The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-11-17
KISSING IN THE TWILIGHT.

$50 you think Mr.. Claiborne fine
looking, Minnie?" said one Of a group
of girls in a Summer boarding house to
friend who had arrived but the day
before. ''I thought he would be likely
to suit your tastes.n =,
"Fine lookingl That does not half
express it. think him just splendidW
exclaimed MINNIE Moore with genuine
enthusiasm. "But only to think of
his having daugter as old as 1 ami
Upon my word, l can't believe it,"
''You'l believe it, perhaps, when
you see her," laughed another one,
sallie Ross. "She is spending the sea-
son at Long Branch, but runs down
here every Saturday night and spends
Sunday with her father. They are
wonderfully fond of each other, and
kiss and go on like two lovers"
"Good graciousl" said Minnie, draw
ing a long breath. Show l should
like to-I mean-girls, don't you some
times envy his daughter"
'sYou meant" corrected sharp-wit-
ted Kittie Hurst, show you should like
to kiss him yourself. Do it, Mini"
'Yes, do it, Minnie, do it, dare
you'll" cried half-a dozen merry girls in
a breath.
"You know l never take dare,
girls,'' cried Minnie, her roguish, hand
some face turning crimson: ''but in
this case l fear l shall have to show
the white feather"
'sHeari hearl' cried all the girls in
chorus. ''Minnie Moore doesn't dare
to play a practical iokel"
NYes, would dare,' cried the little
witch, dehantly, "but how could !
manage itP"
''Nothiug easier" said Katie Hurst.
"You have only to sit in the dusky
parlor few minutes before the arrival
of Miss Claiborne, which will be about
twilight. Then, when the gentleman
enters, he will go straight to YOU
corner, of course, supposing you to bt
his darling daughter. Then, at The
same instant, you will rush toward
him, pretending to think he is your ia
ther, whom you are expecting. Ant
then-you get the kiss.'
son." cried Minnie, putting he
hands up to hide her blushing face al
the last suggestion, "my conscience
won't allow me. am not expecting
any father"
The girls all laughed derisively.
'I've known your conscience t.
stretch further than that on more thai
one occasion, Min, said Rachel Waf
den. "Come, will you dare do it, o
will you notP"
81 will dare anything, and you know
it; but you must solemnlyvow never l
betray me-"
They all solemly vowed and tn
plans were laid forthwith.
1t was just dusk on lovely Summe
evening. The country boarding-hous
where our scene is laid was overhunl
by the dropping branches of some FIN
old elms, whose thick foliage deepene
the gathering shadows in the unlighte
parlor. A tall, handsome man of mid
die age, whom Minnie had well de
scribed as splendid looking" wake
quickly up the path leading from til
gate, happy light in his dark eye
and a smile OF glad expectancy curvin
the rare, beautiful lips, shaded, but nj
hidden, by heavy, dark mustache.
81 think the train must be in,"
was saying to himself. ''or else my In
patience makes me think it late.
hope she won't disappoint me tn
evening my little darlingl"
Another moment and he was with
the hower.scented, dusky parlo
where curled up in the depths of
large arm chair in the furthe!est cor
er, and half hidden by the windo
drapery, sat girlish form whose hea
was beating like trip'hammer. /
advanced at once, with outstretchi
arms, close to the darkened recess.
"My dearest childr'
"Oh, papal'
And the next instant the little figu
was clasped close to his heart, and II
only one kiss, but "A perfect shower
them, fell eagerly upon her brow al
cheek and dewy, blushing lips.
But suddenly there was a lit
shrek, startled well feigned look
horror in the girls uplifted face, a
breaking away from his restraint
arms, she hid her crimson cheeks
both white hands and ialtered out:
''Oh, let me go, sir, this instantI {
what shall 1 dop Ill thought
was papap'
So he did, the little fraud, but
knew perfectly well thatit was anotf
girls ''papar whom she meant.
sit is | VINO should beg pardon,
dear young lady," sald the gentlemi
who had stepped back, and was
veying the lovely, shrinking lit
creature with a queer admixture
amusement, embarrassment and pi
ing admiration in his beautiful eyes.
But ere the words had fairly left
lips Minnie was gone, and throw
herself down upon the bed in her o
little room she buried her hot che