Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-01-11
BOB'S WAGER.

He had often tried to propose tc
her, but she was such very flippant
young person that he found it hercu'
lean to reduce her to a sufficiently
serious frame of mind. Then, too, he
was by no means certain as to hei
feelings towards himself. Some def
mite assurance either way would, he
felt, have been grateful, although it is
safe to affirm that had such assurance
been unfavorable to his hopes ne
would none the less have been anxious
for further information.
However, he was denied the salts
faction of even well grounded suspic'
ion. She had such battling sort oi
manner. Never had he been able to
surprise her into an admission Of any
thing, however trifling which might
be taken as an indication that he
aroused within her emotions OF any
kind whatever. 1t was certainly very
difficult to know what to do.
Many times had he almost taken ad'
vantage of momentary silence on
her pert. Times without number
had he nearly clasped her in his arms
as she pirouetted past him, but she
was too quick for him. The boldest
effort on his part had been made one
evening after he had brought friend
to call upon her. Minna, Bob and his
friend had all sat in the kitchen and
pulled taffy. Next evening Bob said
sheepishly:
DO you know, Minna, what key
was telling me last night?n
How could | know without you
told me? returned Minna, with spirit.
She was washing dishes, and she clat-
tered them in the pan.
He was asking me if was going
to 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 l didn't"
Minna went off into peals of laugh
ter. Then she sobered up.
Didn't what?'
Didn't marry you"
$50 you would be if you got the
chance p was the prompt reply.
That's what l told him-if l got
the chance, but | can't get the
chance" dejectedly.
What right had you to tell him
you couldn't get the chance"
"Cause you amt ever give it to
me-"
No, an 1 never will" returned
Minna, with emphasis.
"Jes what l thought, said Bob,
dismally. Guess I'd better 60"
Guess ye had" remarked his host
ess, Hospitality. AS she spoke she
wiped out the dishpan and hung it up
on a nail behind. IF l was you, I'd
learn a few things before | came
courtin'."
But you're a big sight clever'n
me-" answered Bob, meekly.
That's So" said Minna laconically,
as Bob passed dejectedly 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.
A few days later hope returned,
bright-eyed and smiling, and Bob de-
termined to make another attempt to
secure the elusive Minna. In the soft
dusk of the early summer evening he
went thoughtfully across the field to-
wards her fathers cottage, now soft
ened OF its daytime angularities, and,
to Bob's imagination, nesting contid-
ingly in the trees.
House amt much like Minna," he
reflected sadly. "Wisht l could think
on some way to catch her."
As he walked, crushing down the
moist grass, he revolved a dozen
schemes in his mind, all OF which had
sooner or later to be dismissed as im-
practicable in view of the uncertain
nature of the damsel in question. IL
he could only be sure of how Minna
would take anything. But he never
could be. She was as wayward as
the summer breeze.
Suddenly, in the midst Of his ponder
ing, an idea came to him-a heaven
sent inspiration, so beautiful, so clev'
er, that the cunning little god himself
must have been hiding in bluebell
along his path. Bob gave an emphat'
ic clap to his leg, and the listening
Cupid might have heard a short
chuckle, followed by delighted ex-
clamation.
GOSH But that'll do itT as the
wooer sped along the path. Minna
herself met Bob at the door and gave
him a chair outside beneath a fra
grant honeysuckle. She sat down
near him on the doorstep and leaned
her head against the easement. 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 bis
heart failed him. But he remembered
a certain Thomas Anderson, who re-
port said had loitered beneath the
honeysuckle for the last few nights
sL.. hic nnzino