The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-08-26
a Thunder Shower.

Il
Lucy Manning went downtown. and il
was oppressively hot, but she looked
| dainty and cool in her crisp ruffled lawn
| and white hat. Having bought few
| yards OF ribbon, a shirtwaist, marked
| down to half" and an ice-cream soda,
she started home The trolley car was
almost empty and she took corner
seat, near the front.
| Suddenly the sky drew dark, lightning
| flashed, thunder roared, and rain came
down In torrents. The conductor strug-
gled nobly with the curtains, but be-
fore Lucy's were down she was wet
| through. She looked at her gown sor-
rowfully; the color was running: it was
ruined. She minded the gowns plight
more than her own.
| What pity" she said to herself 'I
was sure that II would wash"
| Just then a tall, good-looking young
man appeared at her side.
| Good morning, Miss Manning" he
said. Pardon me il 1 offer you my
overcoat. You will catch cold In that
thin gown. 1 am afraid"
| Lucy drew herself up haughtily. "No,
! thank you; 1 shall do very well as I
am"
But I insist and Lawrence Fulton
dextrously wrapped the coat around her.
so far away as to be almost in a pud-
die. Lucy eyed him furtively.
Il don't care if he does get wet" she
thought. Mean thing. I wonder how
he happened to have his overcoat with
him this hot day."
Presently her conscience began to
| trouble her Mr.. Fulton" she said,
why don't you sit farther over this
way? You are in the wet
Il am perfectly comfortable, Miss Man
| ming. thank you"
That's absurd" answered Lucy. you
are almost in puddle"
1T doesn't matter" said Lawrence.
Nothing matters now" he added half
under his breath. But Lucy heard him,
although she gave no sign.
The car sped three blocks, but neither
of the young people said another word.
At Superior street Lawrence arose
bowed, and left the car.
Goodness" exclaimed Lucy. almost
aloud, "he has left his overcoat" But
the car was already at Chicago ave
nue.
When Lucy arrived at her getting-ofr
place the rain had ceased. She emerged
from the overcoat a much-bedraggled OBJ
ject. Il feel like freak" she said TO
herself, impatiently, as she walked two
blocks in her wet and spoiled finery,
with the heavy overcoat on her arm.
The sun had come out again and added
to her misery.
Arrived at home, arrayed In dry gar
ments, and, happily. feeling none the
worse for her wetting, she ruefully sur
veyed the overcoat.
II suppose 1 must send 1t back; he
will never come for it after last night"
She shook it out, preparatory to fold
ing it, and a long, white glove fell to
the floor
why, there's the glove lost last
winter at the McDonalds' dance" Lucy
cried Stupid boy, to take 1t and carry
1t around" But her heart softened a
little. THAT was the night after he
asked he to marry him. o. we had such
a good time at that dance"
Lucy, nave you heard the news?"
cried a younger sister, bursting into the
room. Grace Anderson is engaged TO
Mr.. Worthy"
Lucy gasped. who told you, Molly?''
Grace herself. She was here this
morning. 1 can't stay to talk now.
want to tell Frances" and the irnpetu
Gus young lady whisked herself away.
And to think-to think that I sent
Lawrence away because 1 thought that
he and Grace were-were too much TO-
gether. Sam Worthy is Lawrence's best
lIlSHu ana OF course ne was nice TO
Grace. And he wouldn't tell Sans Sc
cret even to clear himself. o. dear
dear!'
"Mr. Fulton, ma'am; come for his
coat" said maid. at the open door.
I'll see him, Nora
Lucy gathered the great coat in her
arms and carried it to the drawing
room.
Miss Manning" said Lawrence, as he
came forward, "why didn't you send n
down by Nora? 1t was inexcusable for
me to leave it on your hands, but I
forgot all about it,
blush.
Lawrence started. Lucy, what do you
mean?"
What said Did you forget me?"
My every thought was of YOU.
Lucy" "
We'll, I forgive you, Lawrence.
don't like quarrels"
Lawrence was wise enough TO aceen+
forgiveness" and to assume that u COW
cred last nights offense as we'll as TO-
days
By and by Lucy asked curiously. GLOW
did you happen to be carving that
heavy coat on this hot day?"
20, that's easy enough, dear. I was
bringing II home from the office for
mother to pack away in camphor or
something. She asked me to do II wav
last April
Just like a man." commented his
fancee, sagaciously.