Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-10-04
A MEAN TRICK.

would, he 1ttI, nave been Srate1ul, 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- tiun of even we'll grounded suspicion. She had such q haffiing sort of manner. Never had he been able to surprise her into an admission of anything, however trifling. which might be taken as an in- dicatiun that he aroused within her emo- tions of any kind whatever. It was cer- tainly very difficult to know what to do. Many times had he almost taken ad- vantage of a mOmentary silence on her part. Times without number had he nearly clasped her in his arms as sho pirouctted past him. but she was too quick for him. The boldest effort on his part had been made one evening aft CT he had brought q friend to call upon her. Minna. Bob and the friend had all sat ill the kitchen and pulled taffy. Next evening Bob said shecpishly:
 Do you know, Minna, what Ikey was tellin me last night"
 How could I know without you told me-" returned Minna. with spirit. She was washing dishes, and she clattered them i'll the pan.
 He was asking me if I was going t" marry you.'
 And what did you tell him:"
 Told him didn't know"
 That right. said Minna, swirling the dishcloth around.
 And he-he said I was a durned fool if didn't
 1T;,,,, ,,-o,+ 0fr ;,+, ,,o,1- ,F l,,,rl+,- Then she sobered up.
 Didn't what"
 Didn't marry you"
 So you would be-if you got the chancc!' was the prompt reply.
 That's what 1 told him-if l got the chance. but l cant get the chance" de- iectedly.
 ''What right had you to tell him you couldn't get the chance:"
 "'Cause you ain't ever give it to me-"
 No. an never will, returned Minna, with emphasis.
 ''Jes' what l thought, said Bob dis nally. Guess I'd better go.'
 "Guess ye had" remarked his hostess hospitably. As she spoke she wiped out the dishpan and hung it up on a nail be- hind. If l was you, I'd learn few things before I came courtin.'
 But you're big sight clevcrn me-" answered Bob meekly.
 That's so,' said Minna laConically IS Bob passed deiected out of the kitchen door.
 On thinking over the interview on the way home. Bob thought that on the c:hole he had not made much progress.
 \ few days later hope returned. bright eyed and smiling. and Bob determined i to make another attempt 10 secure the elusive Minna. In the soft dusk of the .arly summer evening he went thought :ully across the field toward her fathers cottage. now softened of its daytime an sularitics and. to Bob's imagination, aestling confdingly in the trees. ! House aint much like Minna, :" he re- aected sadly. "Wisht could think on some way to cotch her"
 As he walked, crushing down the moist grass. he revolved dozen schemes in his mind, all Sf which had sooner or later 10 be dismissed as impracticable in view 9f the uncertain nature of the damsel in question. If he could only be sure of low Minna would take anything But le never could be. She was as wavward Is the summer breeze.
 Suddenly. in the midst of his ponder ng. an idea came to him-a heaven sent inspiration. so beautiful, so clever, that he cunning little god himself must have seen hiding in a bluebell along his path. Bob gave an emphatic clap to his leg, md the listening Cupid might have heard | short chuckle, followed by delighted exclamation.
 "Gosh. But that'll do it." as the wooer ped along his path. Minna herself met Bob at the Soor and gave him chair outside beneath fragrant honeysuckle She sat down near him on the doorstep md leaned her head against the case nent. 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 a cer- tain Thomas Anderson, who report said had loitered beneath the honey. suckle 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 me-" said Minna angri ly. How dared they:7
 ''Oh, Lord!" gasped Bob to himself If she gets mad before I begin!'
 "They wuz sayin-sayin'-
 ''Well?" sharply, "what wuz they say in?"
 "They wuz sayin how as you'd never marry any one-you wuz that uncertain like and 1ightylike. Soid Af;rDa wrathful eyes upon him.
 ''I don't exactly remember" faltered Bob.
 ''Most likely yourself ? disdainfully. - Bob could not truthfully disown tn, remark, as he had made it frequently, il confidence, to his near companions il the village. So, after this unexpected home thrust, he remained uncomfortabl, silent.
 Minna pursued her advantage.