Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1884-08-08

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and yet, when | come to think of 1t,
we have not met him out anywhere
either. He must be i'll, or more likely
lie has gone out of town. He VII call
when lie comes back"
This she said, noting that her daugh-
ter looked little pale and out of sorts
But, secretly, she was uneasy herself
Capt. Fortescue had shown signs of be-
ing 50 hot woOer that it seemed very
Improbable he would leave town with
out word to them. At the next op-
p Drtunity she quietly made some in
quirles about him, and learned that
Capt. Fortesgue was neither ill nor
out of town. This was bad news. indeed,
Tor Mrs. Bracegirdlc knew perfect, we'll
that her daughters heart was seriously
touched; and, as Capt. Fortescue was
perfectly "eligible," all had promised
fairly. Now that fair promise was de-
stroyed. There was nothing to be done
except to try, by other distractions, to
erase the Impressions which Capt
Fortescue had made. Mrs. Bracegirdle
devoted herself to her daughter more
tenderly than ever; and the girl under
stool her
Amid all the gaiety and the many en-
gagements which came with every day,
there was melancholy about the
house which had never been there be-
fore. 1t was impossible tor them to
Danish it altogether. Lven Master
Harry, cheerful youth of about IA,
became aware of it at last, and declared
his sister was not half as Jolly as she
used to be-" One day. when his
mother and sister were taking quiet
half hour before dressing for dinner, he
came into the room, carrying an UNI
brella.
IL say, mother. this umbrellas been
IN the stand for o month. Ihe fellow
it belonged to has forgotten all about
it, l expect; don't you think l might
have it,"
Isn't it yours?" said Mrs. Brace
girdle. Il gave you a silver-handled
ono last year"
90, lost that long ago." replied the
youth, coolly; "and may as well have
this instead. It's like mine, but ever so
much sweller. There's name Ell
gravel on it but / could have that
scratched out"
Let me see the name," said Mrs.
Brareglrdle. She took it, and read
"Fortescue."
An odd look came over her face She
said nothing for q moment, but seemed
plunged i'll thought; then she rose, and
went downstairs to the dining-room.
She rang the bell, and the stern eyed
maid appeared.
Eliza" she said, can you remem-
Der the appearance of that young man
who came one day and asked for an
umbrella? lie came twice, think you
said, and asked for me the second time.
Will you describe him, ii you CAM"
He was quite q gentleman to look
at, ma'am,' said Eliza but this sort
mostly are. Tall, and broad-shoul-
dered, and military looking, with blue
eyes. very short. fair hair, and long.
heavy, far mustache."
That will do, liza," said Miss
Bracegirdle; you can 60"
AS soon as l. liza had left the room,
Mrs. Bracegirdle sat down and wrote a
note. Then she tore it up and wrote
another, which was merely an informal
invitation to lunch next day.
hen she called Harry down 70 her.
Harry she said, Il want you to go
to Capt. FortesIue rooms and take
this note and the umbrella. See him
If you possibly can, and try to explain
about this unhappy umbrella I'd that
wretched, stupid Eliza
Then she tod Master Harry the
story, at which he laughed immensely.
"Now, you must not laugh, but think
how you can do the thing nicely,
Harry. You can manage it admirably,
if you choose. 1t is too absurd to put
on paper. And make Capt. Fortescue
promise to come to lunch, just to show
he bears no malice"
Harry put on his best manners and
accomplished his task well, though he
felt much aggrieved at having to give up
the umbrella. Capt. Fortescue came
to lunch; and this time Eliza admitted
him, and blushed as she did So.