The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-09-15
DAWSON'S UMBRELLA.
And Miss Lovelock's Provision for
a Rainy Day.

n tVd1uy Lay.
Patter! pat! pat! The rain was pour
ing down on the glass portico. A sud-
den storm had swept up out of a clear
sky. Everyone 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. l stood, in a new
hat and light gray frock coat, and
eyed the umbrella speculatively. I
knew the owner. He had just gone in
to lunch. He was a large and long
luncher. 1 was in a hurry. Perhaps
the storm would pass. could send it
back by commissionaire. was very
apt to take cold, and my appointment
was really very important.
Thus prompted of Satan. 1 put my
hand toward the umbrella. At the
moment 1 perceived, like stage vii
lain, that / was observed. In fact,
was not alone. A young lady of most
attractive appearance stood few feet
from me, almost under the portico,
gazing wistfully out into the wet. She
wore summer costume. She looked
at her watch, then again at the storm,
and murmured, disconsolately: "Oh, I
shall be late" An instinct of generos-
ity overcame 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 1, ''as cabs seem
unattainable, to offer you an UNI
brella"
A glad light leaped into her eyes.
ooh, 1 couldn't" she said. "What
would you do?''
~ don't mind wetting," I answered,
heroically. ''Pray take it. You can
send it back here at your leisure"
Dawson could not have much more
than finished his soup.)
81 couldn't think of it." she repeated,
'You will get soaked through"
A sudden thought struck me. After
all, had no business to lose sight of
Dawson's umbrella.
"Perhaps," I ventured to suggest,
tour roads lie the same way. It's a
large umbrella" And opened it. 1t
was not very large umbrella; but how
could know thatS
81 go this way" said she, with mo-
ton of her hand westwards.
"My way" cried. "Come, this is
providential.
We started
eff you wouldn't mind taking my
arm" said 1, 1--WE should be better shell
tered"
.'Oh, perhaps we should. Thank
you'll" and she nestled quite close to me.
We walked along talking. My left shout
der got all the drippings, but somehow
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,
~ thought there was no chance of
rain to-day, You are more careful, Mr..
Dawson"
could not repress little start.
"You know my name?"
She laughed merrily.
ats on the umbrella-half an inch
long" she said; II couldn't help read
ing it."
There it was-"Joshua Dawson,
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 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 1, wishing Dawson had
CHANGED to be a duke,
Joshua Dawson isn't pretty" she
observed, with candid eyes; NOW, is
it?"
''Then you wouldn't take my name
instead of yours?" asked to keep up
the conversation.
''Your umbrellas enough to take for
one day." she said, with a blush. As
she spoke, she slipped and all but fell
On tnO olilA1HB PoNSAneA'' ~ So
little cry: ''Oh, my anklel" and
leaned heavily upon me. held her
up.
81 believe I've wrenched it badly"
she added. "Oh, what lot of trouble
Pm giving you, Mr.. Dawson"
She looked lovely-I give you my
word, positively lovely-in her pain
and distress. l 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?'
Il must come with you," said.
She shook her head.
81 can manage now"
"But you'll never be able to get OUT
''oh. yes, But-perhaps-the rains