The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-08-09

wHiolio bnrlekeu, anu tho train plunged
Into tunnel. Now or never" I Thought
TO myself. Darkness, which Is no mans
enemy, surrounded us, and not only the
idea, but with 1t courage, camo to mo. I
saw Frauloin Martha's hand CLEAN in tho
darkness. seized It, apd before its owner
mad time to know what was doing
What was that" cried Horr Fcnchel.
"a kiss, !" replied his wife.
Tho train left the tunnel and plunged
Into tho open daylight Tho passengers
looked around rs If they had heard shot
fathor than O kiss and expected to SEQ o
suicide weltoring In his blood. initiated
shem and looked about mo with equal as
constituent and curiosity. From several
l heard giggling. On the whole tho 81
lence was really embarrassing Frauloin
Martha was rummaglng In her handbag,
and her head was bent over it so that I
could not SEQ whether she was angry or
not. 1t may DO that murmured, II beg
your pardon;" 1t may DO that did not,
Tor 1t Will readily be understood that my
lips were fully employed in what have
just described At any rate, was glad
that l had found such pleasure in such
short tunnel. Added to thnt had won
my bet Martha's hand had really dis
appeared in mine, and I had had to open
my hand again in order to imprint n kiss
between two pretty dimples- Fraulein
Roschen and her admirer sat as If stupe-
fled and stared solemnly at tho floor. A
kiss which sounds lilo O real ono. fills
lovers with mixed eensations-enyEa and
appreciation Opposite Thorn sat Herr Fen
chel, who stared at them In establishment
and shook his head warningly. His fore
sight had deceived him, for he Ind not
known TINT Roschon would be kissed.
1t was, moreover, such kiss-so ia
grant, so resonant Had no dared
70 speak-which he did not out Of
consideration for his daughtcr-he would
have administered tho strongest robuke
that mortal over received So he con-
tented himself with looking reproachfully
and warningly at tho two culprits and CO.
casionally turning his eyes on his vito,
who was intent on O newspaper which she
was holding upside down
Tho rest Of tho passengers gradually re-
covered from the shock. AT the next sta
tion thero was longer stop, and we got
out of tho train. In doing so heard ono
passenger say to another, Good graciousl'
Ho was speaking OF the kiss 'Beauti-
fulli" said n lady to gentleman who was
accompanying her. She, too, was speak
ing of it
II know cxnctly what's to DO done"
said Herr Fenchel to his vito rs they got
out on the platform 'Of course you'll
understand, too, Martha, that that kiss
In tho tunnel'-
II know oil about IL, replied Martha.
"a man Of your understanding cannot
fail to perceive the meaning of that kiss,
and II you ignore it heavy responsibility
rests on your shoulders" continued sho
theoretically. 1T was perfect kiss, the
meaning Of which cannot be explained
away. There arc kisses which arc serious
deeds. and that in tho tunnel was one Of
them. How could young and incxpe-
rienced lips produce such q kiss2 It's
ringing in my ears yet"
SO you noticed 1t, did you, Martha"
said Herr Fonchel, although you were SO
far awayP My wife didn't notice 1t, Of
course. How often have I warned her
that young Taubc was u Don Junnl But
it's no use repeating that now. What is,
is, and what must be, must be-" Where
upon Herr Fcnchel took his wife's arm
aud signed to his daughter and young
Tnube to follow. Tho quartet went into
the first class waiting room, which was
empty.
But, Fraulcin," I said to Martha
who. having looked ON smilingly whilo
tho four disappeared, came to my side
II mado tho best use of tho kiss" said
Fraulein Martha. "A hand kiss means
nothing, but am trying to mako some
thing good out Of 1t. 1 am encouraging
Herr Fenohel in his conceited idea that he
torcsees and understands everything, and
am getting Roschon a husband whom
she loves Is that q bad stroke of bust
ness?''
But that kiss was my property" 1
said.
Don't DO nonsensical," she answered.
1t was simple act Of politeness. lac
ceptcd 1t as such, and you meant 1t as
nothing moro Do you know, my father
used to call me 'Stupid-Little Stupid.
was often very wild, and so he called mo
Little Stupid for pot name. 1 am no
longer child, but often have fits Of
wildness when I can carry On intrigue
through which hurts nobody and does
somo good. Ono day my father ceased to
call mo 'Littlo Stupid, and he mover used
the name again. He was terribly strict,
and as he saw ono of my boy friends kiss
my hand he called him to account for it
SO roughly that the boy avoided tho house
ever after. AS no was no hero of no
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 O noble
rovengeP"
You are an angel, Fraulein Martial"
cried as loudly as it is fitting on a rail
way platform.
When girl Is hung onto an angel,
che Is pretty harmless, said she laughing
ly. MY father meant angel when he
called mo stupid, but he didn't make
love to me-"
At this point the quartet reappeared.
Herr Fcnchel came with his daughter,
and Frau Fenchel was conducted by
Taube
Martha" said Herr Fenchel, didn't
! always tell you that they would mako
fine coupler They've been engaged for