The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-02-01

white steps to the massive entrance. 1t
almost looks like bid for business. but
I'm scarcely in a position to be fastidi-
ous''
He sent in his card and was ut once
ushered into the drawing room. 1t was
large apartment. but dimly lighted.
Two ladies We're sitting at the lower end
of the room. One was the lady of his
adventure; the other he did not recog-
nize.
The stout lady came forward and gave
him her hand.
''Sit down" she said "I'm glad to see
you. Lawyer Barlow tells me you won
that case on a technicality.'
Il assure you, madam" said Rupert
with much solcmnity. that | pockc.ed
my $40 without a qualm of conscicn g
couldn't have done that. you know. if |
had obtained it by triclery or fraud"
"Herhaps not said the stout lady
dryly. My impression has been that
lawyers rarely suffered from qualms #
conscience by the way, | suppose you
have called for your umhrea?"
AT your own suggestion. madam"
''Rut the umbrella isn't yours"
''Not minc?'
"Ncver was yours"
Rupert rallied.
Have | ever claimed it. madame" he
exclaimed, with great dignity.
but it was in your possession"
"And now is in yours"
Smother tcchuicality." cried the stout
lady. You would brand me us a re-
ccivcr, ch? But the charge falls Hat.
The umbrella is mine"
81 bought it. sir. 1t was borrowed and
never returned. Now clear your skirts
if you can. Where did you get it,"
Rupert hesitatcd.
Il will tell YOU" he answered at
may throw light on another matter of
deep concern to me. That umbrella came
from the yolng woman whom hoped to
make my wife. When parted from her
at the door of the friend she was visiting,
she made me take the umbrella because
it was slightly raining. | am quite sure
never opened it, and | believe | walked
back to my hotel with my hat off Low
ers are foolish, madam
YES. and sometimes cowardy. Go
on"
81 found a telegram awaiting me. NV
father was very ILL., | hurried home.
lie died that night. His affairs were in
desperate condition. When all was
NJ ,a''a ,'I''' -! Itt,r'''S TX
fight the battle of life alone felt that
| could no longer dream of asking the
younr woman to ho INV VITA pno. 49, 7
was if wonld have Lonn modnos.
heard Of her occasionollv borc .'nd tbora
in the cav society of which sbo y,os tIo
pridc. ana thnn 7 .,v. hor n,rn, 80,
more, Somebody said sbc vos oLr,,I
That's tho storv of th. nn,J,r,ria ,,,,1n ',,,
Sounds wonfnilv rnrooi t,,t ~. ,,'';.'i
true. | meant TO return il somn tinr
and it's quite load off nv mind to know
that II has reached tho real owncr Ana
now. madam. it may be that Won can tolI
me something concerning the lady tn
whom have alluded, wonId he very
glad to know that She is we'll and happy -
"Still interested in her. are YOU" que
ricd the stout lady.
Eyes. madam"
Notwithstanding your cowarlly con-
duct, ch?"
MADAM. | thought did for the hest ="
"What she miaht have thought. Of
course. didn't enter your selfish pro
your pretty romancc?"
Il have but one. madam. the umbrrl-
L."
"Thcrc's no tochnicalty TO save Won
this time. young man." said tho stout
lady %rimly. I'm going to sift your sto-
ry to the very bottom" She turned from
him and looked toward the lower end of
the long and dimIy lighted room
Come here. my dear" she called.
A figure arose and slowly came for
ward.
Eyes. auntic."
Rupert stood up. His knees trcmblod
"My dear, look this young man in the
face and tell me- if il is true that Won
ever loaned him the umbrella of your
auntic."
"Ela-NIiss Graham stammercd Ru-
pert.
The girl mt ont both hands
"Runcrt" she mnrmnrrd
"IIoi.htv toirbtv," criod tho stort lady
r. ~. 49, ~, ~ "''"N w
bnth Of Won =" Shn sbaai, Lon ANN L"' -
fnrnr n pnnort "Y,,,n,, ,,on y sLo II
o,nnlv coil ..vor ro,lI,. ,Ian't t.,
tbis yon,vo no idoo bn,,. ,n,,,b tra,,t,Io
and opviotv vou bovo co,,.od ne y
"pInoso Jon,t omrtio y ,.r;od tho I1,,.h
inc girl
"WrIl want" coil ,Lo s+or, ,o,..
"I'u chongo tho s,hiont So ha.o ~.
You arc to ronort to I.owver RarIn,, a.