National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-08-23
A CAPTAINS UMBRELLA.

of ono happy evening with the prettiest
girl of the season. And the gallant captain
fell desperately in love with her. He
went homo in tho bright mistiness Of an
early summer morning in high foyer of
excitement, for no believed that Miss
Bracegirdlo Vowed him with considerable
favor.
Tho next afternoon he went TO call on
her. She seemed to him oven more beau
tiful in the daylight aud in plain dress
he became momentarily more and moro
In love. And now no faucied that not
only Miss Bracegirdlo, but her mother,
regarded him with kindly eyes. In that
case he had but to so in and win. He
resolved so to do, and left the house so
full of his passion and his thoughts that
he forgot--his umbrella This was no
unusual circumstances. Capt. Fortosquo
was given TO forgetting his umbrella,
and leaving IL In u hanson cab or any
othor convenient place. Thus IL hap.
pened that this which ho had now left
was tho only one hc possessed. The next
day he know Miss Braoegirdle was going
to an afternoon fcte at tho Botanical gar
dens. Ho intended TO moet her there.
But it was showery, thunderous weather,
and no folt that to visit the Botanical
gardens without an umbrella would BIO
dangerous md difficult Besides, an UNI
brella Is often admirably useful during
tho progress of love affair.
He had learned by accident that tho
Bracogirdles were going out shopping in
the morning Ho determined, therefore,
to call and ask tho housemaid to give him
his umbrella. This seemed exceedingly
simple, but luck was against Capt For
tesque Tho maid who admitted him on
l h.. l.f n. 4. l. A.
departed In four.wheeled cab, with two
boxes on top of IL, her month being up.
A new maid had taken her place--one Of
o less smiling disposition than tho last.
II called hero yesterday afternoon"
said tho captain, land left my umbrella.
VIII you let me have it2"
Something In the sternness of tho eyes
which were upon him mado him faiter be-
fore he had said tho last word of his re-
quest; it suddenly occurred TO him that ho
might find II little difficult to provo
that the umbrella in question was indeed
| his own.
mo, thank you" said the maid, i've
had enough Of that at my last place. I'm
not going to get in trouble here. Better
take to an honest trade, young man."
with which piece of advice she shut tho
door in Capt Fortesquo's face, leaving the
officer astonished, quenched and crest
fallen. He went straightaway and bought
a new umbrella. Armed with this and
admirably attired in other respects, no
went to the Botanical gardens, whore no
met Miss Bracegirdle. who seemed more
beautiful, more charming, and more
graceful than ever.
As soon as seemed at oil decent he called
again, feeling very contented with him
self and his fate. But when he asked
whether Mrs. Braoegirdle was at homo
aud the stern maid eyed him for silent,
awful instant, his spirits fell strangely.
she 10 not" said the maid, and shut
the door with an abruptness that gave
him singular, disconsolate feeling.
When, about an hour later, the ladies
came in and the maid brought them some
tea, she said to Mrs. Bracegrdle: "If you
please. ma'am, that young man has been
here again who came with the umbrella
dodge. He asked If you were at home
of course no knew you were not-and /
suppose he had some plan for getting into
the house, but shut the door in his face
and would not listen"
That's right, Eliza" said Mrs. Brace
girdle. never give them chance to get
inside tho hall. There's been too much
Of that stealing Of coats and umbrellas in
this neighborhood; 1t never would happen
with sensible housemaid. Master Harry
leaves his things hanging in tho hall, so
that 1t would be quite easy to carry of q
coat or umbrella, If you left tho man
there alone only for minute. If he is so
impudent as to come again, the moment
you see who II Is shut the door"
The next afternoon was Mrs. Brace
girdle's day lat home" Capt Fortesque
had not intended to go then; he wanted
the lovely Miss Bracegirdle to himself
not surrounded by crowd of admirers.
But as he had not been able to see her
the day before, he determined to brave
the crowd and be content If he got one
smile all his own. And so no presented
himself onco more at Mrs. Bracegirdle's
door, this time knowing her to be within.
But when it was opened and no conf
IDENTIFY framed the phrase. MRS. Brace
girdle at homer" and proposed immedi.
ately to enter, the maid said shortly,
No, she is not" and quickly shut the
door upon him.
No word can describe his feelings. He
stared blankly at the handsome door. we'll
shut and firm, that suddenly had closed
upon him and separated him from his
love. What could this awful thing mean?
Had Mrs. Bracegirdle heard something
false, of course, and uttered by some other
base admirer of her daughter-which had
made her take this cruel stop? 1t was
impossible to guess. 1t was impossible to
knock again and ask; it was ridiculous to
stand staring at the door. He turned to
descend the steps and walked down the
street.
Before he had gone half way he met o
hated rival, a very fine fellow, whom he
had only begun to hato in tho last three
or four days, since no had noticed that
Miss Bracegirdle sometimes gave him
very charming and encouraging glances.
Capt. Fortesque walked on slowly, and
listened for tho confident rata tat-tat of
his rival. He heard it, listened, and
looked back. The door was opened and
the visitor instantly admitted.
The unhappy man who had been turned
away from that samo entrance sighed
heavily and went away down the sunny
street hanging his head. He told himself
that 1t would be only fool or a madman
who could pretend to misunderstood 80
plain refusal as this. Perhaps il was
meant kindly, he thought, and groaned ut
the thought. Miss Bracegrdle was no
coquette, and did not care to have men
offer her their lovo whom sho had
intention Of accepting it.
He was SO desperately enamored of
her that no busted himself in trying
to SEQ this cruel cut as kind decd. His
hopes were gone; but he could not bear so
suddenly to lose his idol He determined
ho would not worry her by his unwelcome
presence where she could not easily avoid
him, nor permit himself to be laughed at
by his successful rival. So no excused
himself from certain engagements at
houses whero no know he should meet
her. Ho gave up dancing, and took to
cards instead,
Mamma" said Miss Bracegirde one
day, doesn't it seem odd that for three
weeks Capt FortesqIe has not called2"
ut does" said Mrs. Bracegirdle, land
yet, when l come to think of 1t, we have
not met him out anywhere, either. He