The herald., 1893-10-19
y A MEAN TRICK.

q A MEAN TRICK.
He had often tried to propose to her,
but she was such . very fiippant young
person that he found it herculean to re-
duce her to sufficiently serious frame
of mind. Then, too. he was by no means
certain as to her feelings toward himself.
Some definite assurance either way
would, he felt, have been grateful, al
though it is safe to affirm that had such
assurance been unfavorable to his hopes
he would none the less have been anxious
for further information.
However, he was denied the satisfac-
ton of even we'll grounded suspicion.
She had such battling sort of manner.
Never had he been able to surprise her
into an admission of anything, however
trifiing, which might be taken as an in
oication 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
prouetted past him, but she was too
cuick for him. The boldest effort on
Lis part had been made one evening aft
er he had brought u friond 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 Ikey was
tellin me last night?'
How could I know without you told
meY' returned Miuna, 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 y6u tell him?"
"Told him didn't know"
"That asright," said Minna, swirling
the dishcloth around. hss qsss
'sAnd he-he said / was a. burned fool
If didn't" 81 sateairl
Minna went off into peals of laughter.
Then she sobered up. ss Afsis
didn't what?'
didn't marry YOU"
80 you would be-if you got the
chance!' was the prompt reply.
.'That's what told him-if l got the
ehance, but can't get the chance" de-
jectedly.
'eWhat right had you to tell him you
couldn't get the chance?"
"'Cause you amt ever give it to me-"
mo, an never will" returned Minna,
with emphasis.
'1Jes' what thought" said Bob dis
mally. ''Guess I'd better CO."
''Guess ye had," remarked his hostess
Hospitality AS she spoke she wiped out
the dishpan and hung it up on a nail be-
hind "If ! was you, I'd learn few
things before came courtin."
"But you're big sight clever'n me-
answered Bob meekly.
= That's So" said Minna laconically
as Bob passed detected out 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
early summer evening he went thought
fully across the field toward her fathers
cottage, now softened of it's daytime an
gularities and, to Bob's imagination,
nesting conedingly in the trees.
"House amt much like Minna," he re-
flected sadly tWisht could think on
some way to cotch her."
Ashe walked, cyushing down the moist
grass, he revolved q dozen schemes in his
mind, all Of which had sooner or later
to be dismissed as impracticable in view
Of The uncertain nature Of the dansel 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 hin-a heaven sent
inspiration, SO beautiful, SO clever, that
the cunning little god himself must have
been hiding in bluebell along his path.
Bob gave an emphatic clap to his leg,
and the listening Cupid might have heard
e short chuckle, followed by delighted
exclamation.
Gosh! But that'll do itl' as the wooer
sped along his path. Minna herself met
Bob at the dsor and gave him chair
outside beneath o fragrant honeysuckle
ehe sat down near him on the doorstep
and leaned her head against the case
ment. She looked very pretty, her black
eyes darkenlng snr l-us i-ile ller face pale
In the dusky twilight, her hair curling
IN moist little ends around her small
face.s Bob looked at her, and his heart
failed him. But he remembered Ger
tain Thomas Anderson, who report
said had loitered beneath the honey
Buckio IOT TIC iasb lew Hlgnus, ana
brought back his oozing courage.
.They wuz talking about you last