The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-08-28
A CAPTAINS UMBRELLA.

Captain Fortescue danced for the
best part of one happy evening with
the prettiest girl of the season. And
the gallant Captain fell desperately in
love with her. He went home in the
bright mistiness of an early summer
morning in high fever of excitement,
for he believed that Miss Bracegirdle
viewed him with considerable favor.
The next afternoon he went to- call
on her. She seemed to him even more
beautiful in the daylight, and in a
simple dress; he became momentarily
more and more in love. And now he
fancied that not only Miss Bracegirdle
but her mother regarded him with
kindly eyes. In that case he had but
to 60 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
circumstance. Captain Fortescue was
given to forgetting his umbrella, and
leaving it in a hanson cab or any other
convenient place. Thus it happened
that this which he had now left was the
only one he possessed. The next day
he knew Miss Bracegirdle was going to
an afternoon fete at the Botanical Gar
dens. He intended TO meet her there.
But twas showery, thunderous weather,
and he felt that to visit the Botanical
Gardens without an umbrella would be
dangerous and difficult Besides, an
umbrella is often admirably useful
during the progress of love affair.
He bad learned by accident that the
ritsHt III
in the morning. He determined, there
fore, to call and ask the housemaid to
give him his umbrella. This seemed
exceedingly simple, but luck was
against Captain Fortescne. The maid
who admitted him on the day before
had this verv morning departed in a
four-wheeled cab with two boxes on the
top of it, her month being cup"
Anew maid had taken her place-one
OF less smiling disposition than the
! last "a IlI-.."
4 called here yesterday afternoon,
said the Captain, land left my UNI
brellai will you let me have it?''
Something in the sternness of the
eyes which were upon him made him
falter before he had said the last word
OF his request; it suddenly occurred to
nm that he might find it little diff
cult to prove that the umbrella in ques-
tlon 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 into trouble
here. Better take to an honest trade,
Young man." With which piece of adj
wee she shut the door in Captain For
tescue's face, leaving the officer aston
lshed, quenched and crestfallen. He
went straightway and bought a new
umbrella. Armed with this, and adj
mlrably attired in other respects, he
went to the Botanical Gardens, where
Z ne met Miss Bracegirdle, who seemed
more beautiful, more charming and
more graceful than ever.
So AS soon as seemed at all decent he
4 called again, feeling very contented
with himself and his fate. But when
ne asked whether Mrs. Bracegirdle was
az home. and the stern maid eyed him
lot silent, awful instant, his spirits
iell strangely.
She is not, " said the maid, and shut
sae door with an abruptness that gave
Mm slngularly disconsoIate feeling
when, about an hour later, the ladies
same m and the maid brought them
ssg, some tea, she said to Mrs. Bracegirdle;
u you please, ma am, that young man
nas oeen here again who came one day
WIN WIN the umbrella dodge. He asked if
you were at home-of course he knew
YOU We're not and suppose he had
s9a soane plan oS getting into the house;
sat | Shut tie door in his face and
would not listen"
mats right, Eliza, "said Mrs. Brace
sauie' 'never give them a chance to
gss INSIDE the hall. There's been too
I.agn S.aG OF that stealing of coats and um-
"s'ias IN this neighboraood; it never