Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1885-11-12
I met the girl Of the
And gently took her N
l thought I'd pop the ?
But I didn't have the So
The Silk Umbrella.
BY ELWOOD BURKE.

---~->----
It was raining heavily, and there
seemed likelihood that the storm
would continue all day.
The ovcrhanging clouds were black
and heavy. and the rain drops fell with
such Il persistent and unceasing patter,
patter, patter, that the cutters became
swiftly moving rivers. and the streets
one vast morass.
Chauncey Walton lasily surveyed
his dripping surroundings from the
rear bench of an open street car, and
allowed his half-consumed cigar to go
out.
He was very rich, and having been
''born to the purple" so to speak, had
all of those indescribable tastes which
betoken the true gentleman.
He dressed quietly. though elegantly
and every thing from his light spring
hat to his smartly polished shoes was
in harmony.
Both of his gloved hands rested on
the carved handle of silk umbrella
which he held between hiss knees,
As the car neared the street corner
where he was to get oil, he shook out
the folds of his umbrella, and edged to-
waal the side of the car.
lie had no desire to splash his pol
ished shoes and sigIaled the driver to
stop.
At the same time lady, young and
very quietly and modestly dressed, rose
from her seat, and started to aligbt.
The rain was now descending in tor
rents and Chauncey Walton, standing
in the narrow step which ran along the
side of the Car, with his umbrella up
raised, shrugged his shoulders, aud
tossed away his cigar.
The car came to stand still, and the
young lady before mentioned, hesltated
moment before stepping into the
muddy street.
Chauncey,who had alighted, noticed
that she was unprovided with an UNI
brella, and with true gallantry ,advanc.
ed to her side.
ALLOW Y he said, raising his hat,and
and shelterng her with the umbrella.
oh, thank you, sir said a musical
voice, and by the time they reached the
pavement Chauncey's shoes were sadly
splashed.
He glanced down at them ruefully,
shrugged his shoulders, and then ven.
tured furtive look at his companion.
A round and pretty face, intellectual
and well.bred, was raised to his, and
pair of large, expressive blue eyes took
in the contour of his face.
If you will permit me, said Chaun-
cey, pulling a card from his pocket,
you are welcome to the umbrella. |
have only short distance to 50, and
can easily make it. My address is on
that card, and you can return the UNI
brella at your convenience
He raised his hat, bowed low, as the
lady murmured her thanks, and then.
pulling up the collar Of his coat,Struck
out boldly through the rain.
When he reached the magnificent
home which he shared with au only
sister and maiden aunt, he was soak
ed to the skin, and Clarice Walton.
meeting him in the hallway, clasped
her hands in holy horror as she regard
ed his dripping garments.
why, Channcey she exclaimed,
had you no umbrella 2
I had, but lady who got off at the
same corner, needed it more than l did,
and l very cheerfulIy rellnguished it..
'You careless fellow I cried C]arice,
patting bis cheek, your chivalry will
cost you your life one of these days.
1t wouldn't surprise me bit If you
were laid up with the rheumatism or
pneumonia, or bad cold, or something
of the sort. Change your clothes in
stantIy, and come to dinner. l have
news to tell YOU
FIRST kissing his pretty sister, who
was something of a tyrant, and ordered
him about as though he were a school
boy, Chauncey assembled to his room to
change clothing.
When he. descended to the lower