Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-11-11

vantage Of q momentary silence on her
part. Times without number had he
nearly clasped her III his arms as sho
pirouetted past him. bat she was too
quick for him. The boldest effort on
his part had been made one evening aft
er he had brought friend to call upon
her. Minna, Bob ard 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 night"
How could | know without you told
me?t' 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 him?'
"Told Linn didn't know"
"That was right, " said Minna, swirling
the dishcloth around.
"And he--ho said was burned fool
if / didn't"
Minna went off into peals of laughter.
Then she sobered up.
Didn't what?'
Didn't marry YOU"
so you would bo--if you got the
CHANGER was the prompt reply.
That's what I told him--if 1 got the
chance. but can't get the chance" de-
jectedly.
"What right had yoa to tell him you
couldn't get the chancet"
"'Cause you amt over give it to me-"
mo, an Inever will, returned Minna,
with emphasis.
"Jes' what | thought" said Bob dis
mally. Guess I'd better 60"
Guess We had" remarked his hostess
Hospitality. AS she spoke she wiped out
the dishpan and hung it up on q nail be-
hind. IF l was you, I'd learn few
things before | came courtin."
"But you're a big sight clever'n me"
answered Bob meekly.
That's so,7 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
elusive Minna. In the soft dusk of the
early summer evening he went thought
fully across the field toward her fathers
cottage. now softened of its daytime an
gularities and, to Bob's imagination,
nesting conEdingly in the trees.
House AMT much like Minna, he re-
fiected sadly. "Wisht | could think on
some way to cotch her."
Ashe walked, crushing down the moist
grass, he revolved 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 damsel in
question. If he could only be sure of
how Minna would take anything. But
he never could be. She was as hayward
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, thai
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
n short chuckle, followed by delighted
exclamation.
GOSH But that'll doitr as the wooer
sped along his path. Minna herself met
Bob at the door and gave him chair
outside beneath fragrant honeysuekle
She sat down near him on the doorstep
and leaned her head against the case
ment. She looked very pretty. her black
Eyes darkening 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 GER
tain Thomas Anderson, who report
said had loitered beneath the honey
snckle for the last few nights, and
brought back his oozing courage.
''They wuz talking about you last
night down at the pump, he remarked,
with assumed cheerfulness.
''Talkin about mel" said Minna angri-
iy. How dared they:'
''Oh, Lordm gasped Fob to himself.
''If she gets mad before / begin!'
( "They wuz sayin-sayin''-
! "Well?' sharply, "what wuz they say
Ia
lhey WIZ saylh now as you 9 never
marry any one-yon WIZ that uncertain
iike anu nlsi.l lke,
y ~ o''iu mat siiu 2iiiliia' turning
"I "a eyes al.on nm.
! uon Exactly ieiiis'iiOef' iai'efeh
BOP. -,
! Mos' IiAeiy youIseii. .isaaiiiiuiiy,
Dop oouie iiot ruin my ulso"n tne
ieiiia,a' = ~ iiia mate y frequently 10
eoiin'siiee " iAi9 near coiia i'Aiiioiis ~
,he siiiase. 60 amer lifis unexpected
ioiiie 'ii ''sa nc ieii''ii'esi ai'coiiio rtlDiy
siis,i',