Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-10-04

''Nice doings them, fur a manm she went on contemptuously. Talking about girls when they can't talk back for themselvesr'
 If the reported conversation had not been wholly imaginary, Bob would have been stricken with remorse. As it was, however, although inwardly trembling, he saw an opening and took it.
 But I spoke back for you, Minna, did"
 "Oh, you did, did you?" was the dis couraging comment 'Since it wuz you said the worst, seems to me it wuz all you could do."
 "They said lot more'n I did" Bob continued, with fictitious courage. 'They said as how I needn't be hangin around here, fur ye'd allus scorn me till the jedgment and not marry me at all."
 There wuz some truth in their re marks" remarked Minna snubbingly.
 But there's wusser nor that" he said, with well forced gloominess. ''I said as how 1 knowed you would marry me-
 Who made you so wise:" interrupted Minna sarcastically.
 An a man bet me you wouldn't, an an-I bet him you would"
 Beasts" ejaculated the much in- censed Minna.
 An I bet fearful lot. Minna Gosh! I'm scared to think of it. If I got to give him all that money, the farm ull have to go sure.'
 Minna looked frightened.
 How much:" she asked faintly.
 ''Wont1er how much she'll stand:" Bob asked himself perplexedly. Then he glanced at her tentatively.
 I'm most afeared to tell you. It's it's-gosh! Minna-it's SlOO.
 "Oh, my" ejaculated Minna. You never did
 "A hundred dollars" repeated Bob chokingly, and overcome by the feelings he had aroused he buried his head in his hands. From this safe retreat he con tinued disjointed remarks broken by emotion.
 Don't care for myself. (Sigh.) don't want to live anyway. but the farmll have to go sure, and poor mother and father" (Sob.)
 ''Oh, no, mo-" said Minna tearfully.
 They're old now to start over agin ia protracted sigh) but I kin work for em. I'll do it''- and Bobs shoulders SIlOOh NllLA lAOb4g SuPbINSStu tlllOllOI- it u'll come hard to lose the old place now -(sob)-after all them years"
 'Oh, don't, don't, don't, Bob. can't bear it:' gasped Minna, choking down the tears. .'Tll-I'n"-
 Bob waited q moment Then he went on:
 "Poor sister can't go to school or noth- ing" rocking himself to and fro in ap- parent deep grief, ''an there's no wood got for the winter" "-herc he wept aloud. and seeing this Minna, too, wept aloud.
 "Oh, Bob" she cried. ''how could you be so-so'- and she burst again into tears.
 Dunno, Minna," he said in q choking voice, but there ain't no help for it now. It's all got to go-farm an all"
 "Ncver.' said Minna historically. II will marry you-I will!'
 "'Tain't right to ask you.' Bob said sadly and hypocritically. You don't care nothin about me"
 T didn't afore," said Minna tearfully and sha,nefacedly. but that was an aw- ful lot of money to bet on me Ilikeyou for it. Bob, do!'
 An you will marry me-
 She nodded.
 Thank you, Minna, Bob said mourn fully. Its awfully good in you"
 A moment elapsed before he started on the real business of courtship-he had to proceed carefully-and in that moment Bob looked up at very jester of twin king star and silently exchanged with it knowing and prodigious wink Madge Robertson ill Chicago Inter Ocean.