The herald., 1893-09-21
THAT UMBRELLA.

ing down on the glass pOrIlcO. "A SUD-
den storm had swept up out of clear
sky. Every one was caught unawares.
The stray cabs were seized in moment,
the omnibuses crowded before you could
look around. There was actually only
one umbrella in the stand by the door of
the Cafe de Luxe. stood, in new hat
and light gray frock coat, and eyed
the umbrella speculatively. knew the
owner. He had just gone to lunch. He
was large and long luncher. | was in
a hurry. Perhaps the storm would pass;
/ could send it back by commission
naire. / was very apt to take cold, and
my appointment was really very impor-
tant.
Thus prompted of satan, put forth
my hand toward the umbrella. At the
moment I perceived, like a stage vii
lain, that / was observed. In fact, Twas
not alone. A young lady of most at
tractive appearance stood few feet
from me, also under the portico, gazing
wistfully out into the wet. She wore a
summer costume She looked at her
watch, then again at the storm, and
murmured disconsolately, .sOh, shall
be late" An instinct of generosity over
came me. Without another thought for
my sensitive chest or my light gray suit,
with firm proprietary air, laid hold
of Dawson's umbrella.
"Allow me-" said 1, "as cabs seem un-
attainable, to offer you an umbrella"
A glad light leaped into her eyes. 'Oh,
I couldn't" she said. "What would you
dor"
81 don't mind a wctting," answered
heroically. pray take it. You can
send it back here at your leisure" (Daw-
son could not have much more than fin
ished his soup).
II couldn't think of it." she repeated.
"You will get soaked through"
A sudden thought struck me. After
all, had no business to lose sight Of
Dawson's umbrella.
Perhaps" Ivcntured to suggest, "our
roads lie the same way. It's large UNI
brella" And l opened it, It was not a
very large umbrella, but how could ]
know that?
81 go this way" said she, with mo-
ton of her head westward.
my way" 1 cried. "Cone, this is
providential.
We started.
IF you wouldn't mind taking my
arm" said 1, ''we should be better shell
tered"
''Oh, perhaps we should. Thank your
And sho nestled quito close to me. We
walked along, talking. Ny left shoulder
got all the drippings, butsomehow was
indifferent to that.
'''Are you sure you arc thoroughly
shelteredf' asked.
Perfectly" she answered. ''But
you're not, I'm afraid. You're too kind
Mamma will be SO grateful"
liked this simple friendliness.
81 thought thero was no chance of
rain today. You arc moro careful, Mr.
Dawson"
Icould not repress g littlo start.
ou know my na:ae:"
She laughed merrily.
"It'5 on tho umbrclla-half an inch
long," che said. II couldn't help read
ing it,
There it was-''J Joshua Dawson, 4 Cal
-ceolaria Villas, West Kensington, W."
Somehow tho address annoyed mel
myself live in ST. James street.
"a strange way to mako acquaintance,
isn't it?" she asked, with coquettish
glance.
Delightful. But you haven't allowed
me to make acquaintance with you yet.
Haven't you your namo anywhere about
your"
my name is Lydia Lovelock," she
said. Don't you like it? It's prettier
than yours"
Certainly prcttier than Joshua Daw-
son, said /, wishing Dawson had chanced
to be a duke.
Joshua Dawson isn't pretty" she OBJ
served, with candid eyes; ''now, is it?'
"Then you wouldn't take my name in
stead of yoursT' I asked, to keep up the
conversation.
Your umbrellas enough to take for
one day." she said, with blush. AS she
spoke she slipped and all but fell on the
shining pavement She gave little cry,
"Oh, my ankler' and leaned heavily up
On me. held her up.
II believe I've wrenched it badly" she
added. "Oh, what a lot of trouble I'm
giving you Mr.. Dawson!"
She looked lovely Il give you my
word, positively lovely-in her pain and
distress. / don't think J. said SO, but
said something, for she blushed again as
slio answered:
That's very nice of you, but how am
TO get hone:"
Il must come with you," 1 said.
She shook her head.
II can manage now"
"Dut you'll never be able to get out"
"Oh. yes. pcrhaps-the rains
almost stopped-may keep the UNI
brel.a? There are some steps to mount
to our door, and"-
Now, coull 90 anyth;ng else than
press Dawsoas 6 umbrella upon her: She
took it, and with a last bcwitching smile
vanished from my eight. turned and
almost ran back TO the Cafe de Luxe, de-
termined to make clean breast of it to
Dawson. When was 80 yards Off, saw
him under the portico. The manager
and four walters stood round him i'll dis
consolato attitudes One or two Of his
emarks-he was talking very loud
cached my cars. / changed my mind.
swould wait TIL he was cali2er.
urred away. but ut that instant Dav-