Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-06-23
The COIOneI's Umbrella


Harry, what made you ask me that
question:"
''Why, all men marry; that is, men of
means, or at least they should marry. .
"You have not"
''And for a good reason. l am not
able
"You could keep up a very cOmforta-
bic household if YOU were nOt-well,
what you are" said the colonel, as he
moved away.
II know what he means, +" SAID Harry
Lancaster when left alone. ''lIe might
Just as well told me in as many words
that | was a spendthrit. Hang 1t all! L
know | am very careless about money
matters. If had been forced to win
my way up from the ranks 1t would
have been different. 1 would then know
the value of dollar. All, well! Life IS
short, my dear colonel. Here she
comes
''Do not get up, Mr.. Lancaster, l
merely came out for a short walk up
and down the veranda. Isn't it love
ly evening?' There was witchery i'll
the tones of that low, sweet voice.
Harry Lancaster's heart thumped away
more vigorously than ever in his bosom
at the sound of LeOna Lisle's voice.
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.
''Ah, was that not a FREELY over there
among those bushes to the right? See,
there it is again. Now it has disap-
peared."
st may be a FREELY, but it is my
opinion that the colonel is smoking a
cigar there among the shadows" said
Harry.
s'Is that charming old beau herer
she suddenly asked, allowing her hand
to slip from the others arm.
"Are you well acquainted with the
colonel, Miss Lisle?''
Fairly. He is perfect gentleman
but | do deteSt that quaint idea OF his
strange umbrella"
'.Umbrellal What umbrella, may
inquirer asked Harry.
"Why, have you never heard aOou
the cOlOnel's umbrella?"
Never
| "Colonel Stone possesses q blue, Old
fashioned umbrella which is supposed tC
be a verypotent love-charm, or, III othel
| words. when he invites lady to share
its shelter against the rain the lady
heart is won forthwith. Strange, IS Il
not?"
81 should dislike you to accept Its
shelter" softly said Harry, lifting thu
white hand and pressing it 10 his lips.
The next morning Harry's heart wa
like lead when he looked from the WIN
dow and saw the laden clouds scurrylnt
along the angry horizon.
.'RainI And | was to take her on
for a drive! Well, l suppose | mus
make the best of it, and while away th'
time in the parlors," he muttered as IL
performed his toilet.
When he entered the dining-room h
saw that Miss LiSle's place was vacant
All, the colonei's chair, too is vacant!
He went to the smOkIng-room, hShte'
a cigar. and seated himself near a win
dow overlooking the white stretch o
sand, the curling wave creSts, and low
ering sky.
All. A couple approach from I'm
beach. The gentleman carrieS-a blu
umbrella As the pair draw near Harry
heart beats wilder and wilder.
1t must be the colOnels umbrella. L
is the colonel. But who is the lady!
Only Miss Leona Lislel 'Pshaw! In
a-fool to think anything strange aDou
thisl What do care about the colonel
umbrella OF its potent charmI But
wish il was some one else than Leona,
unused Harry, as he tossed away HI
cigar and went out upon the veranda.
Leona went indoors, The colont
closed his quaint, blue umbrella with
click of satisfaction and passed Harr
with polite bow and a good morning
Two hours later Miss Lis,e blushed a
Harry asked her a question. She softl
said: :,
The potency of the colonel's umbrell
is not fiction. He isa charming man
and-I thank you for your offer-but
said 'yes'-under the blue umbrella.