The Washington critic., 1885-06-23
UNDER AN UMBRELLA.
WHAT HAPPENED AT A PICNIC.

curcu now ana we must make the pest OF
our way to the boat"
Eyes, of course we must" he returned
cheerfully. "1 wish we could find some
one to direct us; / don't know this part of
the world at all. Where are we to meet
the shallop?"
"What, don't you know?' questioned
Miss de Lara, an alarmed look coming
into the blue eyes.
~ must confess | don't. ! supposed
you would be sure to know, and the others;
or perhaps never thought aboutit at ALL"
"Oh, dear, this IS unfortunatel What
are we to do? ] was not there when the
arrangements were made. What can we
do?'
"Ifyou are not too tired, | think we had
down the river"
SO they tried but they did not appar-
emily succeed for no river came within
view and poor Maud, who never was q
good walker, began to stumble over the
long grass from fatigue.
Then Mr.. Dunstan insisted upon her
taking his arm, and they grew more cheer
ful under this close contact the girl feel
ing that awkward as was their position,
she had still strong arm to protect her
AT length they came to a cottage, and
went at once to the door and were told
that they had come quite away from the
river WHICH was now ABOUT II mic ana
q half distant; then, seeing their plight,
the good-natured country woman invited
them in, and noticing how tired and pale
poor Maud looked, she made her some tea
and insisted on her taking off her shoes,
and doing her best to dry them by the fire.
Mr.. Dunstan inquired whether any con-
veyance could be found to take them to
the river side, but there was none to be
had within getable distance.
Refreshed with that beverage which
cheers but does not inebriate, Maud started
off once more with >her companion, leav-
ing glad heart behind in the humble
cottage; for Edwin Dunstan was gener-
Gus fellow, and, seeing evidence of the
pinch of poverty around, had left golden
piece in the woman's palm. When they
reached the river they could for time gain
no information respecting the Swan, and
they walked along the water side, hoping
that the boat would soon ovcrtake them;
and the girl grew so tired that Edwin
Dunstan persuaded her to rest under a
tree, with fallen limb for her seat. But
no shallop arrived, and the pretty face be-
came anxious and worried.
By-and-by barge came up against the
stream. Mr.. Dunstan hailed it, and found
that the Swan was q long way down the
river-the barges had especially noticed
her; and, upon further inquiry, he was
still more annoyed to learn that they
point from which they had started, so it
was evident that they had doubled, like
hares and the only thing left for them to
do was to return to the creek where they
had landed, and hire a boat to convey
them to Radleigh, distance Of ten
miles.
Tears rose in the girls eyes when she
heard of the dilemma she was in, and her
companion strove to reassure her
Don't fret, Miss de Lara; who knows
but what we may overtake them? They
are sure to wait reasonable time for
u.s., and we will make inquiries at all the
locks"
They had some difficulty in persuading
any of the boatmen to take them so great
distance; but money does most things,
and it overcame the unwillingness of the
men to start for so long pull, when even
Ing. was fast closing in on such dismal
night.
trying snatches of songs, their voices
blending together and going out over the
water softly and melodiously; so that
passers-by on the land stopped to listen,
and more than once faces peered from the
windows of houses upon the banks, at
tracted by the music under that UNI
brella.
But the singing proved failure as the
shades of evening drew on, and the SILVER
ing girl crept closer to Edwin Dunstan for
warmth and shelter.
There was no one there to see them
even the boatman was shut out by that
paragon frame covered with thick brown
silk. There was no one to hear, for the
boatman was decidedly deaf. Had these
they would, of course, have been ordi-
nary acquaintance upon this the first of
their meeting; but the circumstances
were not at all ordinary, and Edwin
really felt obliged to put his arms about
the little shrinking form to protect it all
he could (or ut any rate it pleased him to
think so) from the stormy night wind, for
the rain had not ceased for Il moment,
and it seemed quite natural to clasp the
small cold hands which she trusted in his
with such child-like confidence; and
when a few tears rolled slowly down the
pale face, there is not much wonder that
he kissed them away under that protect
ing umbrella, nor that he strove to COM
fort her in his own fashion.
81 said you were not to be conventional
little Maud" he whispered softly; "rest
your head upon my shoulder that will be
a pillow for you"
t.But ought |? Do you think ought?
What would Beatrice sayY'
He was nearly as possible saying,
"Bother Beatrice"' but, instead, he re-
piled; .
one, cannot you trust yourself to me?n-
And she had crept quite close, like u
| tired child glad to be at rest and SO he
had held her tenderly, his heart going out
to her with great love.
Then he leaned over her and spoke
again:
"Only fancy! we met to-day for the
| first time, and yet it seems as though |
had known you all my life. Perhaps
have seen you in my dreams; but sweet
| Maud, | cannot part from you again.
| You asked me Just now what Mrs Roley
| would say; that do not know, but whatever
| it may be, you will give me the right to
| stand by you. Maud, will you be my
| wife?n
And he stopped and kissed her rosy lips
| unchidden, once, twice, thrice; and again
| there was silence, delicious silence, which,
| like man, he broke.
"You do not answer me- my little love.
| Are you happy-are you content"'
More than happy-more than content.
| Ny heart is too fun for words"
my little queen" he whispered, chow
| fortunate il was brought my umbrellai
| otherwise might never have gained you
| for my wife. / wonder if another man
| ever won so charming bride thus
| strangely"
And the oars went on with their monot-
| onous turn in the rowlocks, and darkness
| set in, while those two, sheltered under
| the umbrella, needed nothing but their
| own Joy. When they reached Ripplebank
| there was great connection.
| Mrs Roley had waited for thelost couple
| for half an hour at the place appointed;
then she had inquired of some people
coming up stream, and had learned that
| thew had seen gentleman and lady enter