Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-03-04

lOlded over the top and it'll go as snug
as thief in mill, right a top Of my
bags OF meal"
Away he ratified over the stony road
as he spoke and poor Mary ran back
into the kitchen to cry herself into
second Niobe.
"Oh, my letter, my letter." sobbed
she; why was l such an idiot as to put
it there?"
Miss Polly Pepper, gaunt spinster
OF very uncertain age, and very GER
tain infirmity of temper, opened the
bag of seed corn as the squire drove
off.
Might a-brought it BEFORE" said
she. Promised it to us last fall.
do despise these folks that are always
putting off things. Mercy upon us!
what's this?" as she drew out the note;
some receipt that that shiftless Mary
tucked away here, to get 1t out Of the
way? No, it amt. It's love letter
and to me!-'My dearest Maryland
signed George George Washington
Bergamot, that's his mare. Well. I
declare! Amt he far goro? "All oppo-
sition.' l spose he mea Mary and
my two brothers-in-law hat think
woman over forty hain't no business
to marry? But I'll Sc" EN- furder
afore I'll let 'em overtrump my matri-
onial prospects-see If / don't! Tell
him with my own lips OF course I
will! I'll go right over at once. De-
lays is dangerous! And if he really is
in such hurry"
Miss Polly's fingers trembled as size
took her little cork-screwy curls out
of their papers, and pinned on fresh
collar, tied by a blue ribbon. "Blue's
the color Of love-" said she to her
self, with shipper, land 1t was 80 ro-
mantle Of my dear George to think
of proposing In bad of seed corn"
The squire was at his supper when
Miss Pepper walked in, flushed with
her long expedition on foot.
''Set down and have bite, won't
your" said the squire. MARY, fetch
clean plate"
Miss Pepper took advantage Of the
momentary absence of her step-daugh-
ter-elect to proceed directly to bust
ness.
George cried she, almost hysteri-
cally, Il am yours,"
"Eh!" said the squire.
Forever and ever!" said Miss Pep
per, flinging herself upon the collar
of his coat.
"Are you crazy said the squire,
jumping up.
"You asked me to be your wife,"
said Miss Pepper, meltingly.
Il didn't!' said the squire
Then what does this letter mean?
Er?" demanded Miss Polly. cts as
clear declaration of love as ever was
writ. And good ground to sue on"
The squire stared at the sheet Of pa
per as Miss Pepper waved it triumph
antly over his head.
But didn't write itv' gasped he.
Then who did," demanded Miss
Pepper.
Just at this moment, Mary, enter
ing with fresh tea and clean plate,
caught sigNt of the letter.
Its mine" she cried, with a sud-
den dyeing of the cheek and glitter
of the eyes. "My letter! How dare
you read it, Miss Pepper?"
Il got it out of the bag of seed corn"
protested the spinSter
And l put it there for safe-keep-
Ing" blushingly acknowledged Mary
Bergamont.
"Who wrote it" sternly demanded
the squire.
And Mary confessed.
George Lake, papa!'
Miss Pepper went home. crying
heartily with mortified pride and dis
appointed expectations. And the squire |
came to the conclusion that True Love
would have its way in spite of all dis
senting parents.
Papa" said Mary, may 1 have
George?"
81 don't care" said the spire.
And that, in his case, passed for an
affirmation. But the squire remains a
widower still, and Miss Peppers |
chances grow smaller by degrees and
beautifully less"