The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-12-09
UNDER HER UMBRELLA.

his umbrella ferrue with a thump,
This time he made the table and the
glasses upon it shake as if an earth
quake were in progress, and his nephew,
Tom BOnnycastle, felt that things were
growing serious, but he intended to tell
the truth, whatever happened.
at was the rain, sill" he said.
'EhP" echoed Johu.
81 had an umbrella, she had nOne,"
he said. 1--WE came up on the same
train. held the umbrella over her;
she'd been soaked if had not. 1t was
quite little step to where she lived and
we talked all the way, and of course the
next time | met her she bowed"
That proves she is not a lady," said
Uncle John.
"Oh, Adelia is lady at every pOint,"
said Tom, Though she does work for
her living, and we are engaged, and |
know youll like her when you meet her,
sir.'
you are engaged to working girl
whom you picked up in the street. it
seems" said the old gentleman. well,
this is pretty news.
"Now, my boy, know what nonsense
this all is. | used TO fall in love with
every pretty face | saw myself when |
was ~. anu ltl6 dI " am d VdCHOl'l
and rejoice in he fact.
Il don't object to marriage, of course ;
but 1t must be suitable person. Drop
this affair or you'll drop out of my will
I've a cool hali-milliun and it'll he all
yours some day when l def you
please me. If you please me, not other
wise"
He started to his feet, thumped his
umbrella twice, and stalked out of the
parlor OF the little boarding house,
where he had come to call upon Tom.
He had intended to take Tom home to
sup with him at the hotel, and perhaps
to go back to Europe again by the next
steamer.
New he would leave his money to q
French hospital or German orphan asy-
lum.
Therefore he signaled a car and
stepped into it, and falling into n Teve-
RE, did not notice that he was going up
instead of down town until "A cry of ''All
out" startled him, and he jumped to
his feet and found himself standing on
the sidewalk of some half built suburbs
to which, it seemed to him, he had been
transported by magic
Took the car up instead of down"
said an old swltchman with wooden
leg, to whom he explained his perplexi-
ty. THAT there hotel is miles away.
Ard that there car is tue last down to-
night on this line, You'll have to walk
seven blocks over and three across to
your left TO get the other cars that run
all night"
''And it is raining" said Mr.. Marley,
as some great drops battered on his
head And left my umbrella in the
car-left my umbrella in the car"
HE cast despairiTg glance about
him, and his eyes met those of very
pretty girl, who smiled and stepped to-
wards him.
81 am going the way you have to go,
sir" she said, land my umbrella is u
large one, if you will let me hold it over
you"
''She approached as she spoke, and
with little laugh lifted the large white
seaside umbrella over his hat.
TT is dangerous to get wet" she said;
"beside, a person doesn't want to spoil a
nice new white hat and light suit. Then
you'd he very apt to lose your way, |
know"
what thoughtful girl You are, my
dear" said Mr.. Varley; but you
mustn't carry the umbrella cannot
allow that. Let me hold it, and pray
take my ann. I'm old enough to be
your grandfather, child
''Not at ali, I'm sure" she answered.
Bat she took his arm and chattCd
so menily as they trOtted on together
that John Marley was perfectly delight
ed with her.
"i'll go to the depot with you, sir"
the girl said, ''only must stop aud tell
mother first for she will wonder to see
me pass the house like this"
Accordingly Mr.. Marley stepped upon
the tiny porch and the door was opened
by a lady in black, who wore widows
cap and received the girls explanation
very amiably.
Your daughter is too kind, ml'am,"
said Mr.. Varley.
Il always tell my daughter to do Il
kind thing whenever she has an Oppor-
tunity," said the widow. "But, dear
me- am sure we are not strangers.
certainly know your voice and your
face
And yours, ma'am." said Mr., Var
ley, land yours. Well, well, as sure
as am John VarIcy you are Mrs. Grey,
my old friend Hiram Grey's wife-his
widow, I'm afraid
YES, Mr.. Varley," sighed the lady.
"lIe failed in business, uied of broken
heart, and my daughter and | are alone
in the world. But come in, pray. am
so glad 10 see you again
The little tea table was already set and
Mr.. Varlcy accepted the invitation to
tea.
AS they talked over old times he
watched the girl and thought her the
incest he ever met, and made up his
mind that since Tom would disobey him
he would make his old friends daughter
his heiress.
Fine idea, fine idea" he said to him
self; "the very finest girl | ever saw
And just then-"There is somebody"
says the old lady, and the door opened
and in walked-as only one privileged
enters-ro Tom, and nobody else.
Uncle, of all peOple!" he cried.
'Mr. Varley your unclel" the widow
cried, ian old friend of my poor. dear
husband! And only that it raimed, and
Adelia, having an umbrella and he hav-
ing none, she naturally offered him the
protection of hers, l never might have
had the pleasure OF seeing him again"
IAN umbrella again. cried Tom, but
Mr.. Varley was equal to the occasion.
$50 this is your Adelia," he cried.
81 am delighted to know it, and, my
d0ar boy, if ever we put Il coat of arms
upon our carriage panels the design
shall certainly be two umbrellas open,
ell, my boy, eh?'-PittSburg Press.