The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-09-01

Now, could do anything else than
press Dawson's umbrella upon her?
She took IL and, with a last bewitching
smile, vanished from sight turned
and almost ran back to the Cafe de
Luxe, determined TO make clean
breast of it to Dawson When I was
fifty yards off ] saw him under the
portico. The manager aud four wait
ers stood round him In disconsolate at
titudes One or two of his remarks
he was talking very loud--reached my
ears. changed my mind. ! would
wait till he was calmer turned away;
but at that instant Dawson caught
sight of me. A second later he was
pouring the story of his wrongs into
my ear.
Here came my fatal weakness I let
him go on. lie took me by the arm
and walked me off. could not escape
him; and all the way he thundered
against the thief.
If it costs me twenty pounds, I'll
bring him to justiccl" he declared.
Really, / dared not break IL to him
just yet.
Suddenly, from round sharp corner,
there came upon us-almost running
into us-Lydia Lovelock herself, with
Dawson's umbrella in her hand. He
had been narrowly scanning every UNI
5rella we passed. He scanned this one,
and cried, darting forward:
my umbrclla,"
With little scream Lydia turned
and fled. Dawson was after her like
an arrow. pursued Dawson. Why, Oh,
why, did she run away? Surely she
must have recognized me.
1t was very quiet street we were
running up, and our strange procession
attracted little notice. The chase was
soon over. l caught Dawson just as he
caught Lydia. For a moment we all
stood painting. Then Dawson gasped:
MY umbrella Thief
Lydia seemed very agitated. OF course
I came to her rescue. Avoiding Daw-
sons eye, hastily told my shameful
tale. Lydia's face frightened, but still
there was apprehension in her looks.
This lady, believe me-" said, "is
entirely blameless. OF course she
thought the umbrella was my own.
My sole consolation, Dawson, is to
think that had you been in my place
you would have done the same"
II don't see," remarked Dawson,
rudely, "why it consoles you to think
inc a thief"
Ipreserved a dignified silence.
However" he continued, "h this
young lady has quite finished with my
property, perhaps she will be good
enough to give it me back"
Lydia did not take the hint She
clung to the umbrella
Tiff you would be so kind" she
stammered, "as to lend it to me for to-
day-thc weather is still threatening
I would return it tomorrow.
Your request. madam, is a modest
one," answered Dawson, sarcastically;
but, as you observe, the weather is
threatening and want my umbrella.
Kindly give it me-"
(. Really, Dawson, to oblige lady"
began.
why don't you buy her an UNI
brella?" sneered Dawson.
'If she would accept it, l 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?"
l did not understand her; but we
turned round and began to walk, looE-
ing for shop. She was very strange
girl. She Jagged behind; had to wait
twice for her. Once she took turning
as though to leave us, and when
called her back she pouted
Suddenly Dawson looked up.
1T rains" he said.
1t did.
Put up the umbrella" said Dawson,
roughly.
Let the lady have it," said !, indig-
nantly.
well share it." grinned Dawson.
You can get wet"
But Lydia did not put it up.
THE rains not much" she faltered.
1t was now pouring. With muttered
from her Lydia shrieked and ran away
like a frightened rabbit-ran at the top
of her speed up the street again.
stop. stop!" cried. ''Stop, my dear
Miss Lovelock."
Holy powers!" exclaimed Dawson.
He had opened the umbrella; as he
did so there was thud on the pave
ment-two, three thuds. In amaze I
looked down. There lay a silver cigar
ette-case, two purses and a gold watch.
Dawson burst into maniacal laughter
as he pointed at Lydia's retreating fig
ure. That girl conld run.
For moment stood dumfounded.
! What revelation. Dawson chuckled
in Satanic glec. Sadly stopped down
and picked up the purses, the cigar
ette-case and the watch.
Great -" l cried; and my hand
few to my waistcoat-pocket.
1t was my watch.
did not prosecute Lydia, because
could not have overtalren her, and for
other reasons. 1t was altogether too
sad, too dishearteping, too disappoint-
ing discovery. Dawson, however,
observed that it seemed to him an ex-
cellent example of poetic justice in real