Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-09-07
DEMOCRATIC NORTHWEST NAPOLEON o, SEPTEMBER T. 1893

JusuceF- ne declared. nealIy ! 1are1
not break it to him Just yet.
Suddenly from round sharp corner
there came upon us-almost running in
to 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, darting forward;
"My umbrellara
With little scream Lydia turned and
fed Dawson was after her like an ar
row. / pursued Dawson. Why, oh,
why, did she run away: Surely she must
have recognized me.
1t was very quiet street we were run
ming up, and our strange procession at
tracted little notice. The chase was soon
over. ] caught Dawson just as he caught
Lydia. For moment we all stood pant
ing. Then Dawson gasped again: my
umbrellal ThiefP
Lydia seemed very agitated. OF course
I came to her rescue. Avoiding Daw-
sons eye, l hastily told my shameful
tale. Lydia's face frightened, but still
there was apprehension in her looks.
"This lady, believe me-" said, sis en-
tirely blameless. OF course she thought
the umbrella was my own. My sole con-
ISOLATION, Dawson, is to think that had
you been in my place you would have
done the same"
II don't see," remarked Dawson rude
ly, "why it consoles you to think me
thief"
Ipreserved digniSed silence.
However" he continued, ''if this
young lady has quite finished with my
property, perhapsshe will be good enough
to give it me back"
Lydia did not take the hint. She clung
to the umbrella.
"If-if 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 a 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 LADY,
began.
why don't you buy her an umbuel-
la?" sneered Dawson.
"If she would accept it, I 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?"
Ibid not understand her, but we turned
round and began to walk, looking for a
shop. She was very strange girl. She
Jagged behind. had to wait twice for
her. Once she took turning as though
t0leave us, and when called her back
she pouted.
! Suddenly Dawson looked up.
sit rains," he said.
It did rain.
"Put up the umbrella" said Dawson
roughly.
"Let the lady have it." said indig
nantly.
"We'll share it," grinned Dawson
"You can get wet"
But Lydia did not put it UP.
''The rains not much" she faltered
It was now pouring. With muttered
oath, Dawson snatched the umbrella
from her. Lydia shrieked and ran away
like a frightened rabbit-ran at the toI
of her speed up the street again.
"Stop, stopl' cried. 'tStop, my Geal
Miss Lovelock."
''Holy pewersw exclaimed Dawson.
He had opened the umbrella. AS he die
SO there was thud On the pavement
two, three thuds. In amaze looked
down. There lay silver cigarette case
two purses and gold watch. Dawson
burst into maniacal laughter as he point
ed at Lydia's retreating figure. Tha'
girl could run.
For moment stood dumfounded
What revelation! Dawson chuckled IL
satanic glee. Sadly stopped down ant
picked up the purses, the cigarette cas-
? and the watch.
"Great Scott!' l cried, and my han(
few to my waistcoat pocket.
1t was my watch!
did not prosecute Lydia because
could not have overtaken her, and fol
other reasons. 1t was altogether tot
sad, too disheartening, too disappoint
ing discovery. Dawson, however, OBJ
served that it seemed to him an excel
, lent example Of poetic justice in real life
r st. James Gazette.