The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-10-22

room TO change ms clothlng,
When he descended to the lower
floor Clarice was awaiting him in the
library.
"Dinner is not quite ready" she
said, rising to meet him, "and, until
it's announced, l want to talk to you
about my dearest friend Mabel Wright,
from whom Ihaye just received a let
ter. 1t ought to have been here day
before yesterday, but she thinking we
were in the country, addressed the let
ter to Oaklands, and it was remailed
to me there, delaying its reception
two days"
"Oh, botherl" muttered Chauncey
under his breath, with an ill-suppress-
ed yawn, but he threw himself into a
chair, and tried to look interested.
Meanwhile Clarice unfolded the let
ter and began to read paragraph here
and there.
Mabel was coming to Boston to visit
a relative, and would be pleased to call
upon her dear Clarice. She had heard
SO much of that paragon of brother
of hers, that she was anxious to meet
him, etc., etc. All OF which Chauncey
heard, as in a dream, for he was think
ing of the quietly dressed little figure,
who thanked him so sweetly for the
loan Of his umbrella, but he made suit
able replies when his sister extrava-
gently praised the beauty of Miss Ma
bel Wright, although he gave sigh
of relief when dinner was announced.
Somehow, his thoughts wandered a
great deal to the stranger, during the
next two days, but when, at the expir-
alton of that period, his umbrella was
not returned, he laughed cynically,
and softly quoted stanza from an old
German ballad, about naiad and a
knight, and purchased a new umbrella
The next morning he received tel
egram which necessitated a journey
to the far West, where he was interest
ed in an extensive land operation.
He poked a few necessary articles
into valise, and donning travelling
suit, ran down to Clarice's boudoir, to
tell her that he was going.
GLOW unfortunate!" she cried, vher
he showed her the telegram; "Can't
you postpone the trip?"
"No, it is imposiblel My presence ii
imperatively needed
"And Mabel will come tomorrow
have written, inviting her to spenG
| a couple Of weeks with us; and an
so anxious for you to meet her.
81 am very sorry, but / think I shall
have to forego the pleasure Of meeting
Miss Mabel Wright" said Chauncey
and kissing Clarice he fastened away
The business complications were
more serious than he had at first i'm
agined, and it was not until the begin
ming OF September that he telegraphe,
Clarice to look for him.
He expected the carriage would b
! at the depot when he arrived, but
: finding none, he boarded street car
1t was raining, and instinctively hi
thought reverted to another rainy day
and he longed for his missing umbrel
la.
Several times he was tempted t
stop and purchase one on the way, bu
put it off until all the stores had bee
passed.
"Well, I'm in for it againl" he sale
and, reaching the old familiar corne
he alighted and ran to the sidewalk
: which was shaded by an awning.
A lady came out of the store, an
!, he stepped aside for her to pass.
y She raised her umbrella, and
' caught glimpse Of her face.
A long gossamer cloak protected hi
slender form now, but the face thu
- was raised to his was the one he ha
met on the same corner sewers
= months before.
my naiad, by iovep he muttere,
. "and I'll be blessed if she amt carr
y ing my UMBRELLA
A hot flush dyed the cheek of IL
= lady and Chauncey ground his teet
= for having uttered his brutal cor
ment.
y Il beg pardon, Mr.. Walton" she sa
= facing him quickly, "but this is Il
first opportunity / have had OF retur
ing the umbrella you so kindly loa
- ed me several months ago. thar
- you for the kind service. 1t saved n
= from a disagreeable wetting-"
"And gave me one," said chaunc,
= laughing,
: II am thankful that l can preven
:. - recurrence of the catastrophe" sa
: the lady, gravely, and she held out t
q umbrella.
y "But it is still raining" said Chau
cey, "and custom gives me courage
~ brave another wetting."
"My gossamer is sufficient prot,
~ tion," she said, placing the umbre