Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-02-11
HOW 1 WON HER.

u. b. RtcharQ6On IN Cne Sau r craHcIsco wasp
Perhaps it was not just proper, but ] was
not responsible for that, and nature so con-
stituted me that trifles never caused me to
lose much sleep. My brother Ben and I
occupied the same room on the second floor
of the rambling old homestead in the Napa
Valley. We slept in the same bed and
generally went halves on everything. We
had sister-Kate-an athlete by the way,
and the gayest Of girls-and mother-God
bless her memory-let us young ones run
the house pretty much as we pleased.
There was always company about. Either
Kate had some Of her school friends up
from the bay, or Ben and had chums on
hand who lad been invited up for shoot
or a rustication. During the summer
months there was no gayer house in the
valley and once year-at Christmas time
- we went In for grand ball and an all
night frolic.
alludes, had been away on business in
time for the Christmas festivities, although
ordered to do 80 in the most emphatic man
ner by a dozen of Kate's little notes which
had followed me about the county. Much
to my satisfaction, however, found at the
last moment that / could arrange it, so J
decided to give the folks a surprise and did
not send the customary telegram.
1t was Christmas Eve when I landed in
San Francisco, just in time to catch the
last train for Napa, and counted confident
" upon reaching home before eight o'clock.
But the slate had been arranged differently.
A string of accidents befell my train from
the time it left the Oakland mole. At six
teenth street we oollided with q freight
train. At Pinole we ran off the track. At
Vallejo junction there was Landslide, and
something was the matter with the ferry
boat. AS result of these detentious we
did not reach Vallejo till midnight, and it
was after 1 when was dropped at my sta,
tion. A soft rain was falling and had a
walk of two miles over dark, muddy road.
By the time reached the old farmhouse it
was 2 O'Clock, and there was not q light
burning. hesitated for a moment as to
whether or not l should wake the house,
and then it occurred to me that it would be
q shame to do so, for mother would be wor-
ried to death to find me in such pickle,
and would fuss around all the rest of the
night with hot drinks and fanpels and
things. So I decided to shin up over the
veranda and get into my room through the
window without disturbing anyone-a feat
/ had often successfully performed before.
Besides it would make my surprise Of the
next morning more complete. This plan l
at once proceeded to put into execution.
Noiselessly as cat Skinned up over the
veranda, and, raising the chamber window,
stepped inside. By the dim light I could
see that a form was in the bed, and could
hear the regular breathing of some one in
deep sleep. Thinking, of course,
that it was Ben, proceeded to disrobe as
quietly as possible, and was soon snugly en-
seconded on my side of the bed, without
having disturbed my companion. In three
minutes was fast asleep.
When I awoke the sunlight was strea m
ing in at the window, and, with dim con-
sciousness that something was wrong,
turned lazily on my pillow and met sight
that fairly paralyzed me. There, at the
further side of the bed, half risen from a
recliuing position-with two great brown
frightened eyes fixed on me like one in a
the most beautiful creature
had ever seen. For second / stupidity
returned the gaze-t0O much horriied to
move an eye winker-theD, seeing that she
was about to scream, l found my tongue.
"For Heavens sake" said, "what are
you doing in my bed?"
1t was not q brilliant beginning, but ]
could think of nothing else.
\ She did not nswer for an instant, and l
feared ano.her scream was coming, 30 !
hastened to say:
sDon't holer-for God sake, sweet lady,
there has been some horrible mistake
here"
"Who are youa" she finally asked.
ssI'm Stuart Taylor, Kate's BROTHER"
answered, and edged over toward the
outer rim of the bed, and tried to hide my
self as much as possible into the sheet. 81
came 10 here last night in the dark, and
thought you were my brother Benz
For moment louger that steady, ques-
tioning gaze was fixed upon me, and then
the look of terror melted gradually into one
OF mirth, The situation was cert ainly nc
laughing matter, bIt its comical feature
was not to be ignored, aud before we fully
realized our predicament both of US were
endeavoring to suppress snicker amid the
pillows.
sYou are certainly sensible GIRL"
finally said, ''to take this so coolly; and
now, if you will cover your face for mo
ment with the sheet, I'll get out of here as
fast as possible"
"But what will they say down stsirs2'
she faltered.
lyon must trust me for that" answer
ed; Il think can get out of here unobserv
ed"
Sand you won't tell?"
s.I'll die Fl st."
Apparently reassured, she dropped he
beautiful face into the pillow and pulled tht
covers over it, while sneaked quistly ou
and made my toilet at Maude s. gait
There were things lying around ove- The
chairs and on the floor that bewildered ms
somewhat, but never faltered or stopped
to take breath, and inside of two minutes
was dressed and out of there.
As good luck would have it, nobody wa'
get stirring about the place, SO I man
aged to swing of the veranda unobservet