The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-10-02
THREE UMBRELLAS

walk home with you. didn't expect rain
when l left home, SO I am unprepared."
However," came her clear reply, lust
arch enough to be fascinating and Just
tender enough to DO 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 woman passed them, like
them, under one umbrella; but, unlike
them, the woman WAS held snugly close to
the mans side us she chung to his arm. 1t
was picture of that open freedom which
SO undcniably marks n congenial man and
wife, whose companionshiD has riDcned
into frank trust.
AS they passed Robert Courtright said
half thoughtfully perhaps:
They are sensible IL two are trying to
use one umbrella, they are surely to be
commended ii they strive to take up ns
little room as possible Even if it be noon.
won't you take my arms'
But they are plainly not such-such
STRANGERS as wc," she returned, conscious
that both were treading OH dangerous
ground.
Are we s;rangers?" he asked quickly,
turning his eyes searchingly to her
The pretty tace grew a triflc pale against
It's 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"
lie stopped for an instant and gaZed fix
edly mt her till II hot flush flew up from out
her dark fur collar and swept under the
velvet strings Of her dainty brown bonnet,
Always" lie asked simply.
Yes. Why, can't you see that they are
marrieds'
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 Oh the noon boulevard
Eight years went by and found Gabriel
Vaughne alone in the world, with neccs-
sity for keeping up Il life in which all in
tercst and all energy were dead She had
at last arisen from Il tedious illness aud
the nurse herself scarcely recognized the
TALL pale, sad faced woman, with the short.
dark curls, rs the bright eyed. light haired
girl of six months before. Gabriel had one
thing dear to her, and only one, and that
was II memory. And some OF our dearest
memories are the cruelcst part of our lives
When finally she stood before a mirror
and realized that that changed creature
was herself, mighty resolve filed 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 wnS~t the reason that
she had thrust him back from her long ago
just because of his poverty. Not that it
would pain her; n thousand times no.
Hadn't she cried out night after night
since that starvation with him would be
only bliss? But she had known his umbi-
lions and his capabilities, knew his dreams
OF success, and She realized his ability to
turn the dreams to realities. She was
poor. Would she permit herself to hang
II milestone about his necks Would she
hold him always in the depths of poverty
by being his wife and the mother of his
needy children? No, she would hurt his
heart before she would ruin his life
Time had proved that she had been
right. His wife was a beautiful woman.
and her wealth had opened boundless OBJ
portunities to him. He had risen-she
had known that he would. But now that
she scarcely was able to know herself she
would ventureSinto his world and see for
herself how happy and proud and prosper
GUS he was.
So having spenb all but her last bill for
her ticket, she stepped into Philadelphia
one spring evening, steeling her heart to
had walked past his great rich house and
was starting back when Il sudden shower
burst unexpectedly upon her.
She gathered up her skirts in that par
ticular way SO characteristic of u dainty
woman, and was hurrying along when all
at once she was conscious Of sharp, bhild-
ish cry at her side. Turning, she beheld
q tall, sad faced man trying to quiet Il
fretful baby of about three years which
hn11 tta i.
cried:
Mamma! Mamma"
The gentleman strove to stop it., and Ga
bricl started on. But sharp and piercing
came the ''Mammar' and her heart bade
her linger.
For the first time the man spoke to her.
u must beg your pardon, madam His
mother has just died, and something abott
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 mt
him--the face was Robere'sl She was glad
for the excuse Of turning to baby again
and murmuring something unintelligible.
However, he had not recognized her so
she drew all her strength to her assistance
and succeeded in hiding her emotion
"lfSou 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"
There was no easy way to retreat; it
would have been absurd to scud off in a
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 II can