Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1902-05-31
A Blue Umbrella.

f u uldIly IL Il cyclone naQ struck
the sharp featured man who sat
@ith 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 yeran-
da, and returning to the questioner's
side, he said:
Harry, what made you ask ME that
question"
The young man, upon whose Shout
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 IL you We're not
well, what you are said the Colonel,
as he moved away.
"Ah! Hold on, Colonel; do not leave
me in that-he's gone"
The other, paying no attention to
his words, went down the broad steps
and walked slowly away in the moon
light.
Il know what he means; he might
just as well have told me in so many
ds-spendthrift Hang it ALL l
know very well that | am careless
about finances and all that sort of
thing. If l had been forced to work
early I'd know the value of dollars ana
be a very different sort of chap now.
All, WE'LL Life is too short to fret
over mistakes gone and done for. Edith
Lisle is a-here she comes now"
Was it the tap-tap of tiny feet or the
frou-frou of snowy skirts that made
Harry Lancasters 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; merely came for a brief walk
up and down the veranda. Isn't it a
lovely evening"
There was a witchery in the tones of
that low, sweet voice. Harrys heart
pumped away more vigorously than
ever. If the yeranda 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 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 yeranda; they turn
ed to retrace their steps when Edith
said:
"Was not that freely? Over there
among the bushes to the left? See,
there it is again, and such a glowing
one, too! There, it has disappeared
opinion that Colonel Drake of the reg
ulars is smoking cigar out there
among the shadows" said Harry.
lis that charming old bear here 2"
she suddenly asked, allowing her hand
to slip from the others arm.
He came this afternoon"
And as | was not down to tea did
not meet him"
you seem to be acquainted with the
Colonel, Miss Isle"
Fairly, but really | ought not to
have spoken so shOckingly about fine
gentleman. He is quite engaging. but
/ detest that absurd idea abossE Els
strange umbrella" 4
Umbrella? What umbrel' slay +
ask" inquired Harry, puzzls asg
remark.
"Why, have you never heard aesj,1f
tbe Colonies umbrella?"
"Never."
Colonel Drake possesses a blue, old
fashioned umbrella which Is supposed
10 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?"