Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-05-20
A Blue Umbrella.
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He shipped the ashes from his cigar.
paced to the farther end of the veran-
da, and returning to the questioners
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 a very COM
Portable household if you were not
well, what you are" said the Colonel,
as he moved away.
'Ah. Hold on, Colonel; do not leave
me in that-he's gOnew
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
words-spendthrift Hang it all!
know very well that / am careless
about finances and all that sort OF
thing. fc l had been forced to work
early I'd know the value of dollars and
be very different sort of chap now.
All, Welt Life is too short to fret
over mistakes gone and done for. Edith
Isle is a-here she comes now
Was it the tap-tap of tiny feet or the
frou-freu of snowy skirts that made
Harry Lancaster's heart throb tumul-
tuously? 1t was both-and the fact
that the woman be 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 yeranda. Isn't it a
lovely EVENING""
There was wltchery in the tones of
that low, sweet voice. Harry's heart
pumped away more vigorously than
ever. If the veranda roof hadn't been
eaye-fringed with ivy the moonlight
would have disclosed the hot flush that
mantled the young mans face.
1T is indeed a delightful evening IL
YOU viii not rest here for few mo-
ments viii you permit me to Offer you
my arm for the stroll?"
She laid her dainty hand upon his
gtrnl and the pair strolled slowly to the
IA -.her end Of the veranda; they turn
cd TO retrace their steps when Edita
said:
WAS not that freely? Over there
among the bushes to the left? See,
there It is again. and such glowing
one. too! There, it has disappeared"
ut 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.
rs that charming old bear hereT'
she suddenly asked. allowing her hand
10 slip from the others arm.
He came this afternoon"
And as l was not down to tea 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
censleman. 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
IN, Coloners umbrella:"
Never"
.-CnlsueI Drake possesses blue. old
fashioned umbrella which is supposed
to be very potent love charm or some
thing Ike that. Plainly. so it is told
when Ne invites a lady 20 share It's
shelter against the rain her heart il
won forthwith. Strange. is it notg"
Absurd, Have you ever"
NO. net Yet"
Il should not like you TO accept 1t;
shelter ever-though l do not believt
in such Stiffness softly said Harry.
II she understood his meaning sh,
was coy Of acknowledgment. for. lift
ing her hand TO his arm again, the pail
resumed the stroll just in time to NEE
the Colonel as he assembled 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:
heart sank when he looked from III,
window and saw the leaden cloud:
scurrying along the darSened sky.
"Raln And l was TO take her for :
drive, Well. l suppose l must max,
the best Of Il and while away the tim,
in the pariorS." muttered he. as he per
formed his toilet.
When he entered the dining sooan h
saw thar Miss Isles chair was va
cant. All. the s,oloness chair. too. wa.
vacant Over his coffee Harry mad
the resolve to rlak,, . Sreak befor
night. He would ask her for thu; dain
~ white hand He felt in his heart O
hearts that she did not dislike aim. OF
the contrary. as he recalled the pleas
ant past there was guore than mer
frsendllness in the depth OF her beauti
ful blue eyes last night as they strolle'
along the veranda.
After breakfast he went to the smok
ing room and seated himself near
window overlooking the white stretcl
OF sand. the curling waves. and III
1oam-capped pillows beyond.
All, 4 couple approached flom N
beach. The gentleman carried-a blu
umbrella. AS the pair drew near Hal
rvs heart beat wildes and wilder.
II was the Col0nel's Slue umbrella
Il was the CoolneL but-whe gas tn
l&dyi