The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-08-29

am sure you would go dry-shod all
your life IL some one should plead with
you to wade"
Oh, how she tantalized and vexed
him.
"Really," in a half-injured tone,
"they are thoroughly dry. l run nc
risk"
Manchester deiberated before he
made any further advance. Then lift
ing up the umbrella and scanning its
entire length he said with some exas.
peration
"How does it happen that for mere
ly one asking am in possession of this
article ! should suppose that because
wanted to carry it couldn't have
had 1t OH any terms
"Oh, that is easily explained. You
did not want to carry tit was merely
a stress of politeness that impelled you
to ask to do it. If you had really
craved the pleasure of course you
couldn't have had it.
81 hate an umbrella" he answered
with vehemence. "You can have it
back, Miss Shepherd. 1t will serve as
support instead of my arm
81 get on very well without either.
No sooner was this uttered than a
sudden whim on the part of the storm
sent the rain pouring down upon them.
It was retiring salaam--au effusive
revoir.
There was moments grim satisfac.
ton 10 Manchester in seeing the water
dashed into her defenceless face. He
would have telt thoroughly justified in
leaving her to get the full force of it as
long as it should last.
But pity, tenderness quickly sue
ceeded.
With great difficulty he opened the
umbrella, took her hand with firmness
drew it closely within his arm, and
sheltered her az best he could.
A group of dwarf pines was near, a
little back from the beach in the sand.
He drew her toward them and they
proved an excellent barrier against the
storm. 1t was comparatively calm
there, but she was forced to stand very
close to him to avoid the deluge.
He looked down into her glowing
face. 1t did not seem at all to him as
if either of them lacked good sense in
being there. 1t was delightful-bliss-
full.
"Would you have been as generous
to me- he said, bending down to her,
eff you had had the umbrella and had
been trying by every means to pick a
quarrel with you?"
"Quarrel ~
She lifted her eyes in surprised ques-
ton moment, but dropped them at
once with a vivid blush. She met
something in his, which were at too
close range to be evaded, that made
her heart beat terribly.
But she rallied.
81 never quarrel. 1t is you who dis
tract me always, and because am not
docile you-"
az"
"Yes. You"
eyes, I-love you, Annie"
There was no escape, no room what
ever for coquetry. To turn to the one
side was TO be drenched, to turn to the
other was to be almost within his arms
She was at tremendous disadvan-
tage. She wanted to laugh, but, in
stead, little tremor went over her
chin, and she began to cry.
How he comforted her, how he
soothed her, let the umbrella tell, for it
shut them away from all observers un-
til her self-control was quite restored.
When he lifted it again to take a
peep at the prospect without she was
smiling.
"Rival showers" he said, with a
spark of malice.
The spark kindled no resentment.
She would not seem to hear.
"Do you hate this umbrella? 2 was
her adroit question to turn the sub
ject.
Observation again, caused by the
umbrellas sinking down once more
over their heads.
Standing III the rain for length of
tipe may have romantic elements in it,
buy can never be wholly without anx-
iety or discomfort. Manchester liked
one feature of 1.-THE proximity. But
however kindly the umbrella had lent
itself to their purposes, it had failed to
keep them dry.
So they started homeward, arm in
arm, as they had not come. He was
tender, she compliant.
"How much sweeter woman is who
has been vanquished than one born
tractable," thought the victor
The wind was now at their backs
and helped to speed them along. 1t
must have had a sense of the ludicrous
about it, too, for it suddenly got under
the umbrella and almost carried it out
of Manchester's hands. The handle
would stay with him; the top would
not. 1t made complete revolution of
itself--in other words, turned wrong
side out.
Miss Shepherd was forced to relax
her grip of her lovers arm; his ener-
gies were centered elsewhere. In one
moment more the fatal "yes" would
have been spoken; but fate interposed
hiatus, as fate is apt to do.
Manchester had a great deal of oh.
stinacy that was wont TO come TO the
front in emergencies. Neither his at,
titude hor gait was at the present mo-
ment dignifed, but he manifested de,
termination not to be conquered by an
inanimate thing he had so often re,
viled.
He was in fine chase after il when
his hat caught the contagion and wen,
flying off his head in advance.
Then disgust overcame him. He
gave the umbrella a gay toss, and
bareheaded, returned to Annie. She
was laughing merrily.
81 can live without them," he said
taking her hand and drawing il
through his arm "but | can't withou,
you. Give me your answer, Annie"
"Ah, but look at yourself. You run
great risks in being so uncovered,
with the same accent of concern h,
had used about her shoes.
II