The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-10-31
UNDER AN UMBRELLA

| Eleanor hfrh IN Bdtdirfn's monthly.
-
| UNDER AN UMBRELLA.
II was about sunset of changeful April
day, when young girl, lightly descending
the steps of u handsome residence, walked
briskly down the street, which presently
merged into a shaded avenue, sprinkled
with modest villas and neat cottages. She
was enveloped In n 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 fresh, sweet
face, with laughing brown eyes and a dim
pied mouth.
!" Raining againr' she said aloud, and
| stepping under the shelter Of linden she
pulled the hood of her cloak forward over
her little hat. And then, as the light April
rain was driving directly in her face, she
tied over IL thick, brown, double veil.
"Sunshine and shower all day." sho muir
| INJURED. "' The uncertain glory of an April
day. Very provoking weather, when ono is
compelled to 60 out; but then everything
| looks SO fresh and beautiful that 1t would be
really sin TO complain"
The sound of quick step approaching
/ from behind caused her to glance back. II
was really growing dusk, rendered deeper
by the lowering clouds; yet she could discern
a very nice looking young gentleman ap-
proaching,- sheltered beneath q hugh UNI
brella.
The girl walked on, but in a moment the
step was by her side, the shadow of the UNI
brella extended over her, and gloved hand
was eagerly held forth.
"Cousin Nellie, is it really you %
The girl started, and peered curiously
through her thick veil.
| 81 am Nellie," she said, with some en-
barrassment shut IL don't recognize
you.''
"Not recognize me2 and after only one
years absence! Why, Nellie, am so much
changedf And besides, did you not receive
my letter saying that you might expect me
this week 2"
81 don't think did," replied Nellie, de.
murely, and at the same instant she thought
to herself:
81 wonder who it is that he takes me
forf"
| cit is strange that you should have
missed the letter. But l hope | am
not the less welcome for coming unexpect-
edly."
| "Well, it is unexpected, l confess
| He was silent for a moment; then said, in a
changed tone:
"You don't seem u bit glad TO see me,
Nellie. And yet If you knew how have
looked forward to this meeting!"
"That was very kind of you, and am
sure l ought to feel myself very much flat
| tered"
Another omnOus silence.
81 don't care who he is, or for whom he
takes me,'' thought the fun-loving girl, as
she walked demurely along beneath the UNI
brella held over her.
"What right had he to address me and
call me his cousin before making sure who
was2 Perhaps little lesson will do no
HARM"
Nellie" said her companion slowly, "do
you remember the last night that we were
together-alone in the library 2"
81 can't say do, exactly"
"Impossible You cannot have forgotten
it, and what you said to me in adicu. You
promised me you would welcome me back
with those words"
"What wordsH"
"You said: Dear Charlie, 1 do love
you'll Nellie, dear, won't you say them
now, as you promised p
The young girl started. He spoke SO
earnestly that she was fairly frightened, and
felt herself blushing as though these words
were addressed to herself, Nellie Caldwell.
Who the other Nellie was-the Nellie be-
loved 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 ad-
venture. What right had she to suffer him
thus to betray his secrets TO her So she
said gravely, yet still with spice of mis-
chief:
81 think you are mistaken. am quite
sure never said those words to any man."
He bent little forward and looked
earnestly under the hood and at the brown
veil.
"Nellie, will you take off that veil l
want TO SEQ your face, and to understand
what you mean by talking in this strange
way"
sob, you will understand 1t presently,
when you come to that green gate yonder;
then will remove my veil But how came
you TO recognize me ~ she asked curiously.
I" How could l have failed to recognize
you, rather. You have grown slightly taller,
perhaps, but / know your step and your
beautiful hair, more beautiful than ever,
Nellie. l was on my way to your house
when at distance saw You come down the
steps, and could not resist trying TO over
take you, for Just one word and look"
"Oh |" said Nellie, as light dawned
upon her; and then 10 put check upon her
compartments sentimentality she added:
How it rains!' and quickened her pace.
Let IL rain I" he answered, impatiently-
cannon balls, If it will. l want to talk to
you, Nellie"
"Cannon balls may suit your taste, per-
haps. but would scarcely be agreeable to me;
and as to talking out here In the rain and
darkness l am not romantic enough for
that"
He was forced to keep by her side as she
| walked briskly on.
"Where are you going!" he inquired
presently.
"HOme.'
"Home Why you are taking a contrary
direction from home"
~ think not; believe know where
live."
f" / did not know you had removed
"Did you not All, here we are at the
gate. Please open it, If you can, on the
inside"
He reluctantly obeyed, but raised the
latch 80 slowly as to detain her while he
whispered:
"Nellie, you have not given mo the well
come you promised. You have not said
those words"
~ don't believe you really want me Ia
say them,h she answered, very much in
clined to laugh, yet almost frightened at her
own audacity.
"Not want it When you know how
love you'll"
A" don't believe that IL is me that you
love-" she returned, pushing open the gate.
"Good heavens, Nellie, how strangely you
talk who, then, do you imagine love p
:" am sure don't know" said Nellie,
slowly raising her veil and pushing back the
hood. II don't know, but ! am certain II
can't be meIh
And she looked up in his face with de-
mure, pursed-up little mouth, and brown
eyes shining with suppressed mrth through
their long, black lashes.
lie stood gazing upon her as If petrilied
with establishment. Then deep blush
crimsoned his handsome face, and his eyes