The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-11-01
AN UMBRELLAS STORY.
ny HARRIET LAWSON.

Clothed in rags too dilapidated to be
called picturesque or even artistic, with
broken ribs and warped back bone, It is
no wonder that lost my head and all
through the abomiuabc taste of Arethusa
and Adophus, who chose "the Kings
highway and "a tricycle. on which to
murmur sweet nothingS instead of the
vine.covered porch or summer house Of
good old.fashioncd times. Adophus
was leaning so much TO our side that he
appeared to be "all out OF drawing"
while Arethusa's ear was of the brightest
rose. pink and her left dimplc IN full
play moreover, she was perfectly uncon.
sclOus that the sunbeams had undisputed
possession of her fair face, and were sure
TO abuse their advantage by shower of
freckles upon her Grccian nose.
In vain the wind tuggcd at me and
tugged at Adolphus. He would not be
warned, and the result was mingling Of
& r!ish shrieks and strong masculine
language, aud a general upset condition.
As for me, was so completely crushed
that had it not been for the habit of a
lifetime | should never have had the
energy to observe and comment sotto
vocc) as usual What fools these mortals
be-
Adolphus sprang promptly to his feet.
very red, very much mortified, very
anxious to find somebody or something
to blame hes des his own carcessness.
And there, pceping out through the
big wheels, competcy y Gagged, sat Are.
thusi, looking as sweet aud quiet NOW
that she had found terra irma) as
sucking dove
'The wrctchcd machine, my poor
darling that horid umbrella. Are you
sure YOU are not hurtl A screw loose
A hole in the horrid road. shall never
forgive myself ii you are hurtw ex-
claimed Adolphus all in a breath.
But ! am not in the least in iured," :"
lisped the Gagged pigeon sweetly, land if
had been, 1t never could have been
your fault; it was just some weak spot
in the machine, lust an unavoidable ac.
cidcnt that no one could help"
"llow sweet it Is Cf you to say so, :"
cried Adolphus, going to work at NOV
Ing the turned-o r.cycle; 'but ! shall
not hGvc a seconds peace till see YOU
on your feet aga,n; then, if YOU really
are unhar ed | cannot be altogether
sorry for the accident, for it has shown
the exquisite amiability of your d 5.
position in all its perfection. don't
believe there is girl in II thousand. no,
nor in the world, that would have
borne such trial without losing her
temper"
This style of conversation proved so
agreeable TO both parties concerned that
il would doubtless have been indefinitely
prolonged, but Adolphus finally moved
the wheels and disclosed to the view of
the amiable prisoner the crushed remains
OF her new hcliotrope hat. Then. indeed,
came IA change o'cr her mobile face, the
features sharpcned, stony glare filed
her liquid eyes, there was perceptiblo
stilIcnlng OF the whole frame, and the
straightest sti.iest, talIcst mp rising that
] ever behed in my life When she had
finally reached her highest possibility,
she inquired in voice not loud, but as
clear and cod as cut glass: "Will you
be kind enough to tell me, Mr.. Radcliffe,
what that object isi'
IL am sure | don't know" said he
with one puzzled look at her changed
aspect, aud another at ..thc object indi.
Gated, going II step nearer as the truth
flashed upon him, but unfortunately on
the ludicrous side.
why, Arie," he shouted between
peals OF laughter, ''it's-it's your new
hat" And crushed, battered and ut
terly demolished, he presented it fol
nearer inspection, which p.oved quite
too much for Aries cool dignity
"Iou meant, uniceling creature" she
burst out, ito spoil my hat, and you
had no business TO tip that tricycle. over
Do you suppose | would have riskeo
that hat if had known you were ex
permentingt oh, yes! it may lie
laughing matter to you, very amusing
doubtless. but are you aware that that
hat came from Paris; not only that, bu,
it was made to order TO match my suit
and not till this very morning dId l re
ceive it.n
Long before she had finished, Adol
phus was feeling remarkably limp.
But Arie-but, my dear, " he eXpostu
lated, ''you know it was all an accident
don't you think you are little unrea
sonable, What is it all aboutp
'I thought | had expla ned with suf
fcient clearness what it was all about,
with return of dignity. But glanc
at the wrecked splcndor freed her tongu
again.
al dare say it would give you pleasure
yes, actual pleasure, to see me make
guy Of myself by wearing a hat tina
didn't match this suit! but won't, sir
No. I'll burn the suit first "
"Arethusa, don't be a goose, and a
about hat, too" and Adolphus not
looked distressed enough to suit I'll
most exacting fair lady. But not Ar,
thusa, for there were teats in her eye
and my observation has taught me thl
those tears must fall before the tempe
subs des
'llow dare yo' Ill me names; te
you it was mem, contemplate, Gov
Ardly--"