The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-10-12
A MEAN TRICK.

A MEAN TRICK.
He had often tried to propose to her,
but she was such very fippant young
person that he found it herculean to re-
duce her to Il 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
trifling, which might be taken MS 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 adj
vantage of Il momentary silence on her
part. Times without number had he
nearly clasped her III his arms as she
pirouetted past him, but she was too
quick for him. The boldcst effort on
his part had been made one evening aft
er he had brought II friend to call upon
her Minna, Bob and the friend had all
sat i'll the kitchen and pulled taffy
Next evening Bob said sheepishly:
''Do you know, Minna, what key was
tellin me last night
How could l 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 was going t..
marry YOU"
''And what did you tell him?'
Told him didn't know
"That was right, said Minna, swirling
the dishcloth around.
And he-he 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 be-if you got the
CHANGER was the prompt reply.
That's what told him-if l got the
chance. but l can't get the chance" de-
jectedly.
"What right had you to tell him you
couldn't get the chance:'
"iCause you amt ever give it to me-"
"No, an never will, returned Minna.
with emphasis.
'Jcs what l thought" said Bob dis
mally. "Gucss Id better go.
"Gucss we had remarked his hostess
Hospitality. AS she spoke she wiped out
the dishpan and hung it up on Il nail be-
hind. IF was you, I'll learn few
things before came courtin."
But you're IL big sight clever'n me-"
answered Bob meeklv.
That's So" said A1inna laconically
as Bob passed detected out of the kitchen
door.
On thinking over the interview ON the
way home, Bob thought that OH the
whole he had not made much progress.
y few days later hope returned, bright
eyed and smiling, and Bob determined
to make another attempt to secure tho
elusive Minna. In the soft dusk of the
early summer evening he went thought
fully across the field toward her fathers
cottage. now softcned of its daytime an
gularities and, to Bob's Imagination,
nesting confidingly in the trees.
House amt much like Minna," he re-
fected 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 nina 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
Il short chuckle, followed by delighted
exclamation.
"Gosh! But thatll do it!' as the wooer
sped along his path. Minna herself met
Bob at the door and gave him chair
outside beneath II fragrant honeysuckle.
She sat down near him on the doorstep
and leaned her head against the case
ment. She lo"l,.~l very pretty, her black