The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1893-08-24

=Dawson's umbrella ii her ha,1l. He
had been narrowly scanning every am-
brella we passed. He scanned this ono.
and cried, darling forward:
My umbrella, IN.
With 2 little scream Lydia turned
and fed. Dawson was after her like
an arrow. pursued Dawson. Why, oh,
why, did she run away? Surely she
must have recognized me. 5::. .s
II was very quiet street We were
running mp, 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! Thiefr'
Lydia seemed very agitated. OF course
l 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- said, lis
entirely blameless.5 OF course she
thought the umbrella was nv 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 q thief
I preserved q dignifed silence. esq.,
"However," he continued, IF this
young lady has quite finished with my
property, perhaps she will be good
enough to give it me back"
d lydia did MT toll ho l,{~,k Cl,,
chung to the umbrella. g..
Tiff you would be SO kind" she
stammered, ''as to lend it to me for to.
day-the weather is still threatening
would return it tomorrow"
"Your request, madam, is modest
one,' answered Dawson, sarcastically;
but, as You observe, the weather is
threatening and want my umbrella.
Kindly give it me-
Really, Dawson, to oblige lady,
l began.
''Why don't you buy her an um.
brella?" sneered Dawson.
IF she would accept it, l should
be" stopped. TO my surprise.
Lydia laid her hand on my arm and
said: ''Oh. do. 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 u shop. She was a very strange
girl. She Jagged behind; had to wait
twice for her. Once she took q turning
as though to leave us, and when I
called her back she pouted.
Suddenly Dawson looked up.
st rains," he said.
1t did.
''Put up the umbrella, said Dawson,
roughly:
LET the lady have it," said 1, indig-
nantly.
"We'll share it," grinned Dawson.
''You can get wet"
But Lydia did not put it up.
1.-The rains not much," she faltered.
1t was now pouring. With muttered
oath. Dawson snatched the umbrella
from her. Lydia shriel<ed and ran away
like frightened rabbit-ran at the ton
of her speed up the street again.
"Stop. stop!' cried. "Stop, my dear
Miss Lovelock.''
''Holy powers!" exclaimed Dawson.
Az AASsN OHSAOu VAkC OICllds ~ he
did so there was thud on the pave
ment-two, three thuds. In auMze 1
looked down. There lay silver cigar
ette-case, two purses and a gold watch.
Dawson burst into maniacal laughter
as he pointed at Lydia's refreshing fig
ure. That girl could run.
For a moment stood durnfounded.
What revelation! Dawson chuckled
in Satanic glee. Sadly stopped down
and picked up the purses, The cigar
ette-case and the watch.
''Great -!' cried; and my hand
flew to my waistcoat-pocket.
1t was my watch.
/ did not prosecute Lydia, because
could not have overtaken her, and for
other reasons. 1t was altogether too
sad, too disheartening, too Ai.appoint-
ing discovery. Dawson, however,
observed that it seemed to aim an ex-
cellent example of poetic justice in real
Efe.-St- James Gazette.