The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-03-01
a What can tt beg"

What can lt be "i tell you it is nothing, Miss Neild, he said ]" don't take any notice of me please. had rather yoa didn't"
 IL wss strange request. but l did not maintained rigid silence. being li,il, nettled presently at his own silent move men,s q m, side. his steady stare ahead of h,n.. the stern expression on his face lie ,naTs ned along in so grave and dams a fashion al last that could have slappet his face for him. What did he mean b, such behavior, wondered. At the end of the je,,y he brought my hear, into m, meath hy suddenly roaring ou,
 " No, I'll never believe 1t, It's magic it's lying dream, it's anything ba, this can't believe i, of you Id rather Jump into the sea than think i, for another mo meni."
 Think what? Good gracious, why don't you tell me ?"
 " Think ,ha, you have deceived me all the time. You. too, of all the 10; si them ,''
 "Wha, have done, Mir. Blrd.'
 " Thts-this umbrella = he cried.
 Well :"
 Il, t's the umbrella dropped down your area! My fathers prescu. can swear ,o il anywhere. They're my in- ,tlals on tha, silver collar. 't,. E. oh heaven and earth. ,o fancy for ono in- stan, ,ha, you Miss Neild. l am going mad. Look a, Ii. look at ti,,'
 l stared from him to the umbrella which he had thrus, into my hands. and tel, going mad myself looked So ter rihly mean and guilty, and yc, was so perfectly innocent. and did no, want him nov to have one thought agains, me was confused. l did not know how ,o explain, l fell too indignant in the mids, oi my grief even to try to explain, for he should no, have jumped to conclusions m this way. but have waited anal and then burst into tears.
 "Oh. pray don't cry" he called out, "fof meroy's sake don't, lane Il don, care abou; the umbrella nov, don't mind your taking
 l. Hs not m,ne" screamed out a las, i;--l, was lent me by Lily Brian because she though, l, Il II would ran before got home. Thcre,"
 Thank God What an awful thici she Is Tor one so young" he cred :" am so tremendously glad though. so aw fully glad
 Take your umbtclla." cried. pitch ing |, at h,m, and am glad i,'s found too, very
 don't mean ,ha, I'm glad founs II, but that you How dare you suspect me - cried al {. but he followed me and held the umbrcll. over my head aga,n and overwhelmed me with herried and ,noohercnt apolo gies which l declined ,o accept
 Perhaps i,'s no, mine." he said a last pray he rational. Miss Neild. 'B stands for Bran as well as nlrd. k MT Bnans christian name George, do 70, think =
 Don, speak to me You know it', your umbrella
 1, IS a h,ile like it. he said dismally
 don, want any miserable evasions Mr Btd. and l never want to see q, speak to you again, and i-~'
 Why. Jenny, what's the matter ' eied Lily brian, suddenly appearing round the corner of the street, and under another umbrella. and with shawl over her arm. where have you been. Ma was afraid you wanted more wraps, and has sent me ou, with them, and how dye do, NIT. Bird Who'd have thought of seeing you this VIC, day: -
 I've offended Miss Ne,ld." he said not smiling in the leas, ai her arch man ncf of address to him.
 !" ! ou oh. what abou, :" she c,ied
 " That nasty, hateful umbrella, l said. " where did you gel !, Lily! oh. where did you ge, il =
 What's ,he matter with the um. brella :" asked Lily very cool and self. possessed.
 "it its not yours" :" exclaimed | never was yours
 No, t's Georges. He len, i, me thl, morning,
 And where where did your bro,her sci Il,
 " don't know
 Bu, we did very shortly. George hao found Il in his fathers area, and, with total disregard for other peoples nghti being young and shoa oi umbrellas had quietly appropriated |, without ,hs slightest fuss I, sas like dispcnsa,iot having his initials already engraved fo hlm, too les. i, was down Mr Brian area that Mr Bird had dropped hls un brcilf that night. and Ceoiiry hat knot ked d, he wrong door by mistake
 call h.m Geoffy nov. And yef) lucky mistake II was. he always says even ,o ;his day. and have been Mrs Btrd three years, and there IS ano,he little Bird growing in IS nest too.
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