Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-01-20
90, you know Johnson

morrow night, when he takes her home
from Twigs party
Perdition!'
"Eh? slap-up girl, isn't she? There's
my omnibus. By-by!'
Going to propose when ne took he1
home from Twig's! BY all the powers
he should not take her home from Twig's
1t had been agreed that ] should escort
Mary Jane to the halls of Twig. 1t was
fine night apparently, but took my
umbrella. 1t was new one, surmounted
by an aIligator's head in German silver
Fervcntly invoked Jupiter Plnyius to
befriend me, and hoped that johnson would
leave his umbrella at home.
It was less than ten minutes walk, blu
there was time enough to show little
preliminary tenderness, if not to put the
grand question itself. With an artlcss
girl like Mary Jane it was best to ap-
proach such subject by degrees.
:" Twas just such a night as this |
said, softly, 6 when you and Mary Jane,
trod the grassy turf beside that murmur-
ing brook"
90, remember !" she exclaimed laugh
ing in her guileless way. II know what
you are going to say. That was the time
you fell over the stile, running away from
the bull. And your nose was done up in
sticking plaster, you know; and you
scratched my face with it, sir!'
| had forgotten that circumstance; but
what did it matter!
''Yes, Mary Jane said, passionately.
"And why did my nose scratch your face?
Because my lips were seeking that par
adise which now
''Good evening, Miss Bowles.'
1t was johnson. saw his grin in the
moonlight, and-confusion.-he had
brought his umbrella.
There was little dancing at Twig's,
but had no pleasure in it. My mind
was full of Johnson's umbrella. 1t came
before my diseased vision like Macbeth's
dagger. clutched at it, and had it
not
Time wore on. I stood at the window
alone, and looked out at the weather.
Heavy clouds obscured the moon. Heavy
drops began to fall. Then the temptation
had me in its grip.
"His umbrella! gasped. ''I-I'll
hide it.
sits going to be nasty night, after
all" said hated voice at my elbow. Il
believe only you and l have brought
umbrellas. There'll be an awful scrim-
mage for cabs. Luckily we haven't far to
walk"
'Hc was grinning more than ever, but
he could not have heard me. A cab would
not have heard me. A cab would not
suit him, of course He wanted to walk
home with Mary Jane, slowly, SO that
frenzy! l would do the deed. | would
throw his umbrella
20, Sam, do take me down to refresh
ments! I asked Mr. johnson, but he has
forgotten me-"
She looked up into my face so bewitch-
ingly my heart thumped as if it were a
door-knocker in the grasp of demon
postman. He knew she was thirsting for
claret-cup, and yet he left her. Careless
brute! What husband he would make!
Whereas in me-in me--she would
find
"Mary jane whispered, as we left
liquids, MARY Jane, may I sec you
home?'
''If you are good boy perhaps you
may. But here's Mr.. johnson, and / owe
him dance"
I He took her away, but she looked
back at me with a smile. | really never
saw such an artless girl in my life.
And now, to make assurance doubly
sure, l crept up stairs to the room where
the umbrellas had been left. The gas
was cut and the window open. The mel
ancholy voices of divers cats seemed to
protest against the crime, but my nerves
were firm I could see nothing No
matter. knew where my enemy had
put his umbrella. l CROPPED Tor it.
grasped it by the lerruled end. Just then
a fcotstep startled me. l rushed to the
window and dropped the hateful thing
into the black abyss below. There was
splash. felt sardonic joy. lie had
brought his umbrella for fear of rain.
Well it might do its duty in the water
butt!
| listened All was quiet. The next
room was IN darkness. There could be
no one there. went down to the refresh
ment room, drank a glass of wine, chatted
while with Mrs. Twig, and recovered my
self-possession. Then sought Mary Jane.
Johnson had just crossed the room to her
when entered. Suddenly she was seized
with violent fit of coughing. ran for
glass OF water. When I returned the
coughing became worse than ever.
Yet that unfeeling monster, Johnson
grinned until I thought the corners of
his mouth would meet in the nape Of his
neck.
When I asked if she felt better, Mary
Jane went off again; and presently the
cough was SO bad that she had to leave
the room. remarked to johnson that
she must have caught cold; and then he
coughed. No doubt she had been out
on the balcony with him to see whether
the rain had ceased. But wait little,
my grinning friend
Every body was now going away.
WitA,a fendish delight I saw johnson
walk up stairs to get his hat and coat and
his--Ha! ha! waited till he came down.
He was perfectly COOL and-did my eyes
mock me?-:he had in his hand an UNI
brella! | could not see the handle, but
of course it was mine The fellows I'M.
pudence staggered me. I tore up into
the room above. There was no umbrella
there. 1t acas mine!
l went down, resolved to make an ex-
ample of johnson. He stood in the hall,
eisurely putting on his gloves.
"Excuse me-" said, calmly, "but you
have got my umbrella"