The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-06-30

lagc, and once week she carried it
home. Generally | went with her; but
there was overwork for the men to do
one night, and could not get toii. I fret
ted and fumed about it, and when the
time came I couldn't for the life of me
help slipping away to stair-hcad win
dow to try and catch q glimpse of her.
Sure enough, did see her Il good way
on the road, with her little basket on
her arm, but there was some one with
her. 1t was too far to see ihccs, but |
knew the light-gray coat he wore, and
it was Mr.. Richard James. lie was
bending over heras though talking very
earnestly and when some one inside
called" IIathron!" !" and | could stay no
longer, they were still going on close to-
gcther-her face turned up and his bent
down, both earnest and eager in what
ever they were talking Of.
went back to my work, but I kept
that picture before my eyes all the while.
| thought of it until it seemed to be
burned into my heart in fiery outlines.
4NibNl biij II htN' Olll hiltNt
have happened if Mr.. James had walk
ed the same way by chance but could
not look at it that way--or perhaps |
would not.
1t was like my sullly, brooding ma
ture, too, never to say one word about
it to Annie, but to keep on thinking and
watching in silence. | found out more
than wanted to in that way; for one
day when | had made an excuse to enter
the women's w0rk-room after Mr.. james
had gone there, plainly saw him slip Il
little note slyly into Annie's pocket. The
time had como around for her to go
over to Miss RedfOrd's with her work !;
but that evening, instead Of going with
her, | watched her-hiding like Il thief
behind trees and buildings on the road.
She went alone and came alone, and L
saw nothing for my pains. / did at
church next Sabbath, though. When
the hymn was given out Mr.. James, sit
ting in the handsome family pew, sec
ing Annie in doubt rs to the number
for the old clergyman didn't always
speak distinctly-rcachcd over and took
her book to find the place (shc sat but a
pew behind him). When he gave il
bacl; | saw that there was something
between the leaves, and come what
might, | would have Snatchcd it; but al
that moment Miss Rcdf0rd, who sat il
the side isle, whispered to Annie to show
her the number, and lost the chance
for in passing the books il was hidden
That it was note | knew by the white
glimmcr Of the edge as we'll as if | haC
seen the whole of it, and surely us | live
| saw Annie give Mr.. James a meaning
smile as he passed Us Oh the church-patl
going home.
Miss Rcdford looked ut Annie as il
she knew something of it too, as sh'
stepped after her father and mother int
the carriage. They were carriage people
tho RedfOrds-and the old folks loOkcC
down on everybody else. There was
fcud between them and the proprietor
of the factory, and they never spoke t.
either the Williamscs or Mr.. james; st
there was no social chatting on th
porch, and the Williams people smilct
sarcastiCally, and the old RCdtOrCls scOwl
cd and looked naughty, until they were
all fairly shut in and driven away. No
Ir. Jamcs-hc was too gCntlcmanly
, nor Miss RCdfOrd-shc was too sweet
, The fcud was among the old folks. Tn
: farmers families madc up for their i'll
/ temper though, and half the gcntcc
people from the villas We're smirkin;
| and bowing to each other.
The factory hands who were at churct
) a dozen in all, | uppose--hurricc
home pcll-mell by short cuts, not to los
, their dinners, and of them all only Anni
and | were left She was waiting fo
me to join her, II thing | didn't meal
TO do.
: leaned against the iron railing Of tn
church-yard, wishing | was sound aslerl
, under one Of the green mounds, but onl,
looking darker and sulliier, no doubt
than usual, until saw her turn toWarC
= rae. Then leaped the railing and wen
AWAY lit'N u l'tlNh' 'il'l NV -
home, but spent the day in Baldwin,
Woods alone.
| On Monday / was ut work as usual
= 1t was the third of July, and the Fourth
= of course, was to be Il holiday. Their
. were to be grand celebrations mt Bald
{ win, and the show pieces for the evening
j, were being finished at our place, undc
' the superintendent Of Mr., Richar'
, James. Itwas hard to keep the youngc
, hands mt their work. They We're hal
- crazy about the Fourth, and | suppos
= every one of them had a pistol. Ineve
cared for banging ut nothing, and shoul,
not have had one even if hau felt differ
/ Cntly. One young fellow tried hard al
= day to sell me his; like goose he ha
t bought two, and was sorry for it.
: About dusk | went to get my supper
and was coming back when, among tn
: shadows, l saw two figures standin
1 whispering together. felt in Il momen
= who they must be, and got close enOug
t hear their voices. 1t was rs | thought
, One was Annie May, the other Richar
James. They were parting, but hear,
! enough in the last few words;
"EIevoA will be the best time; tn
1 moon Will he up by then. I'll have tn
carriage waiting under the the two elm
. in BaldWin's Woods. Be certain abou
the hour, for the down-train starts
I quarter TO twelve. Good-by-God Bile,