The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-08-19

ears. I changed my mind. I would
| wait till he was calmer. turned away;
but at that instant Dawson caught
sight Of me. A second later he was
pouring the story Of his wrongs into
my ear.
Here came my fatal weakness. 1 let
him go on. He took me by the arm
and walked me Off l could not escape
him; and all the way he Numbered
against the thief
If it costs me twenty pounds. I'll
bring him to justicer' he declared.
Really, l dared not break it to him
just yet.
Suddenly, from round sharp corner,
there came upon us-alinost running
into us-Lydia Lovelock herself, with
Dawson's umbrella in her hand. He
had been narrowly scanning every UNI
brella we passed. He scanned this one,
and cried, darling forward:
my umbrella!"
With little scream Lydia turned
and fed Dawson was after her like
an arrow. pursued Dawson. Why, oh,
why. sue run away! surely she
must have recognized me.
1t was very quiet street we were
running up. and our strange procession
attracted little notice. The chase was
soon over. I caught Dawson just as he
caught Lydia. For moment we all
stood painting. Then Dawson gasped:
My umbrella. Thief"
I y-6io oil VOW n
came to her rescue. Avoiding Daw-
sons eye, hastily told my shameful
tale. Lydia's face frightened, but still
there was apprehension in her looks.
''This lady, believe me-" l said, sis
entirely blameless. OF course she
thought the umbrella was my own.
My sole consolation, Dawson, is to
think that had you been in my place
you would have done the same"
Il don't see" remarked Dawson,
rudely, why it consoles you to think
me a thief
preserved digniied silence.
However" he continued, IF this
young lady has quite finished with my
property, perhaps she will be good
enough to give it me back"
Lydia did not take the hint She
chung to the umbrella
Tiff you would be so kind" she
stauamered. las to lend it to me for to-
day-the weather is still threatening
l would return it tomorrow
Your request, madam, is modest
one" answered Dawson, sarcastically;
but, as you observe, the weather is
threatening and l want my umbrella
Kindly give it me-"
Really, Dawson, to oblige a lady"
began.
why don't you buy her an um.
brella?' sneered Dawson.
If she would accept it, I should
be-" l stopped. To my surprise,
Lydia laid her hand on my arm and
said; ''Oh, 90. please. And may keep
this till we get to the shop?"
l did not understand her; but we
turned round and began to walk, look
ing for shop. She was very strange
girl She Jagged behind; / had To wait
twice for her. Once she took a turning
as though to leave US, and when /
called her back she pouted
Suddenly Dawson looked up
ut rains, he So
1t 3il-
Put UP tia umbrella" said Dawson.
Let the lady have IT," said I, indig- /
nantly.
Wen share it," grinned Dawson.
'Iou can get wet"
But Lydia did not put II up.
The rains not much. she faltercd. /
Il was now pouring. With usntt-red .
path, Dawson snatchcd the umbrella
from her. Lydia shrieked and RAJ Away
like frightened rabbit-ran az the top
d her speed up the street again
stop. stop cried step, my dear
Miss LoveloclS'
Holy powers exclaimed Dawson !.
He had opened the umbrella; as ne
Id so there was thud OF the pave
three thuds- IN amaze
oolze3 down There lay a silver cigar
'tte-es-Se, tEyo purses and 4 gold watch
Dawson burst i1to r1aniacai laughter