Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1899-09-12
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
: \ THE rain: MIN.
a Romanco of One Um- :
brelia For Two People.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

OGG4Ld Z OF 4WO E6Op4Ss
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
IF didn't look as if were trying to
gain some benefit from your umbrella"
lie remarked as he Glanced to meet her
on the church steps after the service,
Il would ask to walk home with you.
didn't expect rain when left home,
so am uupropared."
"uowever." came her clear reply,
Just arch enough TO be frank, IF you'll
carry my umbrella and let me turn
my energies to keeping my dress
caught up out of the mud, I'll be very
thankful TO YOU"
They had walked, strangely enough,
half way home IN most. complete si-
lence when n man and woman
passed, lie them, under one umbrella,
but, unlike them, the woman was held
snugly close to the mans side as she
clung to his arm. 1t was pretty
picture of that open freedom which so
undcniably marks Il congenia! man and
wife, whose conlpaGiousllip has rip
ened into frank tfUst.
AS they passed. Robert Cartwright
said, half thoughtlessly. perhaps:
'"They are sensible. If two are trying
to use one umbrella. they ere surely to
be commended if they strive to take
up as little room as possible. Even If
it be noon, won't you take my arm?'
But they are plainly not such-such
strangers as We" she returned, con-
scious that both We're treading on dan
gerous ground.
Are we st3ngcrs?' lie asked quick
ly, turning his eyes searchingly to her.
The pretty face grew trihe pale
against its light brown hair. A lump
see, d to climb to her throat, but she
returned bravely, 'Yes-that Is, wen
always be strangers compared with
them"
He stopped for an instant and gazed
fxedly al her till hot flush flew up
from her collar and swept Under the
velvet strings of her dainty brown
bonnet.
"Always?" he asked simply.
"Yes. Why. can't you see that they
are married?'
She tried to laugh it away. but it
would have been difficult to tell which
pair of lips quivered the more or
mist as the two started on, both silent,
both sad. both realizing that little
tragedy had occurred III that brief in
stant under that dripping umbrella.
Eight years went by and found Ga
| brielIe Yaughne alone in the world,
with necessity for keeping up life
i'll which all interest and all energy
were dead She had at last arisen from
tedious illness. and the nurse her
self hardly recognized the tall. pale,
sad faced woman with the short, dark
curls, as the bright eyed. light haired
girl of six months before.
| Gabrielle had one thing dear to her,
and Only one, and that was Il memory.
And some of our dearest memories are
| the cruelest parts Of our lives. When
finally she stood before Il mirror and
realized that that changed creature was
| herself, a mighty resolve filed her
she would go to the source of that
memory.
f! She knew where he was; she knew
that he had married three years after
| that bitter morning in the rain and had
married a wealthy wife. That was
the reason that she had thrust him
back from her long ago, just because
of his poverty Not that it would pain
her, thousand times no! Hadn't she
cried out night after night since that
/ starvation with him would be only
bliss?
/ But she had known his ambitions
and his capabilities: knew his dreams
of success, and She realized his ability
/ to turn the dreams to realities. She was
poor Would she permit herself to
hang n milestone about his neck?
/ Would she hold linn always in the
/ depths of poverty by being his wife
and the mother of his needy children?
/ No; she would hurt his heart before
she would ruin his life.
Time had proved that she had been
right. His wife was beautiful woman,
and her wealth had opened boundless
opportunities to him. He had risen
she had known that he would. But
now that she scarcely was able to
know herself she would venture into
his world and see for herself how
happy and prosperous he was.
So, having spent all but her last
sovereign for her ticket, she stepped
into Lansinham one spring evening
steellnS her heart to what might fol
low. The next evening she had walk
/ ed past his great house and was start
ing back when sudden shower burst
/ unexpectedly upon her. She gathered
| tip her skirts in that particular way SC
characteristic of dainty woman and
was hurrying along when all at once
she was conscious of sharp childish
! cry at her. side. Turning, she beheld
Il tall, sad faced man trying to quiet
n fretful baby OF about , years, which
4 held out its dimpled hands to her aud
cried, Mamma. mammal"
The gentleman strove to quiet it
and Gabrielle started on. But sharI
aud piercing came tie cry Of "AIam