The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-05-22
The COl0lGl's Umbrella.
By H. s. Keller.

ashes from his cigar, paced to the farther end of the veranda, and returning to the questioner's side he said:
 Harry, what m 1de you ask me that question:"
 The young man upon whose shoulder the colonels hand rested lightly lifted his eyes in astonishment Evidently the colonel is deeply moved. As evi- dently the young man is at his wits ends to find possible reason for the oth- ers honest-toned voice, which seems to have searched out the motive for asking the question which opens my story.
 Why, all men marry; that is, men of means, or, at least they should marry.
 You have not"
 And for good reason am not able"
 You could keep up very comforta- ble household if you were not-well, what you are, said the colonel as he moved away.
 An, hold on, colonel! Don't leave me in that matter-of-fact manner" said tho young man. But the other paid no attention to his words He went town the broad steps and walked slowly away in the moonlight.
 know what he means. He might just as we'll have told me in so many words that l was a spendthrift. Hang it all l know am very careless about money matters If had been forced to win my way up from the ranks it would have been different. l would then know the value of dollar An, we'll! Life is short, my dear colonel, and here she comes"
 Was it the tap-tap of the tiny shoes or the frou-frou of the snowy skirts that made Harry Lancaster's heart throb tumultously2 It was both, and the knowledge that the woman he loved better than all the world was approach ing Rising, he lifted his hat, tossed his cigar over the rail and offered this charming creature in white his chair
 Do not get up Mir. Lancaster; merely came out for a short walk up and down the veranda. Isn't it lovely evening"" There was q witchery in the tones of that low, sweet voice Harry Lancaster's heart pumped away more vigorously than ever in his bosom. If the veranda roof hadn't been cave iiiiIStNt VI Nlbh lHt IllOOIlllSIll hOulQ have disclosed the hot flush that man. tied the young mans face. Rowing low, he was one of the most polite men alive, he said:
 It is, indeed, delightful evening. If you will not accept my chair, will you permit me to offer you my arm for the stroll Y"
 She laid her pretty white hand upon his arm. When they reached the other end of the veranda they turned to re- trace their steps
 An, was that not fre-fy? Over there among those bushes to the right See-there it is again. Now it has dis appeared"
 It may be fre-hy, but it is my opin- ion that the colonel is smoking cigar there among the shadows" said Harry.
 Is that charming old beau here?" she suddenly asked, allowing her hand to slip from the others arm.
 [" He came this afternoon.
 And as l was not down to tea did not meet him."
 You seem to be we'll acquainted with the colonel Miss Lisle"
 Fairly. Really ought not to have spoken so shamefully about him. He is perfect gentleman-but detest that quaint idea of his strange um- brella."
 "Umbrellal What umbrella may I inquire?" asked Harry
 Why, have you never heard about the colonels umbrella?'
 "Never."
 Colonel Stone possesses blue, old fashioned umbrella which is supposed to be very potent love charm; or, in other words, when he invites lady to share his shelter against the rain the lady heart is won forthwith Strange is it not?"
 should dislike you to accept its shelter" softly said Harry, lifting the white hand and pressing it to his lips,
 If the lady understood his meaning she was coy in acknowledging his words purport But she quickly disengaged her hand from his, slipped it over his arm, and the pair resumed the stroll just in time to meet the colonel as he ascended the steps The latter lifted his hat and passed on into the hotel while Harry and Leona continued to murmur sweet nothings under the friendly shadow of the ivy-trellised yer anda.
 x
 The next morning Harry's heart was like lead when he looked from the win dow and saw the leaden clouds scurry- ing along the angry horizon.
 Rain! And 1 was to take her out for a drive! Well, I suppose I must make the best of it and while away the time in the parlors," muttered he as he performed his toilet
 When he entered the dining-room he saw that Miss Lisle's place was vacant An, the colonels chair, too, is vacant Over his coffee Harry made the resolve to make or break before night Hewill ask her for that dainty, white hand, He feels in his heart of hearts that she does not dislike him. On the contrary there is something in those lovely blue eyes that tells him she rather is pleased with his presence,