The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-08-19
DAWS0N'S UMBRELLA.
And Miss tLoveloclz's Provision for
q Rainy Day.

| ing down ON. the glass pOrtlcO. A sud
den, storm had swept up out of clea
sky. Everyone was caught unawares
THE stray cabs were seized in moment
the omlsi buses crowded before you coult
! look around. There was actually onl,
ore umbrella in the stand by the doc
hat andsa light gray frock coat, ant
eyed the umbrella speculatively.
knew theiowner. He had just gone il
to lunch. He was large and long
luncher. i was in a hurry. Perhap:
the storm would pass. 1 could send il
i, back by comrnisyionaire. was very
apt to,ts:l1e cold. and my appointment,
was really very important.
Thus tprompfed sof Satan, I put my
hand toward the umbrella. At the
moment Il perceived, like stage vii
lain, that I was OK served. In fact,
was, not alone. A young lady Of mos,
aatractivesappestraRce stood few feet
from me, almost under the portico,
gazing wisdfullyi out into the wet She
woresa al sunanerscostume. She looked
at her'watch. them againIat the storm,
and mVlrmured, iSsconsolately: "Oh,
shall be,late." Ami instinct of generos-
ity ovelc ame me. Without another
thought 1sor my sensitive chest or my
light-gray suit, with a firm proprietary
air, laid hold, of nawson's umbrella
ALLOW me-" said I, "as cabs seem
p pnatta j. >;t0 "offer you an UNI
A glad lightA leared into her eyes.
"Oh, 1 couldn't" she said. 'What
would you do?"
81 don't mind alwetting," I answered,
heroically. "Pr;ty take it. You can
send it back here. at your leisure. {"
Dawson could i.ot| have much more
than finished his sorAo.)
81 couldn't think q it," she repeated,
'sYou will get soaked through"
a sudden thought sstrucl1 me. After
all, had no busines.pto rlose sight Of
Dawson's umbrella.
Perhaps" L vertured to suggest,
''our roads lie the So me way It's a
large umbrella And I opened it. 1t
was not very large umbrella; but how
could l know that?
II 20 this way" saiN she, with mo-
ton of her,hand westwards.
my way,Y' cried "Come, this is
provid entail"
We started.
'If you wouldn't mind, taking my
arm" said 1. ''we shoulGbe'better shell
tered"
''Oh, perhaps we should. Thank
you!" and vshe nestled'quite close to me.
We walked>along talking. My left shout
der got all the drippings. but somehow
1 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.
81 thought there was no chance Of
rain to-day. Youare more careful, Mr..
Dawson"
could not,reprcss little start
"You Enowmy name?"
She laughed ncrrily.
Its on the umbrella-half an inch
long" she said; couldn't help cad
ing it"
There it was-"Joshua Dawson, 4
Calceolaria Villas, West kensington,
W." Somehow the address annoyed me
Il myself live in ST. James street.
"a strange way to make acquaint-
ance, isn't it?" she asked, with a coquet-
fish glance
Delightful But you haven't al
lowed me to make acquaintance with
you yet. Haven't you your name any
where about you?"
MY name is Lydia Lovelock," she
said; don't you like it? It's prettier
than yours"
Certainly prettier than Joshua Daw-
son." said l, wishing Dawson had
CHANGED to be duke.
Joshua Dawson isn't pretty" she
observed, with candid eyes; row, is
it?"
"Then you wouldn't take my name
instead of yours?'' asked to keep up
the conversation.
Your um bralla's enough to take for
one day." she SAID. with a blush. As
she spoke, she slipped and al but fell
on the shining pavement She gave a
Iltlic SEs. YAK IL dNIAic+ ana
leaned heavily upon NE. held her
up.
Il believe I've wrenchcd it badly"
she added. ''Oh. what 4 lot of trouble
I'm giving you. SIR. Dawson"
She looked lovely give you my
word, positively love,y-in her pain
aud distress. l don't think said so:
bat said -ething, for she blushed
again as S vcred:
That's vc.., nice Of you; but how an
/ to get hore?"
II must come with yo2," said
She shook her head
~ can manage now"
But you'll never DC able &c get out
''Oh. yes. -perhaps-t1s rains
almost stopped-nay keep the UNI
breila? There arc some steps TO mount /
to our door. and
Now, could do anything else THAI I
press Dawson's umbrella upon her? /
She took ii and. with last be.yitchiag .
smile. vanished from sight termed
and almost ran back 20 the Cafe &c .
Luxe. determined 10 make a clean
breast II !; to Dawson When was 1
fifty yards of / saw him under the 4
portieo. The manager aud four wait /