Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-09-07
THAT UMBRELLA.

THAT UMBRELLA.
Patteri patti pat! The rain was pour |
ing down on the glass portico. 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. I stood, in new hat
AID light gray frock coat, and eyed
the umbrella speculatively. knew the
owner. He had just gone to lunch. He
was large and long luncher. l was in
hurry. Perhaps the storm would pass.
could send it back by commission
naire. I was very apt to take cold, and
my appointment was really very impor-
tant.
Thus prompted of satan, l put forth
my hand toward the umbrella. At the
moment perceived, like stage vii
lain, that was observed. In fact, 1 was
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, "Oh, I 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 I, ''as cabs seem un-
attainable, to offer you an umbrella"
A glad light leaped into her eyes. "Oh,
I Icouldn't," she said. "What would you
DOR
81 don't mind wetting," answered
heroically. "Pray take it. You can
send it back here at your leisure" aDaw-
son could not have much more than fin
ished his soup.
81 couldn't think of it," she repeated.
"You will get soaked through"
A sudden thought struck me. After
all, I had no business to lose sight of
Dawson's umbrella.
Perhaps" Iventured to suggest, sour
roads lie the same way. It's large UNI
brella." And opened it. It was not a
very large umbrella, but how could
know that?
II go this way" said she, with mo-
ton of her head westward.
my way" I cried. Come, this is
providential."
We started.
"If you wouldn't mind taking my
arm" said I, I'VE should be better shell
tered"
"Oh, perhaps we should Thank your
And she nestled quite close to me. We
walked along, talking. Myleft shoulder
got all the drippings, butscmehowI was
Indifferent to that.
"Are you sure you are thoroughly
sheltered?" asked.
Perfectly" she answered. "But
you're not, I'm afraid. You're too kind.
Mamma will be SO grateful"
liked this simple friendliness.
IL thought there was no chance of
rain today. You are more careful, Mr..
Dawson"
could not repress little start.
"You know my name?"
She laughed merrily.
"It's on the umbrella-half an inch
long," she said. 81 couldn't help read
ing it."
There it was" Joshua Dawson, 4 Cal
ceolaria Villas, West Kensington, W."
Som 3how the address annoyed mel
myself live in st. James street.
"a strange way to make acquaintance,
isn't it," she asked, with q coquettish
glance.
Delightful. But you haven't allowed
me to make acquaintance with you yet.
Haven't you your name anywhere about
your"
"My name is Lydia Lovelock," she
said. Don't you like it? It's prettier
than yours"
Certainly prettier than Joshua Daw-
son, said I, wishing Dawson had CHANGED
to be duke.
Joshua Dawson isn't pretty" she OBJ
served, with candid eyes; "now, is it?"'
"Then you wouldn't take my name in
VI yOuIbE 6ohCOS w hCCp hp bAC
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 a little cry,
"Oh, my anklew and leaned heavily up
on me- [held her up.
II believe I've wrenched it badly" she
added. "Oh, what lot Of trouble I'm
giving you Mr.. Dawsonl'
She looked lovely Il give you my
word, positively lovely-in her pain and
distress. I don't think I said so, but
said something, for she blushed again as
she answered:
"That's very nice of you, but how am
I to get homer"
II must come with you," Isaid.
She shook her head.
II can manage now"
"But YOU'LL never be able to get out"
"Oh, yes. But-perhaps-the rains
almost stopped-may I keep the um-
brella? There are some steps to mount
to our door, and"--
Now. could do anything else than
press Dawson's umbrella upon herr She
took it, and with a last bewitching smile
vanished from my sight. I turned and
almost ran back to the Cafe de Luxe, de-
termined to make clear breast of it to
Dawson. When I was so yards off, saw
him under the portico. The manager
and four walters stood round him in dis
consulate attitudes. One or two of his
remarks-he was talking very loud
reached my ears. I changed my mind
world wait ti11 he was calmar