The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-12-17
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Blue Umbrella.
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Colonel, why did you never marry"
III cyclone had struck the sharp featured
man who sat with his feet elevated upon
the iron railing Of the veIanda, 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-anyhow they should marry"
"But you are not married"
Sand for good reason; am not able"
'But you could support very comfort.
able household if you were not we'll what
you are said the Colonel, as he moved
away.
''Ah! Hold on, Colonel! Do not leave
me in that he's gone"
The other, paying no attention to his
words, went down the broad steps and
walked away into the moonlight
81 know what he means; he might just
as we'll told me in so many words-spend.
thrift! Hang it all. An, well! lie is too
short to fret over mistakes gone aud done
for. Edith Leslie is a-here she comes
now."
Was it the tap.tsp Of tiny feet or the
frou-frou Of snowy skirts that made Harry
Lanoaster's heart throb tumutuousIy.
Rising, he tossed his cigar away, lifted his
hat aud offered the charming creature in
white chair.
''Do not disturb yourself. Mr.. Lancaster;
l merely came for brief walk up and
down the veranda.'
''If you will not rest here for a few
moments, will you permit me to otTer you
an arm for the strol?'
She laid her dainty hand upon his arm,
and the pair strolled slowly to the farther
end of the veranda they turned to letace
their steps when Edith said:
"Was not that FREELY? Over there
among the bushes to the left? See, there
it is again, and such glowing one, too!
ut may be "a tirely, but it is my opin-
ion that Colonel Drake, of the Regulars, is
smoking a cigar out there among the show"
DOWNS" said Harry.
SIS that charming old bear hert?" she
suddenly asked, allowing her hand to slip
from the others arm.
she 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 a very fine
gentleman. He is quite engaging, but l
detest that absurd idea about his strange
umbrella
"Umbrella? What umbrella, may l
ask" inquired Harry, puzzled at her re.
mark
Colonel Drake possesses a blue, old
fashioned umbrella, which is supposed to
be very potent love. charm or something
like that. Plainly, so it is told, when he
invites a lady to share its shelter against
the rain her heart is won forever. Strange.
is it not?"
Absurd! Have you ever
''No; not yet"
81 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 acknowledge for, lifting her
hand to his arm again, the pair resumed
the stroll
The next morning Harry Lancaster s
heart sank when he looked from the win
dow and saw the leaden clouds SQUIRTING
along the darkened sky.
When he entered the dining room he saw
that Miss Isles chair was vacant All.
the Colonel's chair, too, was vacant! Over
his coffee Harry made the resolve to make
break before night. He would ask her
for that dainty white hand.
After breakiasting he went to the smok-
ing room and seated himself near win
dow overlooking the white stretch of sand,
the curling waves and foam capped pillows
beyond.
Ali couple approached from the
beach. The gentleman carried blue UNI
brella.
1t was the Coionel's blue umbrella; it
was the Colonel, bnt-who was the lady:
Miss Lise, by heavens! Psbaw! Pm a
fool to think there is anything strange
about this. What do | care about the UNI
brella and its potent love-charms?
Two hours aiterward Edith Lisle blushed
as Harry Lancaster asked her question
She recovered quickly and said softly:
"Mr. Lancaster, the potency Of the UNI,
brella is not fiction. He is a charming
gentleman, and-I always did like soldiers
II thank you, and well-I simply said
yes under the blue umbrella, and l hope
we shall remain friends"