Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1888-12-07
AN UMBRELLAS STORY,
by HARRIET LAWSON.

Clothed in rags too dilapidated to b,
called picturesque or even artistic, witt
broken ribs and warped back- bone. it i
no wonder that lost my head; and nj
through the abominable taste of Arcthus
and Adolphus, who chose "thc KING,
highway" and tricycle. on which tc
murmur sweet nothings instead of tho
vine.coyered porch or summer. house OF
good old-fashioncd times. Adolphuy
was leaning so much to our side that Inc
appeared to be call out of drawinp t,
while Arcthusa's car was of tho BRIGHTEST
rose'pink and her left dimple in full
play moreover, she was perfectly uncon.
scious that the suubeams had undisnutcd
possession OF her fair face, and were sure
10 abuse their advantage by shower of
frecklcs upon her Grccian nose.
In vain the wind tuggcd at me and |
rugged ut Adolphus. lie would not be
warned, and the result was Il mlnglinp of
girlish shrieks and strong masculine
language, and general upset condition.
AS Tor me, was SO completely crushed
that had it not been for the habit of n
lifetime l should never have had the
energy to observe and comment (sotto
vocc) us usual: "What fools these mortals
be-" ''-'
Adolphus sprang promptly to his feet.
very rcd, very much mortified. ycry
anxious to find somebody or somcthinG
to blame besides his own carelcssness
And there, pccping out through the
big wheels, completely Gagged. sat AIc.
thusa, looking us sweet and quiet NOV
that she had found terra firma) ns n
sucking dove"
s'Thn ,yrnfnbol ,nool:..t
darling that horrid umbrella! Are YOU
sure you are not hurt. A screw loose !
~ mole III the horrid road / shall never
forgive myself ii you are hurtp ex-
GAINED Adolphus all in n breath.
:. but am not in the least injured, y
i,isspcd the Gagged pigeon swcctly, land if
l had been, it never could have been
your Iault; it was just some weak spot
IN the machine, just an unavoidable nc.
ciuent that no one could help"
How sweet it is Ct you to say so, I"
cried Adoiphus, going to work at NOV
ing the turncd-oycr tricycle.; "but shall
not have a seconds peace till see Won
on your feet again; then, if you really
arc unharncd | cannot be altogether
sorry Tor the accident, for it has Shown
the exquisite amiability of your dis.
position Ill all its perfection. l don't
Deiicyc there is girl in thousand. no.
nor i'll the world, that would have
borne such q trial without losing her
tempcr.n
ms style of conversation proved so
agreeable to both parties concerned that
1t would doubtless have been indefinitely
prolonged, but Adolphus finally moved
the wheels and disclosed to the view of
inc amiablc prisoner tho crushed remains
oil her new hcliotropc hat Then, indeed,
came change DER her mobile face; the
features sharpcncd, stony glare filled
her liquid eyes, there was a nerceptihlc
stlllening OF the whole frame, and the
straightcst, sti!lest, taliest up rising that
ever behe:d in my life When she had
finally reached her highest possibility,
She inquired in n voice not loud, but rs
clear and cod us cut glass: "Nyill YOU
DC KIND enough to tell me, Mr.. Radcliffe.
what that object is2r
III am sure | don't know" said he
with one puzzled look Mt her changed
aspect, and another atssthc object indi.
Gated, going step nearer ~ 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 nj.
terly demolished, he presented it for
nearer inspection, which loved quite
too much for Aries cool dignity.
"You meant, unfecling creature ~ sbc
burst out, ''to spoil my hat, and YOU
nad no business to tip that tricycle. over.
10 you suppose l would have riskcd
that hat if | had known you were OK.
perlmentlngs Oh, yes! it may lie n
laughing matter to you, very amusing,
doubtless but are you aware that that
nat came from Paris; not only that, but
IL was made to order TO match my suit.
ceive it''
Long before she had finished, Adol-
plus was feeling remarkably limp.
but Aric-but, my dear, u he expostu-
lated, lyon know it was all an accident;
don't you think you arc a little unrea.
sonable? What is it all about?"
~ thought ] had explained with suf-
hclent clearness what it was all about, "
with return of dignity. But glance
Mt the wrecked splendor freed her tongue
again.
81 dare say it would give you pleasure
yes, actual pleasure, TO SEQ mo make n
guy of myself by wearing a hat that
didn't match this suit but 1 won't, sir
No! Pll burn the suit first
"Arethusa, don't be n goose, and all
about hat, tooW and Adolphus now
looked distressed enough to suit the
most cxacting fair lady. But not Are
thusa, for there were tears in her ewes.
and my observation has taught me that
those tears must fall before the temper
subsidies
How dare you call me names; I tell
you it was mean, contemplate, cow
"Arethusa," interrupted Adolphus,
very deer, and very strong, and he did MT
look at all limp now, "you are going too
Tar; shall have to ask you to take that
back"
isThat altogether decline to do. -
replied Arethusa; ''.it was cowardly to
ask me to ride when you did MT know
how to manage the machine"
Now, if Adolphus had observed femi-
nine nature of the round and ROSY kind
as closely as have, he would have held
his tongue, for he would have seen tho
two tears Just trembling on tho wink ~