The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-02-28

without coming to a decision. The
something occurred to hasten bis determ
nation.
The winter, which had set in early an
Severely, had again become mild, and ate
alternate snow storms and thaws, at last
In the middle OF December, with brigh
! sky, there came hard frost. Then ska
ting began. Now, no American can keel
of the ice, and SO 1t happened that on TIL
Ice near the StadlgarLen Lionel was iounI
disporting by the two Schneeweiss maid
ems and by Miss, Warren. There was nj
escape from the ladies here. II woult
have been objectionable rudeness not Il
have offered his hand TO assist the yet IN
! practiced skaters, Miss Bertha and Mis-
Luise; and 1t would have been imbecility
when able 10 skate with such charming
skater as Miss Warren to refuse himself
the pleasure OF taking her pretty gloyed
hand in his and Of skimming over the lex
with that hand resting in his own. It'll
not likely that Lionel would, nor did he
withhold the expression Of the intense
pleasure which 1t gave him to be with
Rachel. She spoke English huently
though now and then using some term
with timidity, being uncertain whether
she used 1t correctly.
"Ispoke very little English at Warsaw, u
she said: "nearly always French or Ger
man."
"And Polish?" Lionel said.
"Polish very seldom since my father
died. He spoke 1t with me from child.
hood"
"And which language do you like
best?"
"My mothers tongue. l should think
every one would be most attached to the
language learnt on mothers knee"
On the evening OF that first days skat-
ing with Miss Warren, Lionel had no
longer any doubt as to whether he might
make Rachel a present. He would offer
her one, and it should be the most appro-
pirate token Of his love which he coHld
procure. But what would his uncle Henry
say? Since his parents had died, his
uncle, Henry Marston, had been, as it
were, a second father to him, and his
guardian. He was OF age, but he would
not think it right TO make-a declaration to
Rachael without his uncle's consent.
Should he write at once? Would an an
swer arrive within fifteen days? He felt
sure that his uncle would consent to his
happiness. At any rate, he would order
the present for Rachael. He was not fit
for study, and as there was announced on
the theatre play bill for that evening a
comedy OF Berthold Auerbach, Dds Eros.
e,lde Wort, he went to see 1t.
Now, this comedy represents ein rerE-
ircitel scIlener Pr0fssor-a desperately shy
Professor-who is in love with young
lady, but who cannot bring himself TO say
word to her OF his feelings. The young
lady in question is staying at the house OF
some relatives OF the Professor, who leave
him purposely alone with their ward,
hoping TO bring matters to climax, but
in vain. The Professor grows eloquent on
every topic but the one that is burning on
the tip OF his tongue, and in his inmost
soul, but over which the lava OF his dis
tress flows in torrents He must say some
thing, and would iain to say the right
thing, and avow his love, but Is will niGht
herduS-it won't come out-this volcano
gives forth all but the flame.
The relatives OF the Professor, bent upon
his popping the question, devise plan.
The Professor always took nap after din
ner. One day, after his Just concluded in
terview with their ward, he had retired to
to the study, to take one, as usual.
SHOWS the time" said the Professors
lady relatives. "When he wakes, you 90
into the study, embrace him, and congrat-
ulate him on his engagement to Maria.
II he says that he does not know what
you mean, say, why, don't you suppose
We didn't overhear you propose to Maria,
and you will see that he will believe
it, be delighted, and act with
Maria as II she were really engaged to
him."
No sooner said than done. The PROBES.
sor awakes, yawns, steps out OF his room.
is Rugged by his relative and congratu-
lated. He is astonished, and asks what is
the matter.
"Why, old fellow, the matter! You're
engaged; and right glad We are that you
have made such q choice. Maria will
be an excellent wife. We overheard
itall."
"Overheard what?"
"Why, Of course, heard you pop the
question"
GLOW? when? Dear me, l know moth
ing about this. had some talk with
Maria, after dinner, but / said nothing,
that remember, that could be construed
into proposal"
Nothing that you remember; but she
will not forget so easily"
"Dear me, you say that l proposed TO
her, and what did she say?"
''Why, yes, of course"
"Well, I'm right glad, II this be so; but,
really, don't remember saying q word on
this subject. Dear me, how very extra
ordinary"
Here the Professors relative Is called
away, and he, left alone in the sitting
room, talked aloud to himself: "What can
l have said2 | know that drank rather
Qopiously OF that Hungarian wine. Did /,
thus warmed into unconscious eloquence,
let my secret escape? All here Is MariaW
In the interview that ensues the Pro-
lessor discovers by Maria's words that he
has been taken in, that he never did make
any proposal, and separates from her
highly indignant at the trick played upon
him by his relatives, without, however;
speaking "das erlosende WORT the word
that could relieve his mind and release
him from the torments OF love. And
Maria, learning, by too hasty congratu-
lation OF the lady Of the house, that she
has been nearly exposed TO be engaged to
a man who gould mot find it in him to
propose To her, is also very indignant,
and insists upon leaving the house, sends
her maid to pack up her things and goes
to dress. She returns and Is about to
take leave, when the Professor appears,
ont Of breath.
81 come from the station" says he,
painting. "HaI what is thisP Maria is
WI
sVl4 Issh yerlfsss dieses Hausl"-"1 leave
this housed"
"Ah, Maria, could not speak to you,
but-resd this" says the poor man, put
ting telegram into her hands; 81 went
to the station and telegraphed to your
parents and asked their consent; and here
yop have their answer" and he opened
Bis arms and she, having read her late
submits to his bearllke embrace, while the
relatives, much relieved, congratulate
II wnNNR n