The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-05-12
Reckon she'll be feelin' prettv

lie heard the whistle OF the night
boat as she fused up to the long
wharf. I'D like to wiring the neck
of that whip-poor-will,'' unused Sim.
taking his position against the tree
he had mentioned to Cclinda. "Makes
me feel that lonesome, it gives me tho
chills."
The inhabitants Of Four Corners
were all in doors enjoying their even
ing meal, and the stage, after vainlv
waiting at the wharf to bring IN
passengers, crawlcd empty into Fonr
Corners.
''Juss So said Sim, placidly, con-
timing to smoke. ''Juss so. Shc
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 q
pleasant voice, as the parsons wife
approached tree.
You bet I'm here. Mrs. Clarke.''
said Sim, with a smile; but it's sort
of lonesome"
''You-you'll be very gentle with
her." hesitated the minister's pretty
wife. "You'l be very gentle with her,
Sim. True love is never harsh or I'M
kind"
Sim nodded cheerfully. "You bet
I'll be gentle. Minister in there??' He
pointed to the little parlor, in which
no In, c.h 1,,,Srr
MY husband? 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
$40 afore he'd come, and Chris jim
merson S.; 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, a slight figure stole
timidly through the dusk. In it's
arms it carried q bundle. \ sob rose
to it's Ups 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 l were you, &C.
linda" said Sim, softly.
Celinda gave a little sob also, then
cholled 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 l say sop
''They laughed at me-" faltered &C.
linda. II 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. 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,
Celinda:'
Observation-Disclosures. I'm going
into the bnsh,' she said fiercely. Il
haven't friend left here. It serves
me right. I'm only grieving For
Clubs sake"
II wouldn't do that if I was you,
Celinda. Here's your own house wait
ing for you all fixed up cumferable.' -
My--own-house.
"Of course" Sim took Club from
her tired arms. "Your own house
Celinda. Shall 1 carry the little Teller
in for you?'
"Rut l sold it,
r H.
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. iii so
away if you don't want me-" he
whispered broken1y. "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 90
she whispered, and kissed him with a
heart and a half. 1--WE been wicked
so nnkind, so brutal to you.'
"Iou've kissed me-" said Sim
"Kissed me! That answers every
thing"
He led her proudly to the house rs
she wiped away her tears. Once inside
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 as
the brief ceremony finished. 'You kin
git out agin," said Sim. ''You've been
asleep behind the barn"
"-\in't slep' wink. VANISH earn
ten dollars" hiccoughed old Parker
I'VE. the undershined-" He looked
helplessly round.
"Citi-citizcns," 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
two cranks like you foolin' round"
After making three unsuccessful
attempts to find the door the depu
| tation withdrew.
'We'll take them home" said the