The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-07-01
UNDER AN UMBRELLA.


descending the steps of handsome
residence, walked briskly down the
street, which presently merged into a
shaded avenue, sprinElcd with modest
villas and neat cottages. She was en-
veloped in a waterproof cloak, which
revealed only the graceful contour Of
her shoulders, over which fell cluster
Of golden brown ringlets. Her little
feet tripped daintily along the rough
road, until suddenly pausing she lifted
Il fresh, sweet face, with laughing brown
eyes and a dimpled mouth.
"Raining again" she said aloud; and
stepping under the shelter of linden,
she pulled the hood of her cloak for
ward over her little hat. And then, as
the light April rain was driving directly
in her face, she tied over it thick,
brown double veil. Sunshine and
shower ull day." she murmured, "'The
uncertain glory of an April day. Very
PEELED to go out; but then everything
looks SO fresh and beautiful that it
would be really a sin to complain"
The sound of Il quick step approach
ing from behind caused her to glance
back. It was already growing dusk,
rendered deeper by the lowering clouds,
yet she could discern very nice-look-
ing young gentleman approa ching,
sheltered Beneath huge umbrella.
The girl walked on; but in moment
the step was by her side; the shadow of
the umbrella extended over her, and Il
gloved hand was eagerly held forth.
'SCousin Nellie, is it really you?"
The girl started, and pecrcd curiously
through her thick veil.
II am Nellie" she said, with some
embarrassment "but, III don't recog-
nizc YOU"
mot recognize me? and after only
one years absence! Why, Nellie, am I
so much changed? And besides, did
you not receive my letter, saying that
you might expect me this week."
II don't think I did," replied Nellie,
dcnurely; and at the same instant she
thought to herself:
II wonder who it is that he takes me
for?'
"It is strange that you should have
missed the letter, But 1 hope l ana
not the less welcome for coming unex-
pectedly"
"Well it is unexpectedly, must con-
fess.'
He was silent for moment; then
said, in changed tone:
"You don't seem bit glad to see me
Nellie. And yet, if you knew how I
have looked forward to this mecting!"
'That was very kind of you, and I
am sure I ought to feel myself very
much flattered."
Another ominous silence.
IL don't care who he is, or for whom
he takes me-" thought the fun-loying
girl, as she walked demurely along be-
meath the umbrella.
What right had he to address me and
call me his cousin, before making sure
who I was? Perhaps little lesson will
do him no harm.
"Nellie," said her companion, slowly,
"do you remember the last night that
we were together-it was alone in the
library?"
II can't say do, exactly"
impossible You cannot have for
gotten it, and what you said to me in
adieu. You promised that you would
welcome me back with those words"
'What words?'
"You said: Dear Charlie, [ do love
your Nellie dear, won't you say them
now as you promised?'
The young girl started. He spoke so
earnestly that she was fairly frig htened,
and felt herself blushing as though the
words were addressed to herself, Nellie
CALDWELL Who the other Nellie was
the Nellie beloved by this handsome
young man-she had no idea. At any
rate, though, she began to think it was
time to put an end to this adventure.
What right had she to suffer him thus
to betray his secrets to her? So she said,
gravely, yet still with a spice of mis-
chief:
II think you are mistaken. I am
quite sure that never said those words
to any man."
He bent little forward and looked
earnestly under the hood and at the
brown veil. s.% 49,,
"Nellie, will you take off that veil!
want to see your face and to understand
what you mean by talking in this
strange way"
ooh, you will under stand it presently,
when we come to that green gate yon-
der; then will remove my veil. But
how came you to recognize me?" she
asked curiously.
GLOW could I nave failed to recog.
nize you, rather. YOU have grown
slightly taller, perhaps, but I knew
your step and your beautiful hair, more
beautiful than ever, Nellie. I was on
my way to your house, when at dis
ance I saw you come down. the steps,
and could not resist tryingto overtake
you, for just one word and look. y y !.
"Oh!" said Nellie, as a light dawned
-. y.