Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-09-29

tHelly, SufrOulueu US, anu lou Only Gne
idea, but with 1t courage, came to me. I
saw Fraulein Martha's hand CLEAN in the
darkness. seized it, and before its owner
had time to know what was doing
What was thatS" cried Herr Fenchel.
"a kiss" replied his wife.
The train left tho tunnel and plunged
into the open daylight. The passengers
looked around as if they had heard a shot
rather than kiss and expected to see a,
suicide weltering in his blood. I initiated
them and looked about me with equal as
constituent and curiosity. From several
/ heard giggling. On the whole the ST.
lence was really embarrassing Fraulein
Martha was rummaging in her handbag,
and her head was bent over it SO that T
could not see whether she was angry or
not. 1t may be that murmured, II beg
your pardon;" it may be that I did not,
for it will readily be understood that my
lips were fully employed in what have
just described. At any rate, l was glad
that had found such pleasure in such
short tunnel. Added to that, had won
my bet. Martha's hand had really dis
appeared in mine, and had had to open
my hand again in order to imprint kiss
between two pretty dimples. Fraulein
Roschen and her admirer sat as il stupe-
fled and stared solemnly at the floor. A
kiss which sounds like real one fills
lovers with mixed sensations-envy and
appreciation. Opposite them sat Herr Fen
chel, who stared at them in establishment
and shook his head warningly. His fore
sight had deceived him, for he had not
known that Roschen would be kissed
1t was moreover, such kiss-so fla
grant, so resonant! Had he dared
to speak-which he did not out of
consideration for his daughtcr-he would
have administered the strongest rebuke
that mortal ever received So he con-
tented himself with looking reproachfully
and warningly at the two culprits and oc-
casionally turning his eyes on his wife,
who was intent on newspaper which she
was holding upside down.
The rest of the passengers gradually re-
covered from the shock. At the next sta
tion there was longer stop, and we got
out of the train. In doing so 1 heard one
passenger say to another Good gracious!"
He was speaking of the kiss. ''Beauti-
full!' said lady to gentleman who was
accompanying her. She, too, was speak
ing Of it.
IT know exactly what's to be done",
said Herr Fenchel to his wife as they got
out on the platform. 'Of course you'll
understand, too, Martha, that that kiss
in the turmoil
Il know all about it, -" replied Martha.
ga man Of your understanding cannot
fail to perceive the meaning of that kiss.
and if you ignore it heavy responsibility
rests on your shoulders" continued she
cnergetically. 1T was perfect kiss, the
meaning of which cannot be explained
away. There are kisses which are serious
deeds, and that in the tunnel was one of
them. How could young and inexpe-
rienced lips produce such a kiss? It's
ringing in my ears yet"
80 you noticed it, did you, Martha"
said Herr Fenchel, although you were so
far away? My wife didn't notice 1t, of
course. How often have 1 warned her
that young Taube was a Don Juan! But
it's no use repeating that now. What is,
is, and what must be, must be-" Where
upon Herr Fenchel took his wife's arm
and signed to his daughter and young
Taube to follow. The quartet went into
the first class waiting room, which was
empty.
but, Fraulein," I said to Martha,
who, having looked on smilingly while
the four disappeared, came to my side.
II made the best use of the kiss said
Fraulein Martha. "A hand kiss means
nothing, but am trying to make some-
thing good out Of 1t. am encouraging
Herr Fenchel in his conceited idea that he
foresees and understands everything, and
am getting Roschen husband whom
she loves. Is that bad stroke of bust
ness?"
"But that kiss was my property"
said.
Don't be nonsensical," she answered
ut was simple act of politeness. ac-
ccpted it as such and you meant it as
nothing more. Do you know, my father
used to call me 'Stupid,-Little Stupid l
was often very wild, and so he called me
Little Stupid for pet name. am no
longer child, but I often have fits of
wildness when l can carry an intrigue
through which hurts nobody and does
some good. One day my father ceased to
call mo Little Stupid, and he never used
the name again He was terribly strict,
and as he saw one Of my boy friends kiss
SO roughly that the boy avoided the house
ever after. AS he was no hero of ro-
nance, was left alone and remain alone.
Now I've had my revenge on fate, for
through hand kiss two young folks have
been made happy. Wasn't that noble
revengc?"
You are an angel, Fraulein Martial"
Icried as loudly as 1t is fitting on a rail
way platform
when n girl is hung onto an angel,
she pretty harmless, said she laughing
ly MY father meant angel when he
called mo stupid, but he didn't make
love to mo-"
At this point the quartet reappeared.
Herr Fenchel came with his daughter,
and Frau Fenchcl was conducted by
Taubc.
Martha" said Herr Fenchel, didn't
always tell you that they would mako
fine coupler They've been engaged for
five minutes.
Fraulein Martha embraced Roschen,
but Herr Taubc Immediately appropriated
his 1lancee and kissed her. 1t wasn't the
sort of thing to do on the platform. That
must be acknowledged. Herr Fenchel
said half jestingly, half sternly, "You
don't need to wait till you come to tun.
mel now, do you?'
Herr Tarbe seemed to wish to protest,
but it was of no use. Wien we were all
ersconced n the carriage Frau Fenchel
said to Fraulein Martha: believe me,
Martha, those children were quite ipno-
cent Of that kisss You should have seen
how they tried to exonerate themselves
from the suspicion, but 1t was of no use.
Fenchel absolutely forbade them to speak,
for he said he knew all about it already.
am glad they are engaged though"
I'm any case" said Martha, 1--WE don't
need to trouble about that. It's all the
same now. ALPS well that ends we'll. "