Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-05-16
A Blue Umbrella.

Nmarry?" If cyclone had struck
the sharp featured man who sat
with his feet elevated upon the iron
railing of the veranda it could not have
caused him to start up more quickly.
He shipped the ashes from his cigar.
paced to the farther end of the veran-
da, and returning to the quesrioner's
side. he said:
Harry. what made you ask me that
question:
The young man, upon whose Shoul-
der the others hand rested lightly. lift
ed his eyes. Evidently the Colonel was
deeply moved.
why. all men marry; that is. men
of means or-anyhow. they should
marry"
But you have not married"
And for a good reason; / am not
able"
But you could support very COM
Portable household If you were not
WE'LL what you are" said the Colonel.
as he moved away.
"Ah! Hold on, Colonel; do not leave
me In that-hes gomez
The other, paying no attention to
his words, went down the broad steps
and walked slowly away in the moon
light.
81 know what he means; he might
just as we'll have told me in 80 many
words-spendthrift! Hang it all! l
know very well that am careless
about finances and all that sort of
ho6 fnrond fo xx0Tly
early I'd know the value of dollars and
be a very different sort Of chap now.
Ah, well! Life Is too short to fret
over mistakes gone and done for. Edith
Lisle Is a-here she comes now"
Was 1t the tap-tap Of tiny feet or the
frou-frou Of snowy skirts that made
Harry Lancaster's heart throb tumul-
tuously? 1t was both-and the fact
that the woman he loved more than
all others was nearing him. Rising. he
tossed his cigar away, lifted his hat,
and offered the charming creature in
white a chair.
DO not disturb yourself, Mr.. Ian
caster; l merely came for brief walk
uD and down the veranda. Isn't it
lovely EVENING""
There was witchery In the tones of
that low, sweet voice. Harry's heart
pumped away more vigorously than
ever If the veranda roof hadn't been
eave-fringed with ivy the moonlight
would have disclosed the hot flush that
mantled the young mans face.
1T is indeed a delightful evening. If
you will not rest here for a few mo-
ments will you permit me to offer you
my arm for the stroll?"
She laid her dainty hand upon his
arm and the pair strolled slowly to the
farther end of the veranda; they turn
ed to retrace their steps when Edith
said:
WAS not that a freely? Over there
among the bushes to the left? See,
there 1t Is again, and such a glowing
one, too! There. 1t has disappeared"
1t may be a FREELY, but 1t Is my
opinion that Colonel Drake of the reg
ulars Is smoking cigar out there
among the shadows" said Harry.
is that charming old bear here?"
she suddenly asked allowing her hand
to slip from the others arm.
He came this afternoon"
And as l was not down to tea l did
not meet him."
You seem to be acquainted with the
Colonel, Miss Lisle."
Fairly. but really l ought not to
have spoken so shockingly about fine
gentleman. He is quite engaging, but
| detest that absurd idea about his
strange umbrella"
"Umbrella? What umbrella, may
ask?" inquired Harry. puzzled at her
remark.
why. have you never heard about
the Coloners umbrella?"
Never"
Colonel Drake possesses a blue old
fashioned umbrella which is supposed
to be very potent love charm or some
thing like that. Plainly. so 1t is told,
when he invites a lady to share its
shelter against the rain her heart is
won forthwith. Strange. is it not?''
Absurd! Have you ever"
mo. not yet"
81 should not like you to accept its
shelter ever-though l do not believe
in such Stiffness" softly said Harry.
II she understood his meaning she
was coy Of acknowledgment, for, lift
ing her hand to his arm again, the pair
resumed the stroll just IN time to meet
the Colonel as he ascended the steps.
The Colonel lifted his hat and passed
indoors, while Harry and Edith stroll
ed and chatted the hours away.
The next morning Harry Lancaster's
heart sank when he looked from the
window and saw the leaden clouds
scurrying along the darkened sky.
Rain! And l was to take her for a
drive! Well. l suppose l must make
the best of it and while away the time
In the parlors," muttered he, as he per-
formed his toilet.
When he entered the dining room he
saw that Miss Lisle's chair was va
cant. All! the Colonel's chair. too. was
vacant. Over his coffee Harry made
the resolve to make a break before
night. He would ask her for that dain-
ty white hand. He felt In his heart OF
hearts that she did not dislike him. On