The Press., 1893-11-09
ng, for she blushed again as

said something, for she blushed again as she answered.:
 That's very nice of you, but how am I to get homeg'
 II must come with you," said. l She shook her head.
 "i can manage now"
 ''But you'll never be able to get out"
 ssOh, yes. But-perhaps-th rains almost stopped-may I keep the um- brella? There are some steps to mount to our door, and"--
 Now, could I do anything else than press Dawson's umbrella upon her? She took it, and with last bewitching smile vanished from my sight. l turned and almost ran back to the Cafe de Luxe, de- ter,nined to make clean breast of it to Dawson. When was 50 yards off, saw him under the portico. The manager and four walters stood round him in dis consulate attitudes. One or two of his remarks-&e was talking very loud reached my ears. I changed my mind. would wait till he was calmer. l turned away, but at that instant Daw- son caught sight of me. A second later he was pouring the story of his wrongs into my ear.
 Here came my fatal weakness. let him go on. He took me by the arm and walked me off. could not escape him, and all the way he thundered against the thief.
 eff it costs me e2O, I'll bring him to justicer' he declared. Really dared not break it to him just yet. Suddenly from round Q 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 uln- brella we passed. He scanned this one | and cried, darting forward:
 My umbrella" With little scream Lydia turned and | fled. Dawson was after her like an ar- row. I pursued Dawson. Why, oh, | why, did sho run away? Surely she must have recognized me.
 It was very quiet street we were run hing up, and our strange procession at 1 tracted little notice. Tire chase was soon over. caught Dawson just as he caught | Lydia. For moment we all stood pant ing. Then Dawson gasped again: My umbrellal Thief!' Lydia seemed very agitated. Of course | 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, ''is en- tirely blameless. Of course she thought the umbrella was my own. My sole con- solation, Dawson, is to think that had you been in my place you would have done the sa1ne."
 q don't see," remarked Dawson rude ly, "why it consoles you to think me a thief"
 preserved dignifed silence.
 However" he continued; Eff 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. l "If-if you would be so kind" she stammered, 'as to lend it to me for to- day-the 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 I want my umbrella. Kindly give it me- "Really, Dawson, to oblige lady"-I began.
 "Why don't you buy her an umbrel- lap sneered Dawson.
 ''If she would accept it, I should be- I stopped. To my surprise, Lydia laid her hand on my arm and said: "Oh, do, please! And may I keep this till we get to the shopY' Idid not understand her, but we turned round and began to walk, looking for a shop. She was very strange girl. She l Jagged behind. I had to wait twice for her. Once she took a turning as though to leave us, and when I called her back she pouted.
 Suddenly Dawson looked up.
 ''It rains," he said. It did rain.
 'Put up tho umbrella" said. Dawson roughly.
 'Let the lady have it." said I 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 8 frightened rabbit-ran at the top l of her speed up the street again.
 "Stop, stop!'' cried. 'Stop, my dear Miss Lovelock."
 "Holy powersr exclaimed Dawson.
 He had opened the umbrella. As he did so there was thud on the payement- two, three thuds. In amaze I looked down. There lay silver cigarette case, two purses and a gold watch. Dawson burst into maniacal laughter as he point ed at Lydia's retreating figure. That girl could run.
 For moment stood dumfounded. What a revelation! Dawson chuckled in satanic glee. Sadly stopped down and picked up the purses, the cigarette case and the watch.
 "Great Scottv' I cried, and my hand flew to my waistcoat pocket. It was my watch! did not prosecute Lydia because I could not have overtaken her, and for other reasons, It was altogether too sad, too disheartening, too disappoint= ing discovery. Dawson, however, ob= | served that it seemed to him an excel