Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-05-08

and the wind blew SO that she could
scarcely walk.
Marjory surveyed her numerous bur-
dies.
What would Aunt Minerva think If
she could see her niece endeavoring to
battle wind and rain, afoot, with all
these packages too? 1 simply had to
have them tonight, though. and there
was nothing for it but TO be my own
delivery boy"
AIarjory tried TO smile, but she was
really painfully aware of the bedrag-
gled appearance she must present.
The wind was blowing more wildly
every moment, ana AIarjory rallied all
her strength 10 cross the Masonic tenn
pie corner. Biff went the wind. and
rip. snap. and Marjory's umbrella was
turned wrong side out and torn into
| ribbons.
| What was she TO do? She had on her
| best dress and hat, and If they were
ruined there was no telling how others
| were to he obtained. The family eX-
chequer, as Marjory called their small
income, was slim. She was about to
L uldkG LOT Tie 10 lnt
and there consider the pros and cons of
her situation when a mans large UNI
brella was thrust into her hand. appar-
/ emily from the wind itself. She looked
up just in time to see n tall, well dress
ed man vanish around the corner. Mar
| jory 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 n strangers
shelter in that way, so she FASTENED
after the retreating figure only to find
| that he was nowhere in sight.
If Marjory had any decided trait, it
was that she was philosophical. Her
| benefactor was gone. There was no
way of getting him back. She was
| running her hat and making n spectacle
of herself for the benefit of the passers-
| by. So she hoisted the umbrella and
| went on her way to the car, reaching
the fiat 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. 1t would
| never do not to return the umbrella.
The question was to find the owner.
| NIarjory had not seen her benefactor's
back, and there was little chance of her
ever meeting him again. on examin-
ing the umbrella they found the initials
j. w" engraved on the handle.
As her only expedient. Mrs. McKants
suggested putting notice in the news
papers-"Found.-An umbrella" etc
but Marjory argued that the owner
would never consider his umbrella lost
I in, tI,nf FOL me- Il
| ed her to write personal. but nothing
came OF it, and Marjory had to put the
| umbrella away.
About n month later Marjory received
note from her Aunt Minerva. She
and Cousin Alice were returning from
| the east, and would AIarjory please
lunch with them mt their hotel? They
/ could only be in the city one day, etc.
Marjory knew that stereotyped phrase
by heart. One sentence lent novelty to
the situation, but as she scorned the
strong sex she had half a mind not to
accept the invitation.
I'VE shall not be alone. as your COus-
in Frank writes that his college chum,
John 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 same time. l hope you
will not stay away on this account"
So they We're afraid one of their fine
friends would nonplus her. She would
go at all hazards.
1t vas really delightful little party,
and Marjory was conscious of enjoying
herself hugely. Why had she never
before had such a good time with her
+aunt and cousin? The friend was not
at all in the way. He told capital sto-
ries-
John Wakem was the first TO leave.
As he was going out of the door Mar
jOry looked at him with a start. She
had not forgotten the circumstances
under which she had seen that back,
the same overcoat and hat. No; she
could not be mistaken. At last she
was sure of the owner of the umbrella.
She wanted to hasten after him. But
she could not make a scene before her
aunt. She wondered II he had recog-
nized her. Yes; she was certain he
had. She remembered one or two
queer looks he had given her, as if
comparing her with some one. How
mortified she felt! What a predica-
ment.
If her aunt thought her somewhat
distract after her other guest left it
was not surprising. AS soon as posi-
BILE Marjory made her adieus and has
tened home.
Once in her own room she thought it
all over. Mr.. Wakem must have his
umbrella. But was ever anything so
embarrassing? Finally she decided |
her only possible course was to write |
him a note asking him to call for his |
umbrella.
He did call on Marjory. and. although /,
that call was the end of the umbrella |
episode. it was by no means the end |
of the history of the people concerned |
therein. Mr.. Wakem found IT conven- |
lent to call many times afterward. and