Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-06-19

A BLUE UMBRELLA.
~ q. 4 KELLRA

sAS VSAAAA&t ~ SOuA0 AVN ao'S SNaS~o
him to start up more quickly. He
shipped the ashes from his cigar,
paced to the father end of the YER
anda, and returning to the question
er's side, be said,-
Harry, what made you ask me that
question:"
The young man, upon whose shout.
der the others hand rested lightly,
lifted bis eyes. Evidently the colonel
was deeply moved.
why, all men marry; that Is, men
Of means 0r-anyhow they should
marry"
But you are not married"
And for q good reason; ! am not
able"
But you could support Z very com.
Portable household II you were not
well, what you are," said the colonel,
a. he moved away.
"Ah! Hold on, colonel do not leave
me In that-he's gomez
The other, paying no attention to
bis words, went down the broad steps
and walked away Into the moonlight.
II know what he means; he might
Just as well told me In so many words
-spendthrlft! Hang It all! know
very well that l am careless about
finances and all that sort Of thing II
| had been forced to work early I'd
know the value of dollars, and be q
very different sort Of chap now. All,
we'll! Life Is too short to fret over
mistakes gone and done for. Edith
, Lisle ID 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
tumultuously7 1t was both-and the
fact that the woman be loved more
than all others was nearing him. Ris.
Ing, he tossed bis cigar away, lifted
bis hat and offered the charming crea-
ture In white Z chair.
do not disturb yourself. Mr.. Ian
caster; I merely came for brief walk
up and down the veranda Isn't 1t 4
lovely EVENING""
1T is indeed q delightful evening.
II you will not rest here for a few mo-
ments, will you permit me to offer
ysu 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
turned to retrace their steps when
Edith said
WAS not that q Arsny9 Over there
among the bushes to the Left See,
there 1t is again, and such a glowing
enc, too! There, 1t has disappeared"
1T may be freely, but 1t is my
opinion that Colonel Drake Of the
Regulars is smoking a cigar out there
among the shadows" SAID Harry.
rs that charming old bear here?"
che suddenly asked, allowing her
hand to slip from the others arm.
HE came this afternoon"
"And as l was not down to tea I
did not meet him."
you seem to be acquainted with
the colonel, Miss Lisle."
Fairly; but really ought not to
have spoken so shocklngly about
very fine gentleman. He Is quite en-.
gaging-but detest that absurd idea
about bis strange umbrella"
Umbrella? What umbrella, may
askl" inquired Harry, puzzled at her
remark.
"Why, have you never heard about
the coloners umbrellaT"
Never"
Colonel Drake possesses a blue, old.
fashioned umbrella which is supposed
to be a very potent love-charm, Oh
something like that. Plainly so 1t ia
told, when he invites lady to share
Its shelter against the rain, her heart
ID won forthwith. Strange, is 1t mott"
absurd! Have you ever"
mo, not yet"
II should not like you to accept Its
shelter ever-though l do not believe
In such Stiffness softly said Harry.
II she understood bis meaning she
was coy acknowledgment, for, lift
Ing her hand to his arm again, the
pair resumed the stroll.
The next morning Harry Lancaster's
heart sark when he looked from the
window and saw the leaden clouds
scurrying along the darkened sky.
When be entered the dining room be
saw that Miss Lisle's chair was va
cant. All. the colonel's chair, too, was
vacant! Over bis coffee Harry made
the resolve to make break before
night. He would ask her for that
dainty white hand.
After breakfasting he went to the
smoking.room and seated himself near
a window overlooking the white
stretch Of sand, the curling waves and
the foam-capped pillows beyond.
All! A couple approached from the
beach. The gentleman carried-a
blue umbrella.
1t was the colonels blue umbrella;
Il was the colonel, but-whe was the
lady?
Miss Lisle. by Heavens! Pshaw!
I'm fool to think there, Is anything