The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-05-13

ant voice as the parsons wife ap
preached the tree.
You bet I'm here, Mrs. Clarke" sait
| Sim, with smile, but it's sort of lone
some"
You - you'll be very gentle witt
her." heSitated the minister's prett.
wife. You'll be very gentle with her
Sim. True love is never harsh or un
kind
Sim nodded cheerfully. You bet II
be gentle. Minister in there?" H
pointed to the little parlor in which tn
lamp shone brightly.
my husband? Yes; he's very hun
cry, Sim. Don't be longer than yo'
can help
I've got a deputation of our lead
ing citizens hiding behind the barn,
grinned Sim. Had to pay old Parke
ten dollars afore he'd come. and Chri!
Jimmerson five, but they've learned
their speech ssaSso<
you're a good man. Sim," said th'
little lady, and tripped away to joll
her husband.
Presently, as Sim stood leaning
against a tree. slight figure stole tim
idly through the dusk. In it's arms i
carried bundle. A sob rose to its lip!
as it looked at the cosy little house
Them turned sadly away. Club, Wht
was weary, began to cry.
Il wouldn't 60 if l were you, Celin
da." said Sim, softly.
Celinda gave a little sob also, ther
choked it back. II wanted just L
have one look at it again. l might have
known you'd be here. Sim"
"Cf course" said Sim, quietly
Didn't / say so?"
They laughed at me-" faltered &c
linda. Il went to the Bank Of England
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 a
the bank at all. and no one knew wha'
| had become of it.
She turned away bitterly.
"yvhere are you going to put up, Ce
linda?'
"Anywhere - anywhere. I'm going
into the bush," she said, fiercely. %
| haven't a friend left. 1t serves me
right. I'm only grieving for Club:
sake"
Il wouldn't do that if was you, &C.
linda. Here's your own house waiting
for you all fixed up cumferable."
"My-own-house?"
"Of course" Sim took Club from
her tired arms. "Your own house, Ce
linda. Shall 1 carry the little feller IL
for you?"
But 1 sold it,"
"We!l. bought it back for you
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. "I'll &c
away If you don't want me-" he whis'
pered. brokenly. "Only, there's a dep
utation 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 heart
and q half. 1--WE been wicked, so un.
kind, 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 cordiality. Would you
please marry US, and then we'll have
supper" she said with characteristic
decision, and the parson understood.
The "deputation" staggered in ds the
brief ceremony finished. "You kin git
out agin," said Sim. you've been
asleep behind the barn"
"Ain't slep' a wink. Wansh earn ten
dollahs," hiccoughed old Parker. 1--WE,
the underestimate" He looked help
lessly around.
"Citi-citizens," hiccoughed Jimmer'
son.
"We, the undershined-"
"Well, you kin juss go and shine
somewheres else" said Sim. Pm a
married man, am, and can't have
two cranks like you foolin' round"
After making three unsuccessful at
tempts to find the door the deputation
withdrew.
"We'il take them home" said the
parson, making a sign to his wife.
And they followed the devious foot
steps Of the deputation.
Outside. the river murmured at its
own sweet will. All the happy souls
| who had ever loved shone down upon
them with radiant eyes as Sim placed
sleepy Club within the empty cradle
Slowly, slowly. Celinda turned and hid
her face upon his Observation-Disclosures
Telegraph.