Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-06-17

said Sim, with smile; "but it's sort
Of lonesome"
you'll be very gentle with her."
hesitated the minister's pretty wife
You'll be very gentle with her, Sim.
True love is never harsh or unkind."
Sim nodded cheerfully. You bet I'll
be gentle. Minister in there?" He
pointed to the little parlor, in which
the lamp shone brightly.
"My husband? Yes; he's very hum
CRY, Sim. Don't be longer than you
can help"
eve got deputation Of our lead
ing citizens hiding behind the barn"
grinned Sim. HAD to pay old Parker
ten dollars afore he'd come. and Chris
johnson five dollars; but they've
learned their speech"
! you're a good man, SIM" said the
little lady, and tripped away to join
her husband.
Presently, as Sim stood leaning
against a tree, slight figure stole
timidly through the dusk. In it's arms
it carried a bundle. A sob rose to it's
| lips as it looked at the cozy little
house. Then it turned sadly away.
Club, who was weary, began to cry.
81 wouldn't go if l were you, Celin-
da," said Sim, softly.
| Celinda gave little sob also, then
choked it back. IL wanted just to
have one look at it again. l might
have known you'd be here. Sim"
"Of course" said Sim, quietly.
Didn't say SOP"
"They laughed at me-" faltered Co
linda II went to the Bank Of Eng
land with Mr.. Gould, and they were
quite satisfied with my proofs. The
only difficulty was that there wasn't
any money. It had never been lodged
at the bank at all. and no one knew
what had become Of it."
She turned away bitterly
"Where are you going to put up. Ce-
linda? 2"
into the bush." she said, fiercely. Il
haven't a friend left here. 1t serves
me right. I'm only grieving for
Clubs sake"
81 wouldn't do that If 1 was you,
Celinda. Here's your own house wait
ing for you, all fixed up cumferable."
"My-own-housew
"Of course" Sim took Club from
her tired arms. "Your own house, Ce-
linda Shall carry the little Teller in
for you?"
But l sold It,"
You've no call to thank me-" said Sim.
"You! Your She knelt at his feet.
Sim held Club with one hand and
raised her with the other. 'Ill go
away If you don't want me-" he whis-
pered, brokenly. Only. there's dep
utation waitin' to welcome you back,
and parsons in the parlor. Brace up,
Celinda. Brace up"
"Sim, dear, will you forgive mey
she whispered. and kissed him with
heart and a half. 1--WE been wicked,
so unkind. so brutal to you"
you've kissed me-" said Sim.
''Kissed me! That answers every
thing"
He led her proudly to the house as
she wiped away her tears. Once in
side, Celinda ''braced up" and received
the greetings Of the parson and his wife
with shy cordially. would you
please marry us, and then We'll have
supper? she said, with characteristic
decision; and the parson understood.
1.-THE deputation'' staggered in as the
brief ceremony finished. you kin git
out again." said Sim. you've been
asleep behind the barn."
cain slep' a wink. VANISH earn ten
dollars" hiccoughed old Parker. I'VE,
the undershined-' He looked help
lessly round.
"Citi- citizens" hiccoughed Jimmer-
son.
1--WE, the undershined-"
"Well, you kin juss go and shine
somewheres else" said Sim. I'm g.
married man. l am, and l can't have
two cranks like you foolin' round"
After making three unsuccessful at
tempts to find the door the deputation
withdrew.
well take them home" said the
parson, making sign to his wife, And
they followed the devious footsteps Of
the deputation.
Outside, the river murmured at it's
own sweet will. All the happy souls
| who had ever loved shone down upon
them with radiant, starlit eyes as Sim
placed sleepy Club within the empty
cradle. Slowly, slowly Celnda turned
and hid her face upon his breast
Black and White.
Cause and Effect.