The Forrest City times., 1903-06-05

He heard the whistle Of the night
beat IS she fused up To the long
wharf I'D like TO wiring the neck
Of that whip-poor-will,- unused Sim,
I taking his position against the tree
I he had mentioned 10 Celinda. Makes
me feel that lonesome, it gives me the
+ ehills.''
The inhabitants Of Four Corners
were all in doors enjoying their even
I ing meal, and the stage. after vainly
/ waiting al the wharf 10 bring up
4 passengers, erawled empty into Four
( Corners.
"Juss So said Sim. plac;dly. con-
tin ling To smoke. "Juss 50. She
amt goin' 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 a
/ pleasant voice, as the parsons wife
approached a tree.
You bet I'm here. Mrs. Clarke"
said Sim. with a smile; but its sort
of lonesome
"Nou-you1l 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 IN
| kind
Sim nodded eheerfully. 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 hun
CRY. Sim. Don't be longer than you
can help"
I've got a deputation of our lead
ing citizens hiding behind the barn"
grinned Sim. Had to pay old Parker
| SO afore he'd come. and Chris jim
merson s.; 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 a tree, a slight figure stole
timidly through the dusk. In its
arms il carried a bundle. sob rose
to its lips as it looked at the cosy lit
tie house. Then it turned sadly away.
Club, who was weary, began to cry.
Il wouldn't go if | were you, Ce-
linda" said Sim. softly.
Celinda gave a little sob also, then
choked it back. II wanted just to
| have enc look at ii again. | might
have known you'd be here, Sim"
of course" said Sim quietly.
Didn't l say SOP
They laughed at me- faltered &C.
linda. Il went to the Bank Of En-
gland with Mr.. Gould, and they were
quite satisfied with my proofs. The
only difficulty was that there wasn't
any money. II 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 pat up,
Celinda -
Observation-Disclosures. I'm going
into the bush," she said fercely. u
haven't friend left here 1t serves
me right. I'm only grieving for
Clubs sake"
Il wouldn't do that if | was YOU,
Celinda. Here's your own house wait
liiS itI YOU at HAtu up CuHllcTdDle.
y,-own-house."
"Of course Sim took Club from
her tired arms. Your own house
Celinda. Shall carry the little teller
in for you?'
But | sold it."
well, | bought it back fer 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'm 90
away if you don't want me-" he
whispered brokenly. "Only. there's
a deputation 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 half I've been wicked,
so unkind, 50 brutal to YOU"
"IonNe kissed me said Sim.
kissed me! That answers every
thing"
He led her proudly to the house as
she wiped away her tears. Once inside
|
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.
The deputation" staggered in as
the brief ceremony finished. you kin
git out agin," said Sim. You've been
asleep behind the barn"
"Ain't slep' n wink. VANISH earn
ten dollars" hiccoughed old Parker.
I'VE, the undershined-" He looked
helplessly round.
"Citi-citizens," hiccoughed JIM
merson.
I'VE. the underestimate
Well. YOU kin juss go and shine
somewheres else" said Sim. I'm a
married man. | am, and | can't have
tive eranks like YOU foolin' round"
After making three unsuccessful
attempts to find the door the depu-
tation withdrew.