The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-09-08
THAT UMBRELLA.

ing down on the glass portico. A sud
den storm had swept up out Of a clear
sky. Every n was caught
The stray cabs were seized in a moment,
the omnibuses crowded before You could
look around. There was actually only
n umbrella in the stand by the door of
the Cafe de Luxe. I stood, in a new hat
and a light gray frock coat, and eyed
the umbrella speculatively. knew the
owner. He had just gone to lunch. He
was a large and long luncher. | was in
a hurry. Perhaps the storm would pass.
| could send it back by a commissions
naire. | was very apt to take cold, and
my appointment was really very impor-
tant.
Thus prompted of satan, | put forth
my hand toward the umbrella. At the
moment | perceived, like a stage vii
lain, that was observed. In fact, l was
not alone. A young lady of most at
tractlve appearance stood a 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, 'Ob, I shall
be late" An instinct of generosity over
came me. Without another thought for
my sensitive chest or my light gray suit,
with a firm proprietary air. / laid hold
of Dawson's umbrella.
ALLOW me-" said /, las cabs seem I'M
a~ttainable, to offer You an umbrella"
A glad light leaped into her eyes. 'Oh,
| couldn't" she said. "Wha would YOU
do?'
Il don't mind a wetting," | answered
heroically. Pray take it. You can
send it back here at your leisure (Daw-
son could not have much more than fin
ished his soup.
Il couldn't think of it," she repeated.
You will get soaked through"
A sudden thought struck me. After
all, | had nc business to lose sight Of
Dawson's umbrella.
Perhaps" ventured to suggest, ''our
roads lie the same way. It's a large um-
brella." And I opened it. 1t was not a
very large umbrella. but how could |
know that?
II go this way" said she, with a mo-
ton Of her head westward.
MY way" l cried. Come, this is
providential."
We started.
IF You wouldn't mind taking nv
arm" said l. I've should be better shell
tered"
'Oh, perhaps we should. Thank your
And she nestled quite close to me. We
walked along, talking. My left shoulder
got all the drippings, but somehow l was
indifferent to that.
"Are you sure you are thoroughly
sheltered?" I asked.
Perfectly" she answered. But
you're not. Tn 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 a little start.
"You know my name?'
She laughed merrily.
"It's on the umbrella-half an inch
long," she said. 20 couldn't help read
ing it."
There it was-"Joshua Dawson, 4 Cal
c~eolaria Villas, West Kensington, w"
Somehow 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 ], wishing Dawson had CHANGED
to be q duke.
Joshua Dawson isn't pretty" abe OBJ
served, with candid eyes; NOW, is it?'
Then you wouldn't take my name in
stead of yours?" I asked, to keep MP the
conversation.
Your umbrellas enough to take for
n day, she said, with a 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 W.
Il believe I've wrenched it badly" she
added. "Oh, what a lot of trouble I'm
giving you Mr.. Dawson
She looked lovely i give you my
word, positively l~ovely-in her pain and
distress. / don't think | said SO. but |
said something, for she blushed again as
she answered:
That's very nice of you, but how am
/ to get home?"
4 must come with you" said.
She shook her head.
II al manage now"
But you'll never be able to get out"
"Oh. yes. But-perhaps-the rains
almost ~stopped-may | keep the um-
brella? There are some steps + o mount
to- mr. door, and
Now, could / do anything else than
press Dawson's umbrella upon her? She
took it, and with a last bewitching smile
vanished from my sight. / turned and
almost a back to the Cafe de Luxe. de-
termined to make a clean breast of 1t to