The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1893-10-14
A MEAN TRICK.

hewould none the less have been anxious
for further information.
However, he was denied the satisfac-
ton Of even well grounded suspicion.
Ghe had such battling sort of manner.
Never had he been able to surprise her
into an admission of anything, however
trihing which might be taken as an in
dication that he aroused within her emo
tions of any kind whatever. 1t was GER
tainly very difficult to know what to do.
Many times had he almost taken ad-
vantage of momentary silence on her
part. Times without number had he
nearly clasped her in his arms as she
pirouetted past him, but she was too
quick for him. The boldest effort on
bis.part had been made one evening aft
er he had brought friend to call upon
her. Minna, Bob and the friend had all
sat in the kitchen and pulled taffy.
Next evening Bob said sheepishly:
do you know, Minna, what key was
tellin me last nightT"
"How could know without you told
meT' returned Minna, with spirit. She
was washing dishes, and she clattered
them in the pan.
"He was asking me if was going to
marry you"
"And what did you tell himY"
"Told him didn't know"
"That wasright," said Minna, swirling
the dishcloth around.
"And he-he said was a burned fool
fl didn't"
Minna went off into peals of laughter.
Then she sobered up.
Didn't whatY'
"Didn't marry you"
$50 you would be-if you got the
chance" was the prompt reply.
''That's what told him-if 1 got the
chance, but l can't get the chance" de-
jectedly.
"Whet right had you to tell him you
couldn't get the chancej"
"'Cause You amt ever giveit to me-"
mo, an1never will, ," returned Minua,
with emphasis.
''Jes' what-I thought" ," said Bob dis
mally, Guess I'd better 60"
'Guess ye had, remarked his hostess
Hospitality. AS she spoke she wiped out
the dishpan and hung it up on nail be-
bind. "If l was you, I'd learn a few
things before l came courtin."
sBut you're a big sight clevern me-"
answered Bob meekly.
'GrhAt's So" said Minna laconically
qgBob passed detected ont Of the kitchen
door,
On thinking over the interview on the
way home, Bob thought that on the
whole he had not made much progress.
A few days later hope returned, bright
eyed and smiling, and Bob determined
TO make another attempt to secure the
elusive Minnh. In the soft dusk of the
early summer evening he went thought
fully across the field toward her fathers
cottage, now softeued Of its daytime an
gularites and, to Bobs imagination,
nestlipg conhdingly in the trees.
"House amt much like Minna, he re-
aected sadly. "Wisht / could think on
some way TO cotch her"
Ashe walked, crushing down the moist
grass, he revolved a dozen schemes in his
mind, all Of which had sooner or later
to be dismissed as impraclicable in view
of the uncertain nature OF the dalnsel In
question. If he could only be sure Of
how Minna would take anything. But
he never could be, She was as wayward
as the summer breeze.
Suddenly, in the midst Of his ponder
ing, an idea came To him-a heaven sent
inspiration, so beautiful, 50 clever, that
the cunning little god himself must have
been hiding in a bluebell along his path.
Bob gave an emphatic clap to his leg,
and the elistening Cupid might have heard
o short chuckle, followed by delighted
exclamation.
''Goshl But thatlldoit!7 as the wooer
sped along his path. Minna herself met
Bob at the door and gave him a chair
outside beneath fragrant honeysuckle.
She sat down near him on the doorstep
and leaned her head against the case
ment, She lOo.;rd very pretty, her black
eyes darkenlng the lids and her face pale
in the dusky twilight her hair curling
In moist little ends around her small
face, Bob looked at her, and his heart
failed him. But he remembered a GER
tain Thomas Anderson, who report
said had loitered beneath the honey
suckle for the last few nights, and
brought back his oozing courage.
"Ihey wuz talking about You last
night down at the pump" he remarked,
With assumed cheerfulness.
"Talkin about meyn said Minna angri-
ly. "How dared theyY
"Oh, Lordp gaspsd Bob to himself.
''lf she gets mad before beginw
sIhey wuz sayin-sayin"-
-Wellr' sharply, "what wuz they say
inia
"They wuz sayin how as you'd never
marry any one-you wuz that uncertain
Ike and fiightylike."
"WhO said thaty said Minna, turning
Wruthful eyes upon him.
Il don't exactly remember" faltered
fiost likely yourself" ." disdaiufully.
Bob could not truthfully disown the
romark, as he had made it frequently, in
Confidence, TO his near companions In
the village. So, after this unexpected
home thrust, he remained uncomfortably
silent
Minna pursued her advantage.
"Nice doings them, fur a nanir she
went on coutemptuously. Talking
Rbout girls when they can't talk back
for themselves"
" the reported conversation had not
been wholly imaginary, Bob would have
been stricken with remorse. AS it was,
how ever, although iuwarily trembling,
he saW an opening and took it.
''But l spoke back for you, Minna, !
did"
"Oh, you did, did your was the dis
oouraging comment. "Siuce it wuz you
said the worst, seems TO me It wuz an
you could do.
"Ihey said @ lot more'n / did" Bob
continued with hctitiouscourage They
said az how ] needn't bo hanNn around
here, fur ye'd allus scorn me tim the
jedgment and not marry me at an"
"lhere wuz some truth I'm their re-
. marEs, remarked Aiiuna ambhmgly.
"But there's wusser nor that. he said.
with wen forced gloominess. 81 said as
how lmQWed You would marIY me-