The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-04

NheV ihiS ours. changed my mind.
l would wait till he was calmer.
turned away, but at that instant Daw-
son caught sight of me. a second later
ne was pouring the story of his wrongs
into my ear.
Here came my fatal weakness. let
him go on. He tool, me 10y the arm and
walked me OFF. | could not escape him,
and all the way lie Numbered against
the thief
''If it costs me go, I'll bring him to
justicc-' he declared. Really l dared
not breal, it TO him Just yet.
Suddenly from round sharp corner
there came upon us-almost running i'll
to us-Lyda Lovclock herself, with
Dawson's umbrella i'll her hand lie
had been narrowly scanning every UNI
brella we passed. He scanned this one
and cried, darting forward:
My umbrelar'
With a little scream Lydia turned and
fed. Dawson was after her like III ar
row. | pursued Dawson. Why. oh,
why, did she run away? Surely she must
have recognized me.
1t was a very quiet street we were run
ming up, and our strange procession at
tracted little notice. The chase was soon
over. ! caught Dawson just us he caught
Lydia. For IL moment we all stood pant
ing. Then Dawson gaspcd again: MY
umbrella! Thiefr'
Lydia seemed very agitated. OF course
L came to her rescue. Avoiding Daw-
sons eye, l hastily told my shameful
tale. Lydia's face frightened, but still
there was apprehension III her looks.
This lady, believe me- said, lis en-
tirely blamcless. 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 a
a thief"
Ipreserved a dignifed silence.
However" he continued, eff 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 clung
to the umbrella.
'If-if You would be so kind" she
stammered, las to lend it to me for to-
day-the weather is still threatening-I
would return it tomorrow.
"Your request, madam, is q modest
one" answered Dawson sarcastically,
"but, as You observe, the weather is
threatening, and 1 want my umbrella.
Kindly give it me-
'Really, Dawson, TO oblige LADY,
began.
why don't you buy her an umbrel-
la" snecred Dawson.
IF she would accept it, should be-
l 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. Sho was IL very strange girl. She
Jagged behind. 1 had to wait twice for
her. Once she took turning as though
to leave u.s. and when called her back
she poutcd.
Suddenly Dawson looked up.
1T rains, he said.
1t did rain.
Put up the umbrella" said Dawson
roughly.
Let the lady have it, said 1 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.
1t WAS now pouring. With Il muttcrcd
OATH Dawson snatched the umbrella
from her. Lydia shrieked and ran away
like Il frightened rlbbit-ran at the top
of her speed mp the street again.
Stop, stop | cried. stop, my dear
Miss Lovelock"
Holy powers exclaimed Dawson.
He had opened the umbrella. she did
so there was IL thud on the pavement
two, three thuds. In amaze | looked
down. There lay a silver cigarette case
two purses and gold watch Dawson
burst into maniacal laughtcras he point
ed at Lyda's retreating figure. That
girl could run.
What Il 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 l
could not lave ovcrtaken 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.
wild hair" is the most annoying