The Chickasaw messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1880-1900, 1888-06-28

as she vent bat now she walked
with Iagging steps, dreading to tell
the folks at home her trouble, yet
longing for their sympathy. 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 peuciled against the sum.
mer sky.
The great rose-bush beside her
mothers door was flaming with
red roses, and a light breeze scat
tered :he petals all around her as
she went up the path. Little Bet
ty ran out to meet her, crying joy
fully: 20, Molly have you come
home TO make a visit? How glad
I ami"
Molly could not answer, but TAX
ing her sisters hand in hers, she
went into the room where her
mother sat. What feeling of
comfort and rest her mothers pres
enee gave the poor girl; she bad
one friend at least, who would love
and trust her, come whatmight.
Without a word she threw her
self down at her mothers feet, and
burying her face in her lap, burst
into tears. mrs. Gowen stroked
her daughters hair silently and
waited for her to grow calmer. At
length she tod her story, much to
her mothers indignation.
"Did they not know you better
than that" she asked. "You who
have worked for them so long and
so we'll! Don't be afraid, Molly!
God is with the innocent and He
will override this for your good,
child. Behind frowning Provi-
dencc, God hides smiling face"
"And o, mother" continues MOL
~. Il was so happy before this
happened tor bad promised Robin
Moore to marry him; but now |
never can unless that money is
found, for people shan't say Robin
has married a thief"
The news Of Nolne's usgrace
spread like wildfre. Those who
euvied her pretty face and the
marked preference which hand
some Robin Moore showed for her,
pretended to believe her guilty,
and treated her with GOODNESS when
they met, but the majority Of her
neighbors were very indignant,
and pronounced Captain Prime a
'purse-proud old Pharisee.' @ese
sympathizing friends gave many
proofs OF their good will, and help
ed Molly in every way they could.
zone thing am learning moth
err, she said with smile, "and
that is to know my friends.
The next evening after Molly's
dismissal Robin came to see her
and was very bitter toward Cap
tain Prime, whom Molly defended
s'anehly. Circumstances were
all against me, she said, "and it is
no wonder he thought so. fever
the truth IS known he will feel bad
| ~ enough, for he is a just man.
Robin urged a speedy marriage,
but Molly would not hear of it.
"No," she replied, Il will never
marry you till this is cleared" In
vain he protested; 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 employ
ment, but the scandal outran her
and she was looked on with suspi-
cion. II any one did hire her for
a day, she had the modification OF
knowing she was watched. She
kept all of these things from her
mothers knowledge; but they
weighed on her proud spirit and
she grew pale and thin. Their lit
tie hoard Of money was all gone
and the meal was getting low, sc
poor Mo llys reflections were
gloomy enough as she sat by tn,
window one afternoon knitting anC