The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-05-29

bdNhl NdHlt- TIC WIS Il Adh. ll'lNAb NpuIlI II ~
in his evening dress. and had a commanding eye;
but he was peculiarly ditfdent and reserved. This
was not usually his characteristics, but he was a PENN
less young lawyer. and Charlotte was a great hcireSs.
He loved her. and purposed to marry her in spite Of
all the bald headed Dutch fathers west of Amsterdam;
but his motives were liable to demonstration, and
the position was awkward.
They sat down on the nickel chairs in the darkness
of the warm May evening. Old Van Ingen bent over
his galvanometer in the library. The delicate needle
shivered and moved family. Indicating the current
that was passing between David and Charlotte.
Noting doing" said Van Ingen. "Deyre talkin'
about de vedder."
Soon. however. the galvanometcr began 10 get busy.
The needle swung slowly. slowly. until ii got around
to e.
II wonder vot it is" said the father. Hes telIin'
Charlotte he's all alone in de world and meier loved
nobody else. Yes. yesl' he continued. The galvano-
meter had crept up to IS.
David, in fact. was warming up. The night, the
beautiful girl hy his side, his love for her, all com
bined to give him confidence. Poor Charlotte! She
had heard scarcely a word. She was thinking of the
wires. She was vaguely afraid to do anything or say
anything, in fear that something would blow w or
something like that.
least by Charlotte, showed much hesitation. 1t got as
far as 80, fell back to 2S. and even to 81. There was a
constraint over the young couple. and David. full Of
repressed love. could not make any Roadway. Soon.
however. Charlotte forgot all about the wires. and
began to think only of David. She laughed. smiled.
became natural and at ease, and every time she looked
into his eyes his heart would give a great throh and the
needle would give a jump: and old Van lngen would
jump a little. too. He was watching II 50 closely that
he could not help ii.
Suddenly. after long hanging between Al and
IS. it jumped to oS. Goodness "raciousi" sad
Van Ingen. "Vot's he doing:" He tiptocd to the
window and peeked out through the crack IN the
blinds. Charlotte was sitting back drcamily. her eyes
looking into the distance. and David was bending
over her saving something in a low tone which Van
1ngcn could not hear.
s.E.',. a-.,, ~. ,n.r,-ny -, - - Ia.
going back to the instrument. The needle had crcpt
up past 10.
Up. it continued to 60. rising to -. slowly onward
TO 81, to 10, and past the So point "Dcre's a pretty
goot tension deere. a pretty goot tension. SAID the
observer, and then, pop. the needle jumped all at once
to Io2.
Halo. halo. halo Vot Is it," He pcck,d out
again quickly. David had taken CharlottcS hand.
1t was a direct circuit. Charlotte did not appear
TO care what kind Of Il circuit il was. and seemed To
Ice perfectly cuntcntcd. David held on. and So did the
galvanometer. Van Ingcn began to get angry.
"ls> dat cheap lawyer gong to preak my machine.
he asked. Its wort considerably more dan he is at
market rates. Here, Here, Here" he went ON
uncaSily to himself. as the needle passed 40 and did
not seem Ia he at all tired.
"WHIzzl" 1t suddenly whirlcd around q complete
circle and thrcc-IuartcrS OF another one. 1t had
reached 500. Its limit. and the needle was ~hammcring
away at the end of the scale. threatening every second
To snap the delicate spring.
"Confound YOU Confound vou' Shtop II. will
you, cried Van lngcn. running out on the vcranda.
The picture was touching Charlotte. with tears IN
her eyes, was IN DavidS arms. and his lips were
pressed to hers. As they saw Van Ingcn. and moved
away from each other they slowly came back to earth.
Mr.. Van lngrn- said David. greatly ahashed.
Yes. yes. | know all apout II. said the latter
impatiently. I'm satisfied You can haf my daugh-
ter. But-hut-' he hustled about uneasy and
seemingly worried.
What is it," asked David. asronished. overl"yed
and completely mvstihcd.
Excuse me. Would YOU mind getting up fer
choost Won moment. You too. Charlotte, All Tank
you. Tank YOU" He bent over and unlocked two
small wires from the chairs. Then he hustled away
without a word. As he passed into the library they
heard him say "Ha'" like IA mar greatly relieved.
Charlotte and David. dazed at their happiness.
gazed at each other incredulous. Dearest Dear
esti' sad he tendcrlv. What else ne did is not
- L.. 1870 IL l---