Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1872-12-13
Gelcttc0 NlistellnnD.
THE UMBRELLA GIRL.

A young girl, the only daughter of a
poor widow, removed from the country
to Philadelphia to earn her living by
covering umbrellas. She was very hand
some with glossy black hair, large beam
ing eyes and clips like wet coral" She
was just at that susceptible age when
youth is ripening into womanhood- when
the soul begins to he pervaded by
that restless principle which impels
poor humans to seek perfection in
union"
At hotel near the store for which she
worked. an English traveller, called Lord
Henry Stuart had taken lodgings. He
was strikingly handsome man, and of
princely carriage. AS this distinguished
stranger passed to and from the hotel he
encountered the umbrella girl, and he
was attracted by her uncommon beauty
He easily traced her to the store where
he soon after went to purchase an UNI
brela. This was followed up by pre-
SCENTS of flowers, chats by the wayside,
which was gratefully accepted by the
unsuspccting rustic: for she was as ig-
norant Of the dangers Of a city as were
the squirrels of their native fields.
He was merely playing game Of
temporary excitement. She, with head
full ofromance, and heart melting un-
der the influence of love. was uncon-
sciously endangcring the happiness of
her whole life.
Lord Henry invited her to visit the
public gardens on the Fourth of July. In
the simplicity of her heart she believed
all his hatering professions, and con-
sidered herself his bride elect; she there
fore accepted the invitations with inno-
cent frankness. But she had no dress
fit to wear on such a public occasion with
a gentleman of such high rank, whom
she really supposed to be her destined
husband While those thoughts reyolv-
ed in her mind, her eye was unfortunate
ly attracted by beautiful piece of silk
belonging to her employer. Could she
take it without being seen, and pay for it
secretly when she had earned money
enough The temptation conquered her
in moment of weakness. She conceal
cd the silk, and conveyed it to her lodg-
ings. IT was the first thing she had ever
stolen, and her remorse was painful.
She would have carried it back, but she
dreaded discovery. She was not sure
that her repentance would be met in
spi rit Of forgiveness
On the cventful Fourth of July she
came out in her dress. Lord Henry
complimented her upon her elegant APP
pearance but she was not happy. On
their way to the gardens he talked to
her in a manner she did not comprehend.
Pcrceiving this he spoke more explicitly.
The guilelcss young creature stopped,
looked in his face with monrnful re-
proach, and burst into tears. The no.
bleman took her hand kindly, and said !:
"My dear, are you an innocent girl 2"
- / am, | am y she exclaimed with
convulsivc sobs. ooh! what have |
done or said, that you should ask me
such strange question
The evident sincerity Of her words
stirred the deep fountains Of his better
nature. IF you arc innocent" said he,
God forbid that / should make you
otherwise. But you accepted my invi-
tations and presents so readily that 1
supposed you understood me-"
. What could understand" said she,
.eexcept that you intended, in good faith
to make me your wifo ?"