The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1898-12-14
A Bill f UMBRELLA.


sCol2pel, Why gid you never marry?"
II a'cycl6ne. bad struck the sharp-fea-
three! man W5o Bat with his feet elevat-
ed upon the iron railing Of the yeranda,
it could not have caused him TO start
up more quickly
Harry, what made you ask me that
question:"
Why all men marry that is. men
Of means or-anynow they should mar
ry."
But you are not married.
And for good reason; am not
able"
But you could support very COM
Portable household if You we're not
well, what you are said the
Colonel, as he moved away.
All Hold on. Colonel. Do not leave
me in that-he's gone,
The other paying no attention to his
ords. went down the broad steps and
walked away into the moonlight
Il know what he means; he might
Just as well told me in SO many words
-spcndthrift. Hang it all! All, we'll
Life is too short to fret over mistakes
gone and done for Edith Lisle is a
here she mes now.
Was it me tap-tap Of tiny feet or the
frou-frou of snowy SKIRTS that made
Harry Lancaster's heart throb tumui-
tuously Rising he tossed his cigar
away. lifted his hat and offered the
yst,a
DO not disturb yourself. Mr.. Eancas-
ter; ! merely came for brief walk UP
and down the yeranda.
III you will nor rest here for few
moments, will you permit me to offer
you my arm for the stroll2
She laid her dainty hand upon his
arm. and the pair strolled slowly to the
farther end of the yeranda; they turn
ed to retrace their steps when Edith
said:
Was not that a FREELY? over there
among the bushes TO the left? See,
there it is again. and such glowing
one, too
1T may be d FREELY, but it is my
opinion that Col. Drake, of the Regu
lars, is smoking Il cigar out there
among the showdowns.' said Harry.
is that charming old bear here?"
she suddenly asked. allowing her hand
to slip from the others arm
lie came this afternoon.
And as | was not down to tea. | did
not meet him.
You seem to be acquainted with the
Colonel, Miss Isle.
Fairly: but really | ought not to
have spoken so shockingly about very
fine gentleman. lie is quite engaging
but | detest that absurd idea about his
strange umbrella.
"Umbrella? What umbrella. may |
ask" inquired Harry. puzzled at her
remark
Col Drake possesses IL blue, old
fashioned umbrella, which is suppos-
ed to be a very potent love-charm or
something like that Plainly, so it Is
told when he invites Il lady 10 share its
shelter against the rain, her heart is
won forever. Strange. is ii not
Absurd, Have you eFere==
No, not yet.
Il should not like YOU To accept its
shelter ever though do not believe in
such Stiffness softly said Harry
II she understood his meaning she
was coy of acknowledgment, for, lifting
her hand to his arm again. the pair re-
stunned the stroll.
The next morning Harry Baneastef's
heart sank when he looked from the
window and Rtw the leaden clouds
scurring along the dafkened sky.
When he entered the dining-foom lie
saw that Miss Lsle's chair was va
cant. All! the Golonels chair. too.
was vacant Over his coffee Harry
made the resolve to make break be
fore night lie would ask her for that
dainty white hand.
After hreakfasting he went to the
smoking-room and seated himself near
window overlooking the white stretch
of sand the curling waves and foam
capped pillows beyond.
All! A couple approached from the
beach The gentleman carried a blue
umbrella,
1t was the Colonel's blue umbrella; it
was the Colonel. but--who was the
lady?
Miss Lisle, by heavens! Pshaw' I'm
fool to think there is anything
strange about this. What do | care
about the blue umbrella and its potent
love charm"
TWO hours afterwards, Edith Lisle
hlushed as Harry Lancaster asked her
question She recovered quickly and
said softly:
MI Lancaster, the potency OF the
blue umbrella is not n fiction He is a
charming gentleman. and-always did
like soldiers. IL thank you, and well
! simply said yes under the blue UNI
brella. and hope we shall remain
q friaDds "