The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-01-06

NO. 1 snould KNOCK him down, prob
ably" he replied, especially II it were the
captain or that railway goods inspector fell
low.n
"Dont you like themi' asked innocently.
"Do your he rejoined.
"They are old friends, almost"
You don't make your dodgers your
friendsr he remarked
mot always"
II should think not he said, very scorn-
fully now.
"But these two gentlemen knew me when
was little girl"
"Ah, that makes difference, suppose;
that's why they are both so fond Of you," he
added, with sigh
"Fond Of mef'
"You might marry either of them to-mor-
row, II you cared to hold up your little
finger; can Gee that
"What nonsenselr
"Oh, it's true enough" he cried
/ laughed.
Then shant hold up my little fingers
That's right" he said; and he actually
drew long, deep breath, as though IL relieved
him to hear me say no; "for that captains
pompous old noodle-a SELFISH party, who's
stuck to my telescope whole week-and the
railway man would fidget any woman out Of
her life in fortnight"
whats the matter with himf
Hes an old woman, that's ALL"
Upon my honor, you are very uncompli-
mentary In your verdict upon my dodgers"
81 hate your keeping a lodging house" he
muttered.
my poverty and not my will consents,nI
answered
He was very silent for a long time new.
The visitors had hurried homeward, or had
Oupht ahaltar 1ika M, rcalx,oc tha banJ hal
ceased playing, the rain was coming down In
earnest.
May ask a favor Of you before I 60 back
to Londonr he said Suddenly and very
hoarsely.
"What is itf'
"Will you say 'yesr
"Not till l know what it is about re-
piled, with spirit, certainly not"
swell, then,n he cried, "don't give me
back that little bird carved. You said you
would, and it has been preying on my mind
that it will come flying back some day when
least expect it and so upset me terribly !
want it hanging on your wall, to remind you
of me sometimes, you know; being a bird
like me, you see, it must And though our
acquaintance did not commence auspiciously,
still you have forgotten and forgiven,
haven't your
"Well-yes-almostn
"And you'll keep that little carvingg'
Perhaps will"
"Bless you, Jane-Miss Neild, mean.
And now"--
was getting alarmed at his vehemence,
and very much afraid Of what he would say
next. l jumped up
~ think will go home to Lily She's all
alone, poor girl"
"But it's raining cats and dogs"
~ h.,
cats and dogs" I said, tripping from the
shelter and struggling to open the umbrella
which Lily had lent to me-
"You have caught cold in the rain before
now" he said, dryly; ''do stop few minutes
longer"
NO" said, shaking my head, II would
rather not"
Here, let me manage that thing for you,
them he said, making dash at the umbrella,
opening it and holding it above my head ''if
you must run away; but you'll get very wet."
1--WE got my waterproof"
eyes, but-oh, Lordf'
"What is the matterr / exclaimed, as he
turned very red and white, just as had seen
him on the fort, only now he looked at me as
If were a ghost and my spectral appearance
had frightened him.
He did not reply at once, and cried:
Won't you tell meF'
"Its all right; that is, shall be all right
in minute, he answered, in quite new and
hard tone Of voice; "don't mind men
"What can 1t beg'
81 tell you it's nothing, Miss Neild," he
said Don't take any notice of me, please. l
had rather you didn't"
1t was strange request, but did not. I
maintained rigid silence, being little net
tied presently at his own silent movements at
my side, his steady stare ahead of him, the
stern expression on his face He marched
along in so grave and dumb fashion at last
that could have slapped his face for him
What did he mean by such behavior won
deredi At the end of the jetty he brought
my heart into my mouth by suddenly roaring
out:
"No, I'll never believe It'll It's magic, it's
lying dream, it's anything but thisl l can't
believe it of you; I'd rather jump into the
sea than think of it for another moment.n
"rhink whati Good graciousl why don't
you tell mef'
"Think that you have deceived me all the
time You, too, of all the lot of theml'
"What have done, Mr.. Birdf
"This-this umbrella" he cried.
'wellr
''It-its the umbrella dropped down your
area! My fathers present; can swear to 1t
anywhere. They're my initials on that silver
collar, 'G. b. Oil heaven and earth, to
fancy for one instant that you-Miss Neild,
am going raving mad. Look at it, look
at it!n
stared from him to the umbrella, which
he had thrust into my hands, and felt going
mad myself. looked SO terribly mean and
guilty, and yet was so perfectly innocent,
and l did not want him now to have one
thought against me. l was confused; did
not know how te explain; l felt too indig-
nant in the midst of my grief even to try to
explain; for he should not have jumped to
conclusions in this way, bat have waited,
and then burst into tears.
"Oh, pray don't cry,n he called out, "for
mercys sake, don't, Jane; don't care about
the umbrella now, / don't mind your TAX
:ng"-
"It's-it's not minel" screamed out at last.
SIT was lent me by Lily Brian, because shs
thought it-it-it would rain before l got
home. There"
"Thank Godi What an awful thief she Is
for one so young" he cried. ~ am so tre-
mendously glad, though, SO awfully glad"-
"Take your umbrella" cried, pitching 1t
81 don't mean I'm glad I've found it, but
that youn-
SHOW dare you suspect me Icried, sweep-
ing ma ajesticaily away from him, but he fol-
lowed me and held the umbrella over my
head again, and overwhelmed me with hur-
ried and ineoherent apologies, which i de-
clined to accept
Perhaps it's not mine" he said at last
"Pray be rational, Miss Neild. 81 stands for
Brian as we'll as Bird. Is Mr.. Brians Chris
tian name George, do you thinkP
Don't speak to me- You know it's your
umbrella"
ut II q little like it," he said, dismally.
II don't want any miserable evasions Mr..
Bird, and never want TO see or speak to you
again, and p
why, Jenny what's the matterr' cried
Lily Brian, suddenly appearing round the
corner of the street, and under another UNI
brella, and with shawl over her arm.
where have you beeni Ma was afraid you
wanted more wraps, and has sent me out
with them, and--how dye do, Mr.. Birdi
Who'd have thought Of seeing you this wet
dayf
"Ive offended Miss Neild," be said, not
smiling In the least at her arch manner Of
address to him.
"Youl Oh, what aboutr she cried.
THAT nasty, hateful umbrella" l said
Where did you get it, Lilyi OIL where did
you get itf'
'iWhat's the matter with the umbrellag,