Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-08-18
MisEtllanenMs.
THAT UMBRELLA.

Captain FOrtes0ue had fallen desper-
ately in love with Miss Bracegirdlo at
first sight, and as the young lady had
danced with him the entire evening it
was more than likely that she shared
the same feeling
The next day he found an excuse for
making call, as he had left bis UNI.
brella at her house the night before,
"You can't play that game on me"
said the servant maid who met him at
the door, "That umbrella dodge is play
ed out" and she shut the door in his
face, leaving him feeling very crestlallcn
indeed
He went, however. and purchased a
new umbrella, and having met Miss
Bracogirdlc at the park found himself
more in lovo than ever.
As soon as seemed at all decent he
called again, feeling contented with him
self and his fate. But when he asked
whether Mrs. Bracegirdle was at home,
and the stern maid eyed him for silent,
awful instant, his spirits fell strangely.
"She is not" said the maid, and shut
the door with an abruptness that gave
him a singularly disconsolate feeling.
When about an hour later tho ladies'
came in and the maid brought them
some tea, she said to Mrs. Bracegirdle.
"If you please, ma'am, that young
man has been here again who came one
day with the umbrella dodge He asked
if you were at home-of coursS he knew
you were not-and suppose he had
some plan of getting into the house,
but | shut the door in his face and would
not listen"
'Tbats right, Eliza" said Mrs
Bracegirdle, "never give them a chance
to get inside the hall There's been
too much of that stealing of coats and
umbrellas in the neighborhood."
The next afternoon was Mrs. Brace
girdle's day "at home" Captain For
tescue had not intended to go then, He
wanted the lovely Miss Bracegirdlo to
himself-not surrounded by crowd Of
admirers. But as be had not been able
to see her the day before he determined
to brave the crowd aud be content II he
got but one smile all his own. And so
be presented himself once more at Mrs.
Bracegirdle's door, this time knowing
her to be within. But when it was
opened, and he confidently framed the
phrase, not as a query, but an assertion,
"Mrs. Bracegirdle at home and pro-
posed Immediately to enter, the maid
said shortly, "No; she is not" aud
quickly shut the door upon him.
lie determined he would not worry
her by bis unwelcome presence whore
she could not easily avoid him, nor per.
nit himself to BIO laughed at by his sue.
cessful rival SO be excused himself
from certain engagements at houses
where he knew he should meet her.
lie gave up dancing and took to cards
instead
Mamma" said Miss Bracegirdle,
one day, doesn't il seem odd that for
three weeks Captain Fortescue has not
called p
ut docs" said Mrs. Bracegirdle
"and yet when come to think Of it,
we have not met him out anywhere
either. lie must be i'll, or more likely
he has gone out Of town. He will call
when be comes back"
This she said, noting that her daugh-
ter looked little pale and out Of sorts.
But secretly she was uneasy herself
Captain Fortescue had shown signs Of
being 80 hot q wooer that IL seemed very
improbable be would leave town without
a word 10 them Asthc next opportu-
nifty she quietly made some inquiries
about him and learned that Captain For
tescuc was neither i'll nor out Of town
This was bad news indeed, for Mrs
Bracegirdle knew perfectly we'll that hoI
daughters heart was seriously touched
and as Captain Fortescue was perfectly
"eligible" all had promised fairly.
Amid all the gayoty and the many
engagements which came with every DAY
there was melancholy air about Tho
house which had never boon there be
fore. IL was impossible for them Il
Danish il altogether. Even Maste
Harry, a cheerful youth Of about four
teen, became aware Of ii at last and do
clared his sister was not half so jolly a