The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-24

next two days, but when. at the expi-
ration of that period, his umbrella was
not returned, he laughed cynically,
and softly quoted staLza from an old
German ballad, about naiad and a
knight, and purchased a new umbrella
The next morning he received tel.
egram which necessitated journey to
the far West, where he was interested
in an extensive land operation.
He poked few necessary articles
into valise. and donning travelling
suit, ran down to Clarice's boudoir, tc
tell her that he was going.
"How unfortunate" she cried, when
he showed her the telegram; Cam
you postpone the trip"
"No it is impossible q. My presence
is imperatively needed
"And Mable will come tomorrow
l have written, inviting her to spend {
couple of weeks with us; and l am SC
anxious for you to meet her.
81 am very sorry, but think l shal
have to forego the pleasure of meeting
Miss Mabel Wright" said Chauncey
and kissing Clarice he hastened away
The business complications were
more serious than he had at first i'm
agined, and it was not until the begin
ing of September that he telegraph9d
Clarice TO look for him.
He expected the carriage would be
at the depot when he arrived, but
finding nOne lie boarded a street car
1t was raining, and instinctively his
thought reverted to another rainy day
and he longed for his missing UNI
brella.
Several times he was tempted tc
stop and purchase one on the way, but
put it off until all the stores had beeI
passed.
"Well, Pm in for it again!' he said
and, reaching the old familiar corner
he alighted and ran to the sidewalk
which was shaded by an awning.
A lady came out of the store, and hi
stepped aside for her to pass.
She raised her umbrella, and he
caught a glimpse of her face.
I A long gossamer cloak protected
her slender form now, but the fact
that was raised to his was the one he
had met on the same corner several
months before.
"My naiad, by jove" he muttered
land I'll be blessed if she amt carry.
ing my umbrella!'
A hot flushed dyed the cheek of the
lady and Chauncey ground his teeth
for having uttered his brutal com
ment.
81 beg pardon, Mr.. Walton" sh'
said, facing him quickly, "but this i:
the first opportunity have had of re
turning the umbrella you so kindly
loaned me several months ago.
thank you for the kind service.
saved me from disagreeable wet
ting"
And gave me one," said Chauncey
laughing
81 am thankful that I can proven
recurrence of the catastrophe" sale
the lady. g;avely, and she held ou
the umbrella.
"But it is still raining" said Chaun
cey," and custom gives me courage t.
brave another wetting."
"My gossamer is sufficient protec
tion," she said, placing the umbrell;
in his hands, and with a little bow
she turned and left him.
He was half tempted to follow her
and stood on the corner several min
utes, staring after her.
81 wonder how she learned m,
name?" he said half aloud, and then
recollecting the card he had given her
he shrugged his shoulders, and raised
the umbrella.
"Quite a coincidence" he muttered
and walked away.
Clarice came down to meet him
and after kissing him multitude o
times, and commenting upon his bron
zed face and fine appearance, she said
81 was away when your telegram
arrived, and Auntie mislaid it. Sh
thought you were to arrive to- morrow
and when the telegram was found i
was too late to catch the train. | an
glad you had an umbrella, though.
Eyes. 1t was the one l loaned to ;
lady several months ago, just befor
my departure for the West. She mus
have received intelligence that
would arrive at the corner, umbrella
less; for when | alighted from the car
she received me, and returned the um
brella in the most cool and matter o
course way, and he told Clarice tn
whole story.
1t is very funny" she said, 81 hop
, you didn't fall in love with her. Nv
heard of such things"