Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1880-05-13
UNDER AN UMBRELLA.

IL was dUOub SuuS6u Vi Cudug0Iul
April day, when young girl, lightly
descending the steps of handsome
residence, walked briskly down the
street.. which presently merged into q
shaded avenue, sprinkled with modest
villas and neat cottages. She was en-
veloped in waterproof clea 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
a fresh, sweet face, with laughing
brown eyes and dimpled mouth.
Raining againI' she said, aloud !;
and stepping under the shelter of lin
den, she pulled the hood of her cloak
forward over her little hat. And then.
as the light April rain was driving
thick, brown double veil. Sunshine
and shower all day." she murr,ured.
The uncertain glory of an April day. ,
Very provoking weather, when one is
compelled to go out; but then every
thing looks so fresh and beautiful that
it would be really a sin to complain
The sound OF a quick step approach
ing from behind caused her to glance
back. 1t was already growing dusk.
rendered deeper by the lowering clouds,
yet she could discern a very nice-look-
ing young gentleman approaching.
sheltered beneath huge umbrella.
The girl walked on but in moment
the step was by her side, the 81 dow of
the umbrella extended over her, and a
gloved hand was eagerly held forth.
cousin Nellie, is it really youp"
The girl started, and peered curiously
theough her thick veil.
81 am Nellie" she said, with some
embarrassment; "but II don't re-
cognize you"
"Not recognize mep and after only
so much changed And besides, did
you not receive my letter, saying that
you might expect me this week ?"
81 don't think did" replied Nell,e
demurely; and at the same instant she
thought to herself:
81 wonder who it is that he takes me
forp"
1t is strange that you should have
missed the letter. But hope ami not
the less welcome for coming unexpect-
edly."
..Well, it is unexpected, confess"
He was silent for moment; then
said. in a changed tone:
You don't seem bit glad to see
me, Nellie. And yet. if you knew how
have looked forward to this NEE. ing!"
"That was very kind of you, and l
am sure | ought to feel myself very
much fiattered."
Another ominous silence.
81 don't care who he is, or for whom
ho foEoa mo - fhonnbf h.
girl, as she walked demurety along be-
meath the umbrella held over her.
What right had he to address me and
call his cousin, before making sure
who l WASP Perhaps little lesson will
do him no harm"
Nellie" said her companion,
slowly, !" do you remember the last
night that we were together alone in
the ibrary?"
81 can't say I do, exactly.n
Impossible! You cannot have for
j gotten it. and what you said to me in
adieu. You promised that you would
welcome me back with those words"
"What wordsP"
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 ghtered,
and felt herself blushing as though the
words were addressed to herself. Mel.
lie Caldwell. Who the other Nellie
was-the Nellie beloved by this hand.
some young man-she had no idea. Al
any rate, though, she began to think
it was time to put an end to this adven.
ture. What right had she to suffer him
thus to betray his secrets to herp Sc
she said. gravely, yet still with spice
of mischief:
'' / think you are mistaken. / an
quite sure never said those words tt
any man"
He bent a little forward and looked
earnestly under the hood and at tb,
brown veil,
Nellie, will you take off that veil
want to see your face, and to under
stand what you mean by talking il
this strange way?"
''Oh, you will understand it presently
when we come to that green gate yon
der; then will remove my veil. Blu
how came you to recognize me?" sh
asked curiously.
How could have failed to recoe
nize you, rather You have grow
slightly taller, perhaps, but l kney
your step and your beautiful hail
!, more beautiful then ever, Nellie. wa
5'on my way to your house, when at
distance saw you come down the steps
and could not resist ttrying to overtak
you, for just one word and look,