Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1903-07-03
just after dark. and nobody be any the

WISER
He looked at a telegram from his
agent In Montreal. and smiled. Then
be frowned
II dunno" he mused. 81 dunno as
it's fair to Celinda TO force her into
1t. Reckon she'll be feelin' pretty
bad"
He heard the whistle of the night
boat rs she fused up to the long
wharf. I'd like to wiring the neck of
that whip-poor-will." mused Sim, TAX
Ing his position against the tree he
had mentioned to Celinda. Makes me
feel that lonesome, 1t gives me the
chills.n
The inhabitants of Four Corners
were all indoors enjoying their eyen-
ing meal. and the stage, after vain
| ly waiting at the wharf to bring up
passengers, crawled emptily into Four
Corners.
"Juss So" said Sim placidly contin-
| ling TO smoke. "Juss so. She amt
soln' to come up in the stage, and have
half the place rushin' out to jeer at
her. Not much. No. sir. Not much.
BY and large, Celinda's pretty cute"
Are you there, Sim?" asked pleas
ant voice, as the parsons wife ap-
preached tree.
You bet I'm here. Mrs. Clarke"
said Sim with a 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 husbandf Yes; he's very hun
CRY, Sim. Don't be longer than you
can help"
I've 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 good man. SIM" said the
little lady, and tripped away to join
her husband.
| Presently, as Sim stood leaning
against tree, slight figure stole
| timidly through the dusk. In its arms
1t carried a bundle. A sob rose to Its
lips as 1t looked at the cozy little
house. Then 1t turned sadly away.
Club, who was weary, began to cry.
Il wouldn't go If l We're you. Celin-
da." said Sim, softly.
| Celnda gave little sob also, then
choked 1t back. Il wanted just to
have one look at 1t again. | might
have known you'd be here. Sim."
| "Of course" said Sim, quietly.
Didn't | say SOP
"They laughed at me-" faltered Ce-
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. 1t 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?"
| 'Anywbere-anywhe I'm going
| into the bush," she said, fiercely Il
haven't friend left here. 1t serves
me right. I'm only grieying for
Clubs sake"
| IL wouldn't do that If | was you,
Celinda. Here's your own house wait
ing for you. all fixed up cumfera ble."
"My-own--house?"
"Of course Sim took Club from
her tired arms. "Your own house, Ce-
linda. Shall | carry the little feller in
for you?"
But | sold It."
well, | bought 1t back for you
You've no call to thank me-" said Sim
"You You" She knelt at his feet
Sim held Club with one hand and
raised her with the other. "I'll go
away If you don't want me-" he whis-
pered. brokenly. Only, there's a dep
utatlon waitin' to welcome you back.
and parsons in the parlor. Brace up.
Celinda. Brace up"
'Sim, dear, will you forgive me?"
she whispered. and kissed him with
a heart and a half. I've 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 cordality. Would you
please marry us. and then we'll have
supper?' she said with characteristic
decision; and the parson understood.
The deputation" staggered in MS the
brief ceremony finished you kin git
out again." said Sim. you've been
asleep behind the barn.
Ain slep' wink. Wansh earn ten
dollars" hiccoughed old Parker. I'VE,