The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-19

II should certainly like to assist yor in
whatever you are going to do" he answered
kindly; and in few minutes they were both
at work spreading out the cold collation., and
| decking it with the flowers.
When all was ready a bell was rung to call
| the guests together, and the meal began some
what silently, for after the dispensing OF
| good things there was a state of lull, every
one eating with apparently as hearty an APP
| petite as Mr.. Dunstan had boosted of. Cham
payne corks began to pop and mirth TO flow;
bright eyes danced, and grave ones grew
brighter; and any one listening to the babel
of voices and the peals of laughter must
have counted Mrs. Roley's picnic success
But the history of nations has ever shown
that success cannot last, and when thin gs
are at their brightest they fade; and all UNI
noticed dark cloud had been born in the
horizon, and had risen and risen until it was
now over the very heads of the pleasure
seekers, all rain-laden and the drops came
pattering down in large spots.
II did not matter to Mrs. Roley that her
superb costume would be spoiled; she looked
down at the stains. and smiled. and people
said what sweet-tempered woman she must
be. But there was not so much credit due
| to her after all; for she had already decided
on ordering new one on the morrow, hay
ing the excuse that this was quite ruined.
Mr.. Roley, however was not quite so well
satisfied as any one might guess from the ex-
preston of his face; but whether his mind
was perturbed with the thought OF his wife's
dress-making bill, the utter ruin of his own
new hat, or the discomfort of wetting, his
guests could not fathom. Those who could
afford to buy new garments, and were
not delicate, laughed at the downpour,
or, as they said, "made the best of it," but
Mrs. Roley was not one who only invited her
| rich neighbors to her parties, and some
of her friends could ill afford to have their
dresses and hats spoiled. Among these there
a fOr n hrpl-
las; but of the latter article only one had
been brought. Who could have thought of
needing an umbrella on such perfect day?
So Mr.. Dunstan, profting by his Devon
shire experience, alone was master of the
situation. He was. for the time being IN
doubleday the most Important person of his
day in that little world, for he was 1.-THE man
| with the umbrella" Dark ewes stared at
him, gray eyes beseeched him, hazel eyes i'm
| plored him, but it was all in vain, for little
woman was sheltering under hedge, with
her dress turned ruthlessly over her head, re-
CARELESS of appearance, and two blue eyes
glanced shyly toward HIM in comical tribula-
| ton, and the question as to who was to
share his umbrella was speedily solved.
For moment Mrs. Roley allowed a wave
| of annoyance to cross her usually placid
| face, but the next she smiled, and resolved
! upon something in her own mind.
Unfortunately, the Swan had been sent
| forward to meet the party at another point
| so there was nothing to be done but to walk
on to the place of rendezvous, regardless OF
| the wet grass, or to hire boats and follow it
| by water.
The latter course was adopted by Mr. and
Mrs. Roley, who seated in the stern of the
| river-tub, were soon well protected from the
elements by rugs and wraps, which she ac-
| cepted freely, now that the necessity for her
new costume was decided upon.
A few young couples who had waterproofs
and thick boots Tor said they had, for reasons
of their OWN preferred to walk; so that little
Maud de Lara was not singular in electlng to
do the same.
The pedestrian party. consisting of ten,
started together, but, curious to relate, got
separated before they had walked quarter
OF mile which was somewhat unfortunate
as neither Maud nor Mr.. Dunstan knew the
way to the place of meeting, nor were they
at all posted up as to its locality. Each
thought that of course the other knew all
abou: it, whereas they had both been under
| che hedge-row gathering flowers when the
Swan had been sent away and arrangements
made for meeting her again. But two happy
young folks, walking close together under an
umbrella, were not very likely to think of
the difficulties until they actually arose, and
the umbrella had to be held low to keep off
the rain and the wind; so they did not even
notice thar their companions were out of
sight and that they were totally alone. So
when they came to a stile, over which Mr.
DuHStan ldu 10 nelp MS companion, he sud
denly exclaimed, by Jovel'' and began TO
look about him somewhat anxiously.
why, where are the others?'' said Maud.
"Are they in front or behind2'
II have not an idea l have never thought
| of them since we started"
"Perhaps they are hiding" suggested She
But there seemed to be nowhere for them
to hide; the field in which they found them
| selves was large, and bare OF trees even, with
trim hedge all around it.
1--WE must have walked either very fast or
very slow" he remarked, dubiously-'I
don't know which. was thinking of some
| thing else Miss de Lara, your feet must be
wet through; you said your shoes were
thick, and they are nothing but brown pa
per-"
co. they are not very wet, thank youl'
replied Maud, raising her sweet eyes 10 his
You will catch your death of cold and it
| will be my fault" he continued, regretfully
Don't think about that, please. l do not
get cold easily at all. But wish l knew
where the others are, | don't think Beatrice
would approve of my having left them; but
indeed, didn't notice that they were gone"
1t is no fault OF yours, whoever else may
be to blame" he said firmly, but / will try
and find them. There, sit on this stile
against the hedge and hold the umbrella well
! over you. | won't be gone long,
1t was evident that she had confidence in
him, for she asked no questions, but simply
oDeyed MN; ana, regardless OF the ram, ne
ran swiftly round the four sides of the field,
looking over the hedges and calling aloud;
but all in vain. He merely returned to the
patient waiter at the stile, decidedly wetter;
but that was the only result of his en-
| deavors.
al am afraid we are left all alone, like
the Babes in the Wood" he said, with
smile, as he rejolned her. Il am sorry, since
you think Mrs, Roley will be vexed with
you; but we could not possibly have helped
| it."
81 suppose we could if we had tried" she
replied, shaking her golden head half archly,
half regretfully; but it can't be cured now,
and we must make the best of our way to
the boat"
| Owes of cnnrse we ,nnst y he rntnrnnd