The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-10-10
THREE UMBRELLAS

when left home, so | am unprepared"
However" came her clear reply, just
arch enough to be fascinating and Just
tender enough to be frank, "if you'll carry
my umbrella and let me turn my energies
to keeping my dress caught up out of the
mud I'll be very thankful to you"
They had walked. strangely enough, half
way home in almost complete silence, when
man and a woman passed them, like
them, under one umbrella; but, unlike
them, the woman was held snugly close to
the mans side as she clung to his arm. 1t
was picture of that open freedom which
so undeniably marks congenial man and
wife, whose companionship has ripened
into frank trust.
As they passed Robert Courtright said,
half thoughtfully perhaps:
'"They are sensible. If two are trying to
use one umbrella, they are surely to be
commended If they strive to take up as
little room as possible. Even if it be noon,
won't you take my arm'"
but they are plainly not such-such
strangers as we," she returned, conscious
that both were treading on dangerous
ground.
"Are we strangers'" he asked quickly,
turning his eyes searchingly to her.
The pretty face grew trihe pale against
its light brown hair. A lump seemed to
climb to her throat, but she returned
bravely, "Yes-that is, We'll always be
strangers compared with them"
He stopped for an instant and gazed fix
eily at her till hot flush flew up from out
her dark fur collar and swept under the
velvet strings of her dainty brown bonnet,
"Alwaystr he asked simply.
"1es. Why, can't you see that they are
married2"
She tried to laugh it away, but It would
have been difficult to tell which pair of
lips quivered the more or which pair of
eyes swan in the deepest mist as the two
started on, both silent, both sad, both real
izing that little tragedy had occurred in
that brief instant under that dripping UNI
brella on the noon boulevard.
Eight years went by and found Gabriel
Vaughne alone in the world, with neces-
sity for keeping up life in which all in
terest and all energy We're dead. She had
at last arisen from a tedious illness, and
the nurse herself scarcely recognized the
tall, pale, sad faced woman, with the short,
dark curls, as the bright eyed, light haired
girl of six months before. Gabriel had one
thing dear to her, and only one, and that
was memory. And some of our dearest
memories are the cruelest part of our lives.
When finally she stood before a mirror
and realized that that changed creature
was herself, a mighty resolve filled her
she would go to the source of that memory,
She knew where he was; she knew that
he had married three years after that bit
ter morning in the rain, and had married
wealthy wife. That was the reason that
she had thrust him back from her long ago,
Just because of his poverty. Not that it
would pain her; a thousand times NO,
Inl, s,1,, ii
since that starvation with him would be
only bliss1 But she had known his alnbi-
tions and his capabilities, knew his dreams
of success, and she realized his ability 10
turn the dreams to realities. She was
poor Would sine permit herself to hang
milestone about his neck2 Would she
hold him always in tho depths OF poverty
by being his wife and the mother of his
needy ciiildrenP No. she would hurt his
heart before she would ruin his life.
Time had proved that she had been
right. His wife was beautiful woman,
and her wealth had opened boundless op.
portunities to him. He had risen-she
had known that he would But now that
she scarcely was able to know herself, she
would venture into his world and see for
herself how happy and proud and prosper
Gus he WAS
1ou AhNllB spent all 1nE Htf last blll Tor
her ticket, she stepped into PHILADELPHIA
one spring evening, steeling her heart to
what might follow. The next evening she
had walked past his great, rich house and
was starting buck when sudden shower
burst unexpectedly upon her.
She gathered up her skirts in that par
ticular way so characteristic of dainty
woman, and was hurrying along when all
at once she was conscious of "a sharp bhild-
ish cry ut her side. Turning, she beheld
a tall, sad faced man trying to quiet
fretful baby of about three years, which
held out its dimped hands to her and
cried:
mammal Mamma!n
The gentleman strove to stop 1t, and Ga
briel started on. But sharp and piercing
came the "Mammap and her heart bade
her linger.
For the first time the man spoke to her.
81 must beg your pardon, madam His
mother has just died. and something about
you seems to have recalled her to him.
Gabriel's heart softened at once Going
straight up she took the tiny outstretched
hands in her own and murmured, Poor
motherless little one.
The father held out his umbrella over
her, and for the first time she looked at
him--the face was Robert'si She was glad
for the excuse of turning to baby again
and murmurfng something unintelligible.
However, he bud not recognized her, SO
she drew all her strength to her assistance
and succeeded In hiding her emotion.
IF you will walk under my umbrella, as
lam going your way for this square, you
can keep dry. And, too, fear baby won't
like to part with you now.n
There was no easy way to retreat. IL
would hnVa hppn n nhEJlPd to a,,fF f,o
changed direction through the pelting
rain, SO she continued talking hurriedly
to the child. As they reached the foot Of
the broad stone steps she stopped. ~ cam
not thank you enough for having calmed
Leslie.
Ills nurse left this morning, and he
will not be eonsoled by any of the other
servants. So finally told Mrs. Clarke,
the housekeeper, that would try him for
walk. But will you not take the um.
brellaf 1t will be q shame to expose your.
self to such delugo."
She gracefully declined all thanks and
such kind offers, and glided quickly off, q
tall, black robed figure daring the watery
drops. But perfect shrek from baby
arose when he found himself deserted in
in this fashion, and each succeeding cry
became louder and more distressing
Again Gabriel could not so. Again she
came back to him.
will you please come into the house
with himi Mrs. Clarke may there be bet.
ter able to get him away than ~
So Gabriel, carrying the child, entered
his house unknown, but welcome even
then, :,
Leslie was not to be easily deceived, and
all the ruses were seen through immedi.
ately by his careful, big blue eyes.
We must get a nurse this very night,n
declared Mrs Clarke as she endeayofed in
her practical, cold hearted way to inyeigls
the young lord from his new "mamman
"But,n groaned Mr. Gorr;right. where
can one get ona winch ilc can Il ust ON such
short neticein
-