Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-04-26
UMBRELLA EPISODE.

"Whir-r-r! Marjory was sure that there
had never been such disagreeable weather in
March 1t was raining half sleet, and the
wind blew SO that she could scarcely walk.
Anyway, March was such provoking
month. 1t should by all rules of nature
bring with it warm days, and reasonable
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
ly half dozen years ago in her country
home that unavoidable circumstances had
forced them to leave that they might seek
fortune again in larger place. The Chi
cago March seemed scarcely distant cousin.
of the country March, and she never had
liked it, and now that she was compelled to
fight her way against the disturbing ele-
ments of bad March day she disliked it |
even more than usual.
81 ought to have had sense enough to wear
my old gray jacket and that frghtful 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. Humph! Yes, YER
lily believe they consider themselves do
ing ME an honor in asking me to lunch down
1 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.
That was a good luncheon, anyway, and it
braced me up for this long Afternoon of shop
ping
: Narjory 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 1T
but to be my own delivery boy"
Marjory tried to smile, but she was really
painfully aware of the bedraggled appear
ance 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 of the mud, which insisted upon
wrapping against her ankles in most un-
comfortable manner.
The wind was blowing more wildly every
moment, and Marjory rallied all her
strength to cross the Masonic temple cor
ner, Bff went the wind, and rip! snap!
and Marjory's umbrella was turned wrong
side out and torn into ribbons.
w nav was SHE tO 10! Sut udu Ou Hel DeSt
dress and hat and if they were ruined there
was no telling how others were 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 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 benefactol
: was gone; there was no way of getting him
back. She was running her hat and making
7 spectacle of herself for the benefit Of the
passers-by. So she hoisted the umbrella
! and went on her way to the car, reaching
7 the fiat in which she and her mother lived
: without further adventure.
Mrs. Mckants was much shocked at hel
daughters escapade and wondered what
they could do about it. 1t would never dc
|, not to return the umbrella. The question
e seen her benefactor's facial she could re
call was his back-and there was little
chance of her ever meeting him again. Or
= examining the umbrella they found the in
u itials u. W." engraved on the handle.
As her only expedient, Mrs. McKants sug
gested putting notice in the newspapers
J. 'Found-An umbrella" ETC., but Marion.
argued that the owner would never conside
: his umbrella lost in that sense. Mrs. Nc
y Rants persuaded her to write personal
l. but nothing came of it, and Marjory had t
u put the umbrella away.
3 About month later Marjory received
II note from her Aunt Minerva. She an
l. Cousin Alice were returning from the east
re and would Marjory please lunch with the1
$. at their hotel? They could only be in tn
city one day, etc. Marjory knew that steree
typed phrase by heart. One sentence len
novelty to the situation, but as she scorne
'e the strong sex she had half a mind not
$ accept the invitation.
tf I'VE shall not be alone, as your Cousi
aN Frank writes that his college chum, job
,e Wakem, is here, and he wishes to call on u
10 As our train leaves early in the Afternoon
we must manage to visit him at the san
time hope you will not stay away on tn
account.
IN IL was really QelBnC1ul uttle party, an
! Marjory was conscious of enjoying herse
: hugely. Why had she never before had sue
u good time with her aunt and cousir
. The friend was not at all in the way. I
told capital stories.
John Walem was the first to leave. /
he was going out of the door Marjory locke
g at him with start. She had not forgotte
an the circumstances under which she had Sc,
that back, the same overcoat and hat. N
" she could not be mistaken. AT last she w
+. sure of the owner of the umbrella. 81
"a wanted to hasten after him; but she cou
III not make a scene before her aunt She wo
" dered if he had recognized her. Yes, 81
de Was certain he had. She remembered one
Two queer looks he had given her, as if col
y pairing her with some one. How NORTH
IN she felt What predicament!
o. If her aunt thought her somewhat
trait after her other guest left it was n
n, surprising. As soon as possible Mario
90 made her adieus and FASTENED home.
Iii Once in her own room she thought it
"'i over. Mr. Wakem must have his umbrell
but was ever anything so embarrassin
Finally she decided her only possible coul
,,y was to write him note asking him to C
re- for his umbrella.
nv He did call on Marjory, and although til
10 call was the end of the umbrella episo
~ it was by no means the end of the history
~ the people concerned therein. Mr.. Walk
X found it convenient to call many times aft
= wards and before the March storms ca