Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-03-24
A BLUE UMBRELLA.

cyclone hau struck the sharp-fea-
,ured man who sat with his feet elevat-
cd upon the iron railing OF the veranda,
II 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
or means or--anyhow they should mar
ry."
But you are not married"
And for good reason; l am not
able"
But you could support q very com
Portable household II you were 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
words. went down the broad steps and
walked away into the moonlight.
Il know what he means; he might
Just AZ well told me In 30 many words
-spendthrift! Hang It all! All. well!
Life Is too short to fret over mistakaG
gone and done for. Edith Lisle ia a
here she comes now"
Was II the tap-tap OF tiny feet or the
frou-frou of snowy sA,rts that made
Harry Lancaster's heart throb tumul-
tuously. Rising. he tossed his cigar
away. lifted his hat and offered the
charming creature in white a chair.
DO not disturb yourself. Mr.. Lancas-
ter; | merely came for u brief walk up
and down the veranda."
III you will not rest here for few
moments. will you permit me to offer
you my arm for the stroll?"
She laid her dainty hand upon his
arm. and the pair strolled slowly to the
farther end Of the veranda; they turn
ed to retrace their steps when Edith
said:
Was not that freely? Over there
among the bushes to the left? See,
there II Is again. and such a glowing
one, tool"
1T may be freely, but II IL my
opinion that Col. Drake, OF the Regu-
lars. Is smoking a cigar out there
among the showdowns." said Harry.
lis that charming old bear here?'
she suddenly asked. allowing her hand
to slip from the others arm.
He came this afternoon"
And as | was not down to tea, | did
not meet him"
you seem to be acquainted with this
Colonel, Miss Lisle."
nf,.l,, \
have spoken 80 shockingly about a very
fine gentleman. He 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 blue, old
fashioned umbrella, which Ii suppos-
ed to be u very potent love-charm or
something like that. Plainly, 80 1t Is
told. when he invites lady to share It's
shelter against the rain. her heart Ia
won forever. Strange, Is II not?"
Absurd Have you ever
mo, 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-
sumed the stroll.
The next morning Harry Lancaster's
heart sank when he looked from the
window and saw the leaden clouds
scurring along the dsrkencd sky.
When he entered the dining room he
saw that Miss Lisle's chair was va
cant. All! the Colonel's chair, too,
was vacant! Over his coffee Harry
made the resolve to make a break be-
dainty white hand.
After breakfasting he went to the
smoking room and seated himself near
a 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!
II was the C0lonels blue umbrella; Il
was the Colonel. but-who was the
lady?
Miss Lisle. by heavenE Pshaw! I'm
a 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
blushed as Harry Lancaster asked her
a question. She recovered quickly and
said softly:
Mr.. Lancaster. the potency OF the
blue umbrella Is not a fiction. He Ia a
charming gentleman. and-always did
like soldiers. II thank you, and well
/ simply said yes under the blue UNI
brella. and | hope we shall remain
friends"