The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-01-03
A MEAN TRICK.

lie had often tried to propose to her
but she was such a very fippant young
person that he found it herculean to re-
duce her to 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, although it is
safe to affirm that had such assurance
been unfayorable 10 his hopes he would
none the less have been anxious for fur
ther information.
However, he was denied the satisfac-
ton Of even well grounded suspicion.
She had such battling sort OF manner.
Never had lac been able to surprise her
into an admission OF anything, however
trifing. which might be taken as sn in
dication that he aroused within her
emotions of any kind whatever. II was
certainly very difficult to know what to
do.
Many times had he almost taken ad-
vantage Of a momentaTy silence on her
part. Times without number had he
nearly clasped her in his arms as she
pirouetted past him, bat 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 the friend had all sat in the kitchen
and pulled tafFy. Next evening Bob
said sheepishly:
30 you know, Minna, what key was
tellin' me last night?"
"Hov could know without you told
me ?" returned Minna, with spirit.
She was washing dishes, and she clat-
tered them in the pan.
"Eie Was asking meif was going to
marry your
"And whai did you tell him -
"Told him didn't know
"Thal was right" said Minna, swirl
ing the dishcloth around.
"And he-he said was burned fool
i'll didn't"
Minna went off into peals of laughter.
Then she sobered up.
Didn't what ?"
"Didn't marry you"
$50 you would be-if you got the
chauce~ was the prompt reply.
That's what l told him-if l got the
chance, but can't get the chance" de-
jectedly.
"What right had you TO tell him you
couldn't get the chance ?"
Because you amt ever given it to
me-"
'No, and never will, returned Min
na, with emphasis.
"Jes' what | thought sail Bob dis
mally. "Guess I'd better CO."
"Guess you had" remarked his host
ess, Hospitality. As she spoke she wip-
ed out the dishpan and hung it up on a
nail. IF l was you, I'd learn few
things before came courting."
"Bdt you're big sight ciever'n me"
answered Bob, meekly.
That's So" said Minna, laeonically,
as Bob passed dejectedly out ofthe kiteh-
en- door.
On thinking over the interview, on
the way home, Bob thought that on the
whole he had not made much progress.
4 few days later nope returned, bright
eyed and smiling, and Bob determined
to make another attempt to secure the
elusive Minna.
In the soft dusk Of the early summer
evening he went thoughtfully across the
field toward her fathers cottage now
softened of its daytime angulariiies aud,
TO Bob's imagination, nesting confiding-
ly in the trees.
blouse amt much ike Iinna," he
reflected, sadly. "Wisht l could think
Of some way to cotch her"
As he walked, crushing down the
moist grass, he resolved a dozen schemes
in his mind, all Of which had sooner or
later to be dismissed as impIacticable in
view Of the uncertain nsture of the dam
sci in question. II he could only be
sure Of how Minna would take anything.
But he never could be. She was as way
ward as the summer breeze.
Suddenly, in the midst Of his ponder
ing, an idea came TO him-a heaven sent
inspiration, so beautiful, so clever, that
the cunning little god himself must have
been hiding in bluebeIl along his path.
Bob gave sn emphatic clap to his leg,
and the listening Cupid might have
heard u short chuckie, followed by de-
lighted exclamation
"Gosh But that'll do itT' as the wocer
sped along his path.
Minna herself met Bob 81 the door
and gave him chair outside beneath
fragrant honeysuckle.
She sat down near him on the door
step 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 sweet little
face.