The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1893-10-20

pOrtlco. The manager and four wait
ers stood round him in disconsolate at
titudcs. One or two of his remarks
he was talking very loud-reached my
ears. / changed my mind. / would
wait till he was calmer. / turned away.
bat 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. ! let
him 20 on. He took me 10y the arm
and walked me off / could not escape
him; and all the way he Numbered
against the thief
If it costs me twenty pounds, III
bring him 10 Justice he declared.
Really ! dared not break it 10 him
just yet.
Suddenly, from round sharp corner,
there came upon us-almost running
into us-Lydia Lovelock herself. with
Dawson's umbrella in her hand. lie
had been narrowly scanning every um-
brclla we passed He scanned this one,
and cried. darting forward:
My umbrella"
With "A 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.
1t was a very quiet street we were
running up. and our strange procession
attracted little notice. The chase was
soon over. ] caught Dawson just as he
caught Lydia. For moment we all
stood painting. Then Dawson gasped:
MY umbrella. Thief -
Lydia seemed very agitated. OF course
came 70 her rescue. Avoiding Daw-
sons eye, | hastily told my shameful
tale. Lydias face frightened, but still
there was apprehension in her looks.
This lady, believe me-" / said, lis
entirely blamelcss. OF course she
thought the umbrella was my own.
My sole consolation, Dawson, is 10
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"
l preserved a dignified silence.
However" he continued, IF this
young lady has quite finished with my
property, perhaps she viii be good
enough to give il me back"
Lydia did not take the hint She
clung 70 the umbrella
stammered. las TO lend it 10 me for to-
day-the weather is still threatening
| would return il tomorrow"
Your request. madam, is a modest
one" answered Dawson, sarcastically;
but, a. you observe, the weather il
threatening and | want my umbrella.
Kindly give il me"
Really, Dawson, TO oblige lady"
! began.
"Why don't you buy her an um-
brcIla?" sneered Dawson.
If she would accept it. / 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 shcp?"
did not understand her: but we
turned round and began 70 walk, look
ing for shop. She was very strange
girl. She Jagged behind; had 10 wait
twice for her Once she took turning
a. though TO leave Us, and when 1
called her back she pouted.
suddenly Dawson looked mp.
1t rains, he said.
1t did
Put up the umbrella, 50 said Dawson,
roughly.
Let the lady have it" said I. indig-
nantly.
Wen share it, grinned Dawson.
You can get wet.
But Lydia did not put II up.
The rains not much, she faltered.
II was now pouring. With muttrred
oath, Dawson snatched the umbrella
from her. Lydia shrielled and ran away
like a frightened rabbit-ran at the top
of her speed mp the street again.
stop. stop / cried. stop, my dear
Miss Lovelock."
Holy powers exclaimed Dawson.
He had opened the umbrella; as he
did so there was thud on the pave
ment-two. three thuds. In amaze 1
looked down. There lay a silver cigar
ette-case, two purses and a gold watch.
Dawson burst into maniacal laughter
as he pointed at Lydia's retreating fig
ure. That girl could run
For a moment / stood dumfounded.
What a revelation! Dawson chuclIled
in Satanic glee. Sadly ! stopped down
and picked up the purses, the cigar
ette-case and the watch.
Great -,'' / cried; and my hand
few 10 my waistcoat-pockct.
II was my watch.
] did not prosecute Lydia. because
could not have overtaken her. and for
other reasons. It was altogether too
sad, too disheartening, too disappoint-
ing a discovery. Dawson, however,
observed that il seemed TO him an cN-
cellent example Of poetic justice in real
life.-St James Gazette.