The Virginia enterprise., 1902-05-09
A Blue Umbrella.

~ OLONEL, why did you never
II; marry?" If a 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 questioner's 8
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"
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 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 we'll have told me In so many
words ds-spendthrift! Hang it all! I
know, very we'll that l am careless
about finances and all that sort Of
thing. If had been forced to work
early I'd know the value of dollars ana
be very different sort of chap now.
All, well! 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 Lancaster's heart throb tumul-
tuOusly? It 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
WnlCe q cnalr.
DO not disturb yourself, Mr. Lam
caster; merely came for brief walk
up and down the veranda. Isn't it a
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
eaye-fringed with ivy the moonlight
would have disclosed the hot flush that
mantled the young mars face.
at 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
cd 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"
1T may be a FREELY, but it Is my
opinion that Colonel Drake of the reg
ulars is smoking cigar out there
among the shadows" said Harry.
els that charming old bear here?''
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 Lisle."
"Fairly. but really I ought not to
have spoken so shockingly about u fine
gentleman. He is quite engaging, but
l detest that absurd idea about his
strange umbrella"
"Umbrella? What umbrella. NAV !;
ask?" inquired Harry, puzzled at her
remark.
"Why, have you never heard. abou,
the Colonel's umbrella?"
Never"
w"Colonel q Drake possesses a blue, old
fashioned umbrella which is supposed
to be a very potent love charm or some,
thing like that. Plainly, so it is told
when he invites lady to share its
shelter against the rain her heart il
won forthwith. Strange, is it not?''
absurd! Have you ever
mo, not yet"
II should not like you to accept Its
shelter ever-though I do not believe
in such Stiffness" softly said Harry.
If 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 meet
the Colonel as he ascended Il steps
The Colonel lifted his hat and\passed
indoors, while Harry and Edith Ntroll
ed and chatted the hours away.
The next morning Harry Laneast4 Il
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