The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-12

remarks-he was talking very loud
reached my ears. l changed my mind.
would wait till he was calner. /
turned away, but ut that instant Daw-
son caught sight of me. \ second later
he was pouring the story of his wrongs
into my ear.
Here came my fatal weakness. let
him go OH. Ho took me by the arm and
walked me off. I could not escape him
and all the way he Numbered against
the thief.
"1f it costs me ego, I'll bring him to
Justlce!' he declared. Really dared
not break it to him just yet.
Suddenly from round n 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 UNI
brella we passed. He scanned this one
and cried, darting forwards
my umbrellal'
With little scream Lydia turned and
fled. Dawson was after her like an ar
row. 1 pursued Dawson. Why, oh,
why, did she run away? Surely she must
have recognized me.
1t was very quiet street we were run
ming up, and our strange procession at
tracted little notice. The chase was soon
over. caught Dawson just as he caught
Lydia. For moment we all stood pant
ing. Then Dawson gasped again: MY
umbrella! Thicfw
Lydia seemed very agitated. Of course
came to her rescue. Avoiding Daw-
sons eye, I hastily told my shameful
tale. Lydia's face frightened, but still
there was apprehension in her looks.
"This lady, believe me-" said, lis en-
tirely blameless. OF course she Thought
the umbrella was my own. My sole CON
ISOLATION, Dawson, is to think that had
you been i'll my place you would have
done the same"
Il don't see,' remarked Dawson rude
ly, why it consoles YOU to think me II
thief"
preserved Il dignitied silence.
However" he continued, ''if this
young lady has quite finished with my
property, perhaps sho will be good enough
to give it me back"
Lydia did not take the hint She chung
to the umbrella.
Tiff you would be so kind" she
stammcrcd, ''as to lend it to me for to-
day-the weather is still threatening-I
would return it tomorrow"
your request, madam, is n modest
one" answered Dawson sarcasticallv.
"but, as you observe, the weather is
threatening, and l want my umbrella
Kindly give it me-"
Really, Dawson, to oblige lady"-I
began.
why don't you buy her an umbrel-
laI" sneered Dawson.
III sho 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:'
Ibid not understand her, but we turned
round and began to walk, looking for a
shop. She was very strange girl. She
Jagged behind. 1 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.
at rains" ho said
1t did rain.
Put up the umbrella" said Dawson
roughly.
Let the lady have it," said indis-
nmtly.
"We'll share it," grinncd Dawson.
"Hou can get wet
But Lydia did not put it up.
"The rains not much," she faltcred.
1t was now pouring. With muttcrcd
oath, Dawson snatched the umbrella
from her. Lydia shrieked and ran away
II fri, IL.
of her speed up the street again
Stop, stop" L cried. stop, my dear
Miss Lovelock."
Holy powers!' exclaimed Dawson.
He had opened theumbrella. AS he did
so there was Il thud on the pavement
two, three thuds. In amaze | looked
down. There lay silver cigarette case,
two purses and gold watch. Dawson
burst into maniacal laughtcras he point
ed at Lydia's retreating figure. That
girl could run.
For moment 1 stood dumfounded.
What revelation! Dawson chuckled in
satanic glee. Sadly stopped down and
picked up the purses, the cigarette case
and the watch
Great Scott!' | cried, and my hand
flew to my waistcoat pocket.
1t was my watch!
did not prosecute Lydia because |
could not have overtaken her, and for
other reasons 1t was altogether too
sad, too disheartening, too disappoint-
ing discovery. Dawson, however, OBJ
served that it seemed to him an excel
lent example of poetic justice in real life.
st. James Gazette,
Treatment For n "Wild Hair"