El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-01-17
A Romance OF One UNI
brelIa For Two People.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
"If didn't look as If We're trying to
gain some benefit from your umbrella, :"
he remarked as he CHANGED to meet her
on the church steps after the service,
81 would ask to walk home with you.
1 didn't expect rain when left home,
50 1 am unprepared-'
However" came her clear reply,
Just arch enough to be frank, eff 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 81
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
chung to his arm. 1t was a pretty
picture of that open freedom which so
undeniably marks a congenial man and
wife, whose companionship has rip
ened into frank trust.
AS they passed, Robert Cartwright
said, half thoughtlessly, perhaps:
''They 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 arm?''
But they are plainly not such-such
strangers as we," she returned, con-
scious that both were treading on dan
gerous ground.
"Are we strangers Y' he asked quick
ly, turning his eyes searchingly to her.
The pretty face grew a trif1e pale
against its light brown hair. A 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 gazed
fxedly at her till a hot flush flew up
from her collar and swept under the
velvet strings Of her dainty brown
bonnet.
"AlwaysY he asked simply.
Eyes. 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
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 in
slant under that dripping umbrella.
Eight years went by and found Ga |
brielle Vaughne alone in the world, |
with necessity for keeping up a life |
In 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 a memory.
And some of our dearest memories are
the cruelest parts of our lives. When
finally she stood before a 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 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, a thousand times no! Hadn't she
cried out night after night since that
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 to realities. She was
poor. Would she permit herself to
hang a milestone about his neck?
Would she hold him always in the
depths of poverty by being his wife
md 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
light. His wife was beautiful woman,
and her wealth had opened boundIess
to him. He had risen
yhe had known that he would. But
now that she scarcely was able to
know herself she would venture into
MS world and see for herself how
happy and prosperous he was
So, having spent all but her last
'oyereign for her ticket, she stepped
nto Langinham one spring evening.
Iteeling her heart to what might fol
ow. The next evening she had walk
ID past his great house and was start
ng back when a sudden shower burst
upon her She gathered
Up her skirts in that particular way sc
of a dainty woman and
vas hurrying along when all at once
the was conscious of a sharp, childish
Try at her side. Turning she beheld
| tall, sad faced man trying to quiet
/ fretful baby of about years, which
held out it's dimpled hands to her and
.ried, Mamma, mamma!'
The gentleman strove to quiet IT
Ind Gabrielle started on. But SHARP
ind piercing came the cry Of MAN