, 1888-06-03

about your money! What do you
meant
Come, comer' said the captain, an
grily, 'this won't do, for you see you
are found out. / wouldn't have believed
it Of you'll / would have trusted you
anywherel l suppose 1 ought to send
you to jail; but 1 won't on your mothers
account. II you will restore the money
I'll forgive you; but If you do not 1 shall
send you home without you pay, and
everybody shall know why, 30 that they
may not get deceived in you as 1 have"
Poor Molly crept of to bed with a
bursting heart and wept through the long
hours of the night. Not only the
thoughts of her disgrace, which was ter
rible to the proud girl, kept her sleepless;
but the thoughts Of her mother and sister,
who were dependent upon her for sup
port. How would they live now2
As Molly turned from the window Mrs.
Prime came in. Her mothers heart was
filled with pity at sight of the girls pallid
face, and taking her cold hand she said,
"Keep up good courage, child. / believe
in your innocence, and some time the
money will be found, 1 am sure"
Tears sprang In MoIly's eyes at the kind
words. One at least believed In her and
trusted her still. How the thought COM
forted her.
That night, when all her preparations
wece made for leaving, she took Kitty
up to kiss her good-by. The child was
very dear to Molly, who took a great
deal of care of her; but Fifty struggled
angrily, crying out: go 'wayi % san
touch mel Oo's q bad, wicked girl, for
my daddy says soP'
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 into her hand.
Don't give up, Molly" she whis-
pered; remember / trust you" "God
bless you for thatl" said Molly fervently
as she turned away to hide the falling
tears.
When she had 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 assured her again
that the whole world was not against
her.
How merriiy 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 sym
pathy. 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 penciled against the summer
syk.
The great rose bush beside her mothers
door was flaming with red roses, and q
light breeze scattered the petals all around
her as she went up the path. Little
Betty won out to meet her, crying joy
fully, 'Oh, Mollyl have you come home
to make a visitH How glad 1 ami"
Molly could not answer, but taking
her sisters hand In hers, she went into
the room where her mother sat. What
a feeling of comfort and rest her mothers
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 burytng
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 told her story,
much to her mothers indignation.
Ibid they not know you better than
that2" she asked. "You who have worked
for them 80 long and 80 WE'LL Don't be
afraid, Mollyi God is with the innocent
and he will override this for your good,
child. Behind a frowning Providence,
God hides a smiling face"
"And, oh mother" continued Molly,
II was 30 happy before this happened,
for / had 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 Molly's disgrace spread
like wildfire. Those who envied her hei
pretty face and the marked preference
which handsome Robin Moore showed
for her, pretended to believe her guilty
and treated her with GOODNESS when the
met, but the majority Of her neighbor
were very indignant, and pronounced
Capt. Prime a ''purse proud old Pharisee.'
These s~ymnathizing friends gave many
proofs of their good will, and helped
Molly in every way they could.
"One thing l am learning, mother, u
she said with a smile, "and that Is to
know my friends"
The next evening after Molly's dis.
missal, Robin came to see her and was
very bitter towards Capt. Primo, whom
Molly defended stanchly. "Circum.
stances were all against me-" she said,
land 1t is nc wonder he thought so. II
ever the truth is known he will feel badly
enough, for he is q just man."
Robin urged a speedy marriage, but
Molly would not hear of it. NO." she
replied, ~ will never marry you till thit
Is cleared" In vain he protested: she
remained firm and he was forced to sub,
NIT, vowing vengeance, however, wher
the truth would be known.
Drearily the weeks crept by, and still
Molly was without work. Day after day
she sought employment, but the scanda
outran her and she was looked upon witt
suspicion. II any n did hire her for {
day, she had the modification of know
ing she was watched. She kept all thesC
things from her mothers knowledge
but they weighed on her proud spirit ant
she grew pale and thin. Their httlt
hoard of money was all gone, and thu
meal was getting low, so poor Molly's re
Elections were gloomy enough as she sa
by the window one afternoon knitting
and watching the dusky road. Suddenl,
she dropped her work, crying: "Oh
motheri Capt. Prime is coming up tn