Milford chronicle., 1885-10-02
THE SILK UMBRELLA.
BY ELwooD BURKE.

It was raining heaVlly, anu theIe
seemed a likelihood that the storm
would continue all day.
The overhanging clouds were black
and heavy, and the rain drops fell
with such a persistent and unceasing
patter, patter, patter, that the cutters
became swiftly moving rivers, and the
streets one vast morass.
Chauncey Walton lazily surveyed his
dripping surroundings from the rear
bench of an open street-Har, and al
lowed 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 elegant
", and everything from his light spring
hat to his smartly polished shoes was
in harmony.
Both of his gloved hands rested on
the carved handle of a silk umbrella,
which he held between his knees.
As the car neared the street corner
where he was to get of, he shook out
the folds of his umbrella, and edged
toward the side of the car.
He had no desire to splash his pol
ished shoes and signaled for the driver
to stop.
At the same time lady, young and
very quietly and modestly dressed, rose
from her seat, and started to alight.
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
appraised, shrugged his shoulders, and
tossed away his cigar.
The car came to stand-still, and
the young lady before mentioned, hest
tated a moment before gtepping int
the muddy street.
Chauncey, who had alighted, noticed
that she was unprovided with an UNI
brella, and with true gallantry, ad
vanced to her side.
"Allow mep' he said, raising hi
hat, and sheltering her with the UNI
brella
"Oh, thank you, sirr' said a musica
voice, and by the time they reached
the pavement Chauncey shoes wer
sadly splashed.
He glanced down at them ruefuny
shrugged his shoulders. and then ven
tured a furtive look at his companion
A round and pretty face, intellect
ual and well-bred, was raised to his
and a pair of large, expressive blu
ewes 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 go, an
can easily make It. My address is o.
that card, and you can return the un
brella at your convenience"
He raised his hat, bowed low, as tn
lady murmered her thanks, and thel
pulling up the collar of his Goa
struck out boldly through the rain.
When he reached the magnifcer
home that he shared with an only ST
ter and a maiden aunt, he was soakt
to the skin, and Clarice Walton, NEE
ing him in the hallway, clasped HI
hands in playful horror as she regar'
ed his dripping garments.
"Why, ChaunceyF' she exclaime
chad you no umbrella|
81 had, but a lady who got off at Il
same corner, needed it more than
did, and very cheerfulIy relinquis
ed it"
aYou careless fellowP' cried ClariC
patting his cheek, ''your chivalry W
cost you your life one of these day.
wouldn't surprise me bit if you we
laid up with rheumatism or pneum
mia, or q bad cold, or something
the sort Change your clothes
stantly, and come to dinner. ha
news to tell you"
First kissing his pretty sister, W
was something Of tyrant, and ord'
ed him about as though he were
schOol-boy. Chauncey gcended to
room to change his clothing.
When he descended to the Low
aOor Clarice was awaiting him in t
library.
aDinner is not quite ready" 5
said, rising to meet him, "and, un
it's announced. 1 want to talk to y
about my dearest friend Mabel Wrig
from whom have just received /
.er. It ought to have been here d
before yesterday. but she thinking
s we're in the country, addressed the
tar to Oaklands, audit was remailed
me there, delaying its reception :
snwu