The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-01-09
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
IN TIE RAIN. y
A Romance Of One Um-
brelia For Two People.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
IF didn't look as if were 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.
,idn't expect rain when l left home,
SO l am unprepared."
However" came her clea. reply,
just arch enough to be frank, "ff 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 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 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 roo1a as possible. Even If
it be noon. won't you take my arm p
"But they are plainly not such-such
strangers as we," she returned, con-
scious that both were treading on dan
gerous ground.
"Are we strangersY he asked quick
ly, turning his eyes searchingly to her.
The pretty face grew trifle pale
against it's light brown hair. A lump
| seemed to climb to her throat, but she
| returned bravely, "Yes-that is, well
always be strangers compared with
| them"
He stopped for an instant and gazed
| fixedly at her till hot flush flew uI
from her collar and swept under the
velvet strings of her dainty brown
bonnet
"AlwaysT he asked simply.
Eyes. Why, can't you see that they
are married"
| She tried to laugh 1t away, but i
| would have been difficult to tell which
pair of lips quivered the more ol
| 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
slant under that dripping umbrella.
Eight years went by and found Ga
brielle Vaughne alone In the world
with necessity for keeping up lif'
in which all interest and all energ!
| were dead. She had at last arisen from
a tedious illness, and the nurse her
self hardly recognized the tall, pale
sad faced woman with the short, darl
curls, as the bright eyed, light hairet
girl of six months before.
i Gabrielle had one thing dear to her
and only one, and that was a memory
And some of our dearest memories ar
the cruelest parts of our lives. Whel
finally she stood before a mirror an,
realized that that changed creature wa
herself, a mighty resolve filed her
she would go to the source Of tina
memory.
She knew where he was; she kney
that he had married three years afte
that bitter morning in the rain and ha
married a wealthy wife. That wa
the reason that she had thrust hiI
back from her long ago. just becaus
Of his poverty. Not that it would pal
her, a thousand times no! Hadn't sh
cried out night after night since tha
starvation with him would be onl
bliss?
But she had known his ambition
and his capabilities; knew his dream
Of success. and she realized his abilit
to turn the dreams to realities. She wa
poor. Would she permit herself
hang a milestone about his neck
Would she hold him always in I'll
depths Of poverty by being his wit
: and the mother of his needy children
No: she would hurt his heart befol
she would ruin his life.
Time had proved that she had bee
right. His wife was beautiful woma
:. and her wealth had opened boundle
opportunities to him. He had risen
she had known that he would. b
now that she scarcely was able
know herself she would venture in
his world and see for herself no
,, happy and prosperous he was.
So. having spent all but her la
sovereign for her ticket. she stepp,
into Langinham one spring evenin
! steeling her heart to what might fl
= low. The next evening she had wal
ed past his great house and was stal
:, ing back when a sudden shower bur
unexpectedly upon her. She gather
up her skirts in that particular way
characteristic of a dainty woman al
was hurrying along when all at on
4 she was conscious of a sharp. childi
n cry at her side. Turning. she behe
y a tall, sad faced man trying to qui
fretful baby Of about years. whi
!. held out it's dimpled hands to her Al
r cried. mamma. mamma!
II The gentleman strove to quiet
and Gabrielle started on. But sha
and piercing came the cry Of MAJ