The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-02-09
A BAG OF RAGS.


into the room, as pretty Agatha For
sythe threw up the sash and leaned
out.
A deep voice below coming from a
form almost hidden by the syringa
bushes, said, softly:
"Is that you, 'Gathai"
"Yes," was the reply, given softly.
"Can't you come down7" said Dick
Reynolds, rather impatiently, looking
up at the smiling face.
ain little while, Dick, just as soon
as Grannie is asleep. She has just
gone to her room. You must be pa.
tient, Dick, DEAR" and the window
closed.
"Dlck, dear" was not very, patient,
however, and paced the walk for fif-
teen minutes before Agatha's blue
dress appeared at the door, with Agatha
in it. After very ardent greeting,
Dick said :
II declare it's too bad / can't come
and see you like other fellows come to
see their sweethearts l wonder what
makes your grandmother dislike me
so. I've never done her any harm, only
want her one graudchild. am not
bad character, have good position,
and why she will not let you marry
me, and yet is willing to give you to
that Dalford fellow is mystery
80, Grannie is getting old, you
know, Dick, and she fancies you are
exactly like your grandfather was,
who was her lover, and who almost
broke her heart
"And she's afraid I'll break yours,
darling? Well, we'll see,' and then a
long and very interesting conversation
followed. AT last Agatha declared she
must go in.
Don't fail, me 'Gatha," Dick said,
as he gave her his farewell kiss.
"Never fear" said 'Gatha, blushing
In the darkness, and she quickly disap.
peared in the house.
The next day G annie seemed to be
partiularly provoking, and tried Agath.
as patience sorely.
"What makes you look 80 happy"
she asked sternly, as 'Gatha sang, and
blushed and smiled to herself as she
went about the big drawing-room,
dusting and arranging the many knick
knacks.
Nothing" said Agatha
81 know better" replied her grand
mother sharply. 'It's that Dick Rey.
no|ds; Have you been writing tc
him ?"
"No.'
"Has he written to you?'
"No."
"Well, you've seen each other then.
'Gatha blushed guiltily, and then
lost her temper, which was such an
unusual thing for her to do, that hel
grandmother was quite startled.
II should think, Grannie, you'd be
ashamed of yourself, l love Dick
Reynolds, and always shall. If you
could give me just reason why
should not marry him, l would never
disobey you. But you cannot. You
say he will surely prove treacherous
like his grandfather Am like yor
because l am your granddaughter
No, Therefore / intend, as soon as op
portunity offers, to run off with Dick
since there is no other way. I tel
you frankly, / am sorry to be rude
But l do not see why l should allow
you to break my heart and Dick
tooW
'Gatha stopped. Two red spot
burned on her cheek, her clear gra,
eyes blazEd with anger and love.
Grannie recovered herself.
$50 this is the respect get, afte
twenty years of toll for you. Go t.
your room instantly. You shall neve
marry Dick Reynolds. Do you hea,
never
This did not strike terror to the girl
heart, for she possessed much of tn
obstinate will of her grandmother, ant
as Betsey often said, "When her min
were sot, it were sot aud it 'twere n
use to 60 ag'in her. So when she wa
ordered to her room she went quietly
and already her pretty, curly head ws
scheming for escape.
Agatha was not bad or willfl
girl. She possessed good, common
sense. As she said, if there was ju,
cause why, she would never have di
obeyed her grandmother. She ha
met Dick at one of the few parti'
given in the neighboring town, The
acquaintance had ripened into love, ar
Dick after obtaining Agathas consel
asked her grandmother for her in ma
ly words. He received decided ar
cold "No," and was told never to sho
himself at the farm again. Dick di
however, manage to occasionally ST
Agatha, who openly rebelled at SUI
treatment. And botl' had devised
plan that had cost weeks in CONGO
ting, their interviews being he
- generally in the manner describ
above.
A week passed after their last int
view. 'Gatha was kept under str
surveillance by her grandmother.
1t was twelve o'clock at mig
Gatha, who slept with her graz
mother now, the better to be watcht
rose softly from her bed, very sof
for fear of waking the old lady, W
was a very light sleeper. A stone h
been thrown at the window. w
noiseless hand she let white note,
ken from about her neck, down into t
garden beneath.
"What are you up for, 'Gatha," 81
her grandmother suddenly, sitting
, in bed 'Gatha stared
. 80, nothing" she said, pouring ou
glass of water, and, after drinking
J. going back to bed.
y Dick, below in the garden, caus
e. the note, opened it and read;
IL "DARLING Dick