The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1902-05-24
AT THE POINT OF THE UMBRELLA.
BY Helen NJ. Palmer.

IL This was the second stop the trair
had made since leaving Trieste anj
no one had got into the carriage; Bea
trix congratulated herself that Uncle
/, Georges fee to the guard had worked
30 well, and opened another roll OF
a6xwls and rugs in pursuit. of a miss
ing novel.
Suddenly an uproar Of tongues
arose on the platform; the door was
..jerked open and st|,ut woman STUN
ibled through it, followed by another
Juggling a big BASKET; behind came a
drove Of children. all screaming, pusl.
yng, and smear,ed, as to mouth and
"1sers. with Some sticky black com.
posnd which they were devouring
srsedily.
Beatr CAV e one glance of horror
and beg an teJ gather up her scattered
belongings.
You NJ ust find me a place." she
said tc, tf .e guard. You were paid for
this f:aT rage"
cAnnot help it," he muttered; at
q ':arriags for ladies alone; benolJ,
hAs are ladies alone-the train is
I9.ng, there is no time"
For answer Beatrix cast her rugs
rand bags upon him, and snatching up
Il her umbrella, books and dressing case,
4 made her way through the scramb-
tllinE children, who were fighting for
;.lplaces at'the windows. and dashed out
s,apon 1Ee platform. The whistle was
Esoupding; evidently there was no time
ssts lose; the guard opened the near
0se door, threw in the bags, and gave
slBeatrix an impulse that propelled ner
ftta9 entire length of the carriage. An
1e1er jolt and the train was of.
4 Beatrfx was aware that she was be-
Ing steadied upon her feet by strong
;afm, the arm of the man whom she
Nd caught a glimpse of sitting at
ttbe further window and upon whom
uhe and ner traps had descended af-
44 the manner of a whirlwini. Stam-
eEing Mile pardons, monsieur!"
- sank upon the opposite seat and
#ondeavored to regain her comn6sure,
- natural color and the dignity
sNn1sh bedtted young lady travel
- alone. There were three other
ypcns IN the carriage; two slsepy
eq1ng women. past whom she had
et without apparently doing taem
~ danAge; and the gentlemlu oppo.
- who was now reading, holding
Ahfgs book quite close to his face.
" This gave her chance to examine
~, He was TALL: not too young
oatrix was nineteen and distinctly
1ce" looking. she decided. His
ny tweed clothes looked English;
sallet escaalrlet iez ne V~ore by way of a
q sdieested the EAST. His luggage?
there was t le bag of golf sticks
a the folding bath-tub-ne must be
lnglish.
eatrtx ha'x just reached this con-
lon wnf A the book was dropped
y ne st ranger said in very agree
ss-oie
- q ~ your pardon, it is-er-very
"a here, don't you think? Per-
Jou would like to have your win.
~ Saised."
eafrtx assented with thanks, think
- the would like to ask him how
r. mew that English was her native
ague. She stole a glance at his
-; Il was a delightful face, with a
I've, kind smile that showed very
Unate teeth, and a nose that might
I've been supercilious but for a lit
- Irregular ripple in the middle of
But what pity that one of his
i - was injured! It was closed and
3 a4eEd dropped. She wondered If
H. Nefe In the army and had lost an
NGr-Derhaps under "Bebs."
sosently she began to collect her
cosings. scattered by her violent
rance; and again her vis-a-vis |
. to her aid SO naturally and sim
mat 1t would have been impossi- |
sor the greatest stickler for the
oprieties to take offense. Before.
various parcels were recaptured |
reduced to order, they had |
eed heartily over her misa iven-
eres your umbrella" he said.
it up from the floor, where it I
ZEE. Its not . bad weapon
% ~ chasge!r said she. 'T'm so
we'll you Americans are 50
tuous don't you know? One ex-
80 little things like that"
xou Americana How iid you
that 4 am An American? IL
\ 9ht I spoke beautiful English"
WY, 20 you do, assure you. but
ere y something-I can't exactly
49, nat but you have a quick little
3lfA you. and you look different
most English girls I know-and
ycu must be tired Of hearing
Il -