Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-11-07
UMBRELLA EPISODE.

! bring with 1t warm days, ana redsohapie
amount Of sunshine. That is what it had
done in the old home, and what it was still
expected TO do even in Chicago. But, some
how. the Chicago March did not agree IN the
| least with the March she had known scarce
/ w half a dozen years ago in her country
! home that unavoidable circumstances had
forced them to leave that they might seek
fortune again in a larger place. The Chr
caro March seemed scarcely distant cousin
of the country March, and she never had
| liked il, and now that she was compelled to
fight her way against the disturbing ele-
ments of a bad March day she dlshked 1t
even more than usual.
Il ought to have had sense enough to wear
my old gray jacket and that frightful walk
! ing hat when | saw how enchanting the ele.
ments were this morning, but ! just could
not help dressing up for Aunt Minerva
and Cousin Alice They think that just
! because we can't do as many things as we
used that we are poor Humphl Yes, YER
ily believe they consider themselves do
ing me an honor in asking me to lunch down
town with them whenever they are here.
we shall be in the city but day or two
and would like to see you before leaving
So that's all the time they can spare their
own relative Well, don't care, I'm sure.
Fhat was a good luncheon, anyway, and it
braoed me up for this long Afternoon OF shop
ping"
Marjory surveyed her numerous bundles.
"What would Aunt Minerva think if she
could see her niece endeavoring to battle
wind and rain, afoot, with all these pack
ages, too. ! simply had TO have them to-
night, though, and there was nothing for it
but to be my own delivery boy"
Marjory tried to smile, but she was really
painfully aware Of the bedraggled appear
anee she must present Loaded down with
bundles, it was all she could do to hold her
umbrella over her large hat and keep her
| skirt out ri the mud, which insisted upon
wrapping against her ankles in a most I'M
comfortable manner.
The wind was blowing more wildly every
moment, and Marjory rallied all her
strength to cross the Masonic temple cor
ner. Biff went the wind, and rip snapl
eide out and torn into ribbons.
What was she to do? She had on her best
dress and hat, and il they were ruined there
was no telling how others we're TO be OBJ
tanned The family exchequer, as Marjory
called their small income, was slim. She
was about to make for the entrance to the
| building and there consider the pros and
cons of her situation, when mans large
umbrella was thrust into her hand, appar-
emily from the wind itself. She looked up
! Just in time to see tall, well-dressed man
vanish around the corner. Marjory knew
at once that it was he who had put the
umbrella into her hand-how, she did not
know. OF course she couldn't let herself
take a strangers shelter in that way, so she
fastened after the retreating figure only to
find that he was nowhere in sight.
| II Marjory had any decided trait il was
that she was philosophical Her benefactor
was gone; there was no way Of getting him
back She was running her hat and making
spectacle of herself for the benefit of the
passers-by. So she hoisted the umbrella
and went on her way 10 the car, reaching
the fat in which she and her mother lived
without further adventure.
Mrs. McKants was much shocked at her
daughters escapade and wondered what
they could do about it. II would never do
|
was to find the owner Marjory had not
seen her beneiactor's facial she could re-
call was his back-and there was little
chance Of her ever meeting him again. On
examining the umbrella they found the in
itials -. w" engraved on the handle.
As her only expedient, Mrs McKants sug-
gested putting a notice in the newspapers:
''Fouud-An umbrella" etc, but Marjory
argued that the owner would never consider
his umbrella lost in that sense Mrs Me
Rants persuaded her to write a personal
but nothing came of it, and Marjory had to
put the umbrella away.
About a month later Marjory received q
note from her Aunt Minerva. She and
Cousin Alice were returning from the east
and would Marjory please lunch with then
at their hotel? They could only be in tn,
city one day, etc. Marjory knew that stereo
typed phrase by heart One sentence lent
novelty 10 the situation but as she scornet
the strong sex she had half mind not t
accept the invitation.
I'VE shall not be alone, as your Cousir
Frank writes that his college chum, JOIN
Wakem, is here, and he wishes to call on us
As our train leaves early in the afternoon
We must manage to visit him at the sam,
time. hope you will not stay away on thi
account"
IL was really a delightful little party, an,
Mariory was conscious Of enjoying hersel
hugely Why had she never before had suol
good time with her aunt and cousin
The friend was not at all in the way. II
told capital stories
John Wakem was the first to leave. A
he was going out Of the door Marjory locke,
at him with a start. She had not forgotten
the circumstances under which she had seei
. that back. the same overcoat and hat. No
. she could not be mistaken At last she wa
sure Of the owner 81 the umbrella. Sh
wanted ia hasten after him: but She coul
not make a scene before her aunt. She won
dered n he had recognized her. Yes. sh
was certain be had. She remembered one o
two queer looks he had given her. as if CON
! pairing her with some one. How mortife,
! she felt What predicamenti
/ II her aunt thought her somewhat al,
{ trait after her other guest left It was no
surprising. As soon as possible Marjor
: made her adieus and FASTENED home.
" Once 10 her own room she thought Il a
/ over. Mr.. Wakem must have his umbrella