Frostburg mining journal., 1899-11-11
%IIIlI!IllIIIlIlIIIIllIlI -
IN THE RAIN.
-%>>-
A Romance of One Um-
bIella For Two People.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
"If didn't look as If We're trying to
gain some benefit from your umbrella,
he remarked as he Glanced to meet her
on the church steps after the service,
81 would ask to walk home with you.
| didn't expect rain when | left home,
so | am unprcparcd."
"However," 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 ST.
lence when a man and woman
passed, like 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 a pretty
picture of that open freedom which so
undeniably marks Il congenial man and
wife, whose companionship has rip
ened into frank trust
AS they passed. Robert Cartwright
said, half thoughtlessly. perhaps:
"rhey are sensible. If two are trying
to use one umbrella. they are surely to
be commended if they strive to take
up as little room as possible. Even If
1t be noon. won't you take my armT'
But they are plainly not such-such
strangers as wc," she returned, con-
scious that both were treading on dan
gerOuS ground.
Are we StrangcrS?' he asked quick
ly, turning his eyes scarchingly to her.
The pretty face grew n trfle pale
against its light brown hair. \ lump
seemed to climb to her throat. but she
returned bravely. "Yes-that is. we'll
always be strangers compared with
them
He stopped for an instant and gazcd
fixcdly at her till a hot flush flew up
from her collar and swept under the
velvet strings Of her dainty brown
bonnet
"Always?" he asked simply
Eyes. Why, cant you see that they
are married?'
She tried to laugh 1t away. but it
"Oult nave bttU tllINult W ttIl W Illtll
pair of lips quivercd the more or
which pair of eyes swan In the deeper
mist as the two started on. both silent,
both sad. both realizing that a little
tragedy had occurred in that brief i'll
stant under that dripping umbrella.
Eight years went by and found Ca
briclle Naughne alone in the world,
with nnrnSSity FOR EnnninO II u lifn
in which all interest and all energy
were dead. She had ut 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 memory.
And some of our dearest memories are
the cruelest parts Of our lives. When
finally she stood before n mirror and
realized that that changed creature was
herself, a mighty resolve filed her
she would go to the source of that
memory. .
She knew where he was; she knew
that he had married three years after
that bitter morning In the rain and had
married Il wealthy wife. That was
the reason that she had thrust him
back from her long ago, just because
Of his poverty. Not that 1t would pain
her, u 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 u milestone about his neck?
Would she hold him 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 boundlcSs
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 Langinham one spring evening.
steelinG her heart to what might fol
low. The next evening she had walk
ed past his great house and was start
ing back when u sudden shower burst
unexpectedly upon her. She gathered
up her skirts in that particular way so
characteristic of Il dainty woman and
was hurrying along when all ut once
she was conscious of n sharp. childish
cry at her side. Turning. she beheld
a tall. sad faced man trying to quiet
n fretful baby of about = years. which
held out its dimpled hands to her and
cried, mamma, mamma"
The gentleman strOve to quiet it,
and Gabrielle started on. But sharp
and piercing came the cry of NAM