The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-04-14

by George it's too much worn out
and I'll be ashamed Of it-and &C
over and present myself Courtenay
'lr be furious-ba! ha! BY George
though, how did this umbrella get SC
shabby? I've only had it four weeks
I'll 60 and buy now ono, black
alpaca, with . carved ivory handle
and Introduce myself to Miss Arm
strong with that. feel the box o1
cigars already in my pocket"
Mr.. Kennedy walked across the
hall and tapped thrice, each time
louder, upon the opposite door,
Getting no answer, he called through
keyhole:
II say, Courtenay!"
No reply. Mr.. Kenncday shook
the door, then hailed the chamber
maid.
"Whcrc's Mr.. Coutcnay."
"Gonc down town, sir, half an hour
ago"
0"Gonc down town! The deuce be
has! mrttcrcd Mr.. Kennedy, search.
| ing distractcdIy for his hat and
gloves. l say!'-to the chamber
maid-"wherc is nearest umbrella
store p
"Right round the corner"
"Run out and buy me an umbrella
will you? There's q good soul Take
this bill, and keep The change, aud
get me black paca mbreIIa Qadies
size,) remember that with an orna
mcnled ivory handle. Understand ?''
Gall right, sir"
"And hurry-do !"
The maid vanished, and Mr. Ken
nedy began TO make himself irresisti-
bic as far rs haste would allow. He
met the returning chambcrmaid al
the door, and inspected the umbrella
in the hall, and then Lriumphantly
marched across the street. lie rang
the bell, inquired confidently for
"Miss Armstrong;" and was ushcrcd
in. With umbrella still in my hand
he walked into the parlors, but was
arrested on tho Threshold by the
sight of his chum, Ellis Courtcnay.
who, also holding an umbrella in his
hand, occupied an easy-chair by the
table. Mr.. Courtenay was dressed
with suspicious nicely, and the um.
brc1Ia he had was apparently new.
The two occupants Of the parlor
faced each other in blank surprise,
which, in Mr.. Courtenay's case,
changed TO amusement. AS for Mr.
Kennedy, after uttcring explosivcly
his Gavorite. "By George" he sub
sided into a chair, and began, fccbly
"How-how in"-
"Eh Some ones comlng!"
Miss Armstrong opening the par
or door, had TO hide her face behind
her handkerchief for moment ere
she could advance with requisite
gravity. Her Two knights Of yes
terday' were considerably embarrass
ed, but managed to present them
selves, there excuses, and their um
brclIas.
by Gcorger finished Mr kennc.
dy, being on the car, you know,
felt, as l might say, interested, you
know
4 am much oblige to you, I an
sure
sAnd this isn't your umbrclla?'
Il am sorry 10 say, it isn't
Mr.. Courtcnay rose TO 90.
Il should have been glad to have
returned you your umbrella hc said
politely. 'As it is, can only hope il
may be rcstorcd.'
AS l do myself I assure you,
Miss Armstrong responded. mo
for tho umbrellas sake, but for TIT
sake of fifty dollars and some photo
graphic proofs, which were screwed
into the handle
Constraint was forgotten in The
sudden surprise created by this state
mcnt. Before half an hour had pass
ed the three were quite at case 10
gelhcr. They passed from specula
ton about the fate Of the umbrella Il
the weather, and TO the locality ant
season, TO amuscmcnts and TO music
When they left, it was with the un
dcrstanding that there might be f'l
ture visits.
However, neither Of tho youn!
gentleman had his cup Of satisfaction
full TO the brim, because of the Other
Not a sentence did either utter a
they crossed the street. In the up
per hall of the clearinghouse at las
Mr.. Kennedy broke silence:
Il say, Courlenay, where dld yo
sec that advertisement
: about eight this morning., wa
the Iaconic response, as the ono &C
[ dressed fumbled with his key.
'And you went down town and
s Il always 60 down town.
oh, pshaw! Don't be high an
. mighty! Oh, Oh, Oh, Ohl' An
Mr.. Kenncdy's voico grew fainter q
he retired into the depths Of hi
> dresssing-room. Presently he emers
ed thcrefrom, and shouted across tn
n hall.
We'll, We neither of us won tn
s cigars. Both got introduced the sam
minute, by George! We will
I halves on box
d It was noticeable after this ths
Q the young gentlemen both cared yer