Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-11-11
Observation-Disclosures
N THE RAIN; M!..
A Romance OF One Um-
brelia For Two People.
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IF didn't look rs II We're trying to
gain some benefit from your umbrella.
he remarked rs he chanced TO meet her
ON the church steps after the service.
Il wo,:ld ask 10 walk home with you.
didn't expect rain when left home.
so | am unprcparcd
However" came her clear reply.
just arch enough To he frank. If you'll
carry my umbrella and let me turn
my energies to keeping my dress
caught up ont of the mud. I'll be very
thankful to you.'
They had walked strangely enough.
half way home in most complete 81
lcnce when a man and Il woman
passed. Ii them. under one umbrella.
but unlike them. the woman was held
Snugly close To the mans side aS she
clung 10 his arm. 1t was Il pretty
picture of that open freedom which so
undcniably marks congcnial man and
wife. whose companionship has rip
cncd into frank trust.
As they passed. Robert Cartwright
said. half thougl;!cSsly perhaps:
They are sensible. II two are trying
10 use one umbrella. they ere surely to
he commended if they strive to take
up rs little room as possible Even IL
il bc moor. won't you take my ARM
'Bnt they are plainly not such such
strangers aS we" she returned. con
scious that both were treading on dan
gcrouS ground.
Are we strangcrS?' he asked quick
~. turning his eyes Scarchingly To her.
The pretty face grew Il tritie pale
against its Eight brown hair 4 lump
seen Il TO climb to her throat hut she
returned hrnvcly. Yes that is. we'll
always be- strangers compared with
them
He stopped for an Instant and gazed
fixcdly ~ her til 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 10 laugh II away. but IL
would have been difficult To tell which
pair of lips quivcrcd the more or
which pair of eyes SWAN In the deeper
mist as the two started on. both silent.
both sad. both realizing that little
tragedy had occurred In that brief in
stant under that dripping umbrella.
Eight years went by and found Ga
briclle Naughne alone In the world.
with necessity for keeping up life
in which all interest and all energy
were dead She had at last arisen from
Il 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 a memory.
And some of our dearest memories are
the cruelcst parts of our lives. When
finally she stood before Il mirror and
realized that that changed creature was
herself. mighty resolve filed her
she would 20 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 wealthy wife. Thnt was
the reason that she had thrust him
back from her lo.E ago. just because
of his poverty. Not that IL would pain
her. thousand times lao. 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
10 turn the dreams 10 realities. She was
poor. Would She permit herself to
hang millStuue 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 II 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
kiItlN nv Na'4t Sllt Nbllll Afiitutt iiitO
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 l.an:iuham one spring evening.
Stccling her heart 10 what might fol
low The next evening she had walk
ed past his great house and was start
,..Is. . s,,l.ia,, Ill
unexpectedly upon her. She gathered
w her skirts ia that particular way SO
characteristic OF dainty woman and
was hurrylng along when all at once
she was conscious of Il sharp. childish
cry NJ her side. Turning she hehcld
u tall sad faced man trying to quiet
Il frriful baby of about > years. which
held out ills linplcd hands To her and
cried. Mamma. mammal"
The gentleman Strovc to quiet il.
and Gabrielle started on. But sharp
nnd piercing came the cry of NAM
ma" and her heart hadc her lingcr.
For the first time the man spoke to
her.
Il must beg your pardon. madam.
His mother has Just died. and some
thing about you seems Ia have recalled
her TO him..
Gabricllc's heart softcncd ut once.
Going straight UP. she took the tiny.
outStrctchcd hands in her own and
murmurc,l. Poor. mothcrless little
one
The father held out his umbrella
over her. and for the first time she
looked nj him. The face was Rob
crt'S
She WAS glad fog the excuse of turn
ing to the baby again and murmured
something unintclligihlc.
However. he had not recognized her,
so she drew all her strength TO her
assistance and succeeded in hiding her
emotion.
"If you Will walk under my umbrel-
In. as am going Your way. You can
keep dry. And. too. fear baby won't
like 10 part with YOU now.
There WAS no easy way To retreat
II would have been absurd To scud off
in II changed direction through the
prlting RAIN. 50 she continued talking
hurricdly to the child.
A. .h.v reached 80 font of the