, Robin came to see her and
| was very bitter towards Capt. Prime,
whom Molly defended stanchly. "Cir-
| cumstances were all against me-" she
said, "and it IS no wonder he thought
| so. If ever the truth is known he will
feel badly enough, for he is a just
man."
Robin urged speedy marriage, but
Molly would not hear of it. NO"
she replied, II viii never marry you
till this is cleared" In vain he pro-
tested; she remained firm and he was
forced to submit, vowing vengeance,
however, when the truth would be
known.
Drearily the weeks crept by and still
Molly was without work. Day after
day she sought employment, but the
scandal outran her and she was look
ed on with suspicion. If any one did
hire her for day, she had the mortl-
fication of knowing she was watched.
She kept all these things from her moth
er's knowledge; but they weighed on
her proud spirit and she grew pale and
thin. Their little hoard of money was
all gone, and the meal was getting low,
so poor Molly's reflections were
gloomy enough as she sat by the
window one afternoon knitting and
knitting and watching the dusty road.
Suddenly she dropped her work, cry
ing, "Oh mother! Capt. Prime is COM
ing up the lane. What if-oh, can it
be he has found his money!" every
likely he has," replied her mother
| calmly.
| The captain rode up to the door
and springing from his horse raped
| loudly. "Please 60 to the door,
mother" said Molly family, II can't"
| Mrs. Gowen opened the door and
greeted her visitor with quiet dignity.
He asked for Molly and was invited
| in. Going straight to the trembling
| girl, he took both her hands in his and
began: "Molly, the real thief is found.
Will you forgive me for unjustly &C.
cusing you@'
| For moment Molly felt as if the
solid earth were slipping from beneath
her feet, and she would have fallen ii
he had not caught her. She revived
Immediately and cried out: "Thank
God Oh, thank Godr' Then her
tender heart went out towards the
real culprit. care you quite sure
| this time, sir?" she asked earnestly.
"Quite sure" he answered, "for she
has confessed"
"Oh, sir" said Molly, "don't be
hard on her Think OF all she has
suffered, for if l who am innocent,
have suffered so keenly, what must
the guilty one have endured?"
Capt. Prime was deeply touched by
this appeal, though he answered light
": .Oh. l shan't hurt her, though l
don't think her crime has cost her
much sorrow; but you haven't said
you forgive me, Molly. DO your"
"Freely" she replied, "you are so
good yourself that it makes you
angry with wrong doers."
The captain WINGED. "Say rather
was too uncharitable and harsh;
| but have learned o lesson / shall
Y