Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1904-07-09
Lucky Rain Drops

feeling spruce and merry. They sailed
out again. however, with undignificd
haste when sudden downpour Of rain
came from nowhere In particuiar--fOr
no one had noticed any clouds--trans-
forming most of them into mere mass.
20 Of drenched misery In less than
three minutes.
Lily, her head bent forward against
the wind, and with both hands holding
her wind-driven skirts, started to run
toward Grant monument. Not many
yards had she gone when she colliled
with Clayton. who was scurrying to-
ward the park corner.
II beg your pardon" said he.
Idly stood still. her back to the wind
and her wavy golden hair blowing
prettily over her shoulders and fran.
ing her flushed face.
"You" she exclaimed.
Now he was standing still. too. They
stared confusedly ut each other. neither
knowing what to say.
II thought" he ventured ut last.
that I had nearly killed somebody.
I sincerely hope But, there, I'm
forgetting the rain and you've no um.
brella. Iii. there--you with the tent!
I'll give you five dollars for IT.!
This to a ragged old man who. new
ertheless. seemed to be comparatively
happy, having q misshapen but invit-
Ing umbrella.
"Donev said the old fellow, Jumping
eagerly ut the bargain. 1T amt much
Of q beauty for promenading. sir. and
mebbe 1t ain't worth 80 much. but
ut Is to me-" said Clayton Here's
the money. Now" turning once more
10 Lily. "let's find more sheltered
place"
BeMeath the ugly umbrella the young
couple hurried along toward a huge
tree that seemed to offer some protcc-
ton from wind and rain.
, How strange" remarked Clayton.
rthat We should suddenly ind our.
selves journeying along together again
bnce more. Just AZ we used to do. as
though we had never quarreled! At
this moment can scarcely realize that
oil n over"
ut isn't" snapped the girl cmphat-
Icaliy, II mean, the rain isn't over
ret. But II will soon he. and--and you
really needn't have bothered about IN
umbrella"
"well, you needn't stand % far away.
" you do hate me-"
He took her arm and pulled her. ever
20 gently. toward him.
She noticed. a. she leaned nearer,
that his heart was pounding violently.
bnt hoped he was not - observant Of
the nuttering Of her own.
II suppose Wilfred Gray would be-
grudge me these few moments with
sou II no knew"
LET us talk about something imper-
sonai," said she. "rhe rain, for In,
stance"
Don't you ind that sufficiently
dampening subject alreadyY'
"Well, then--um--er-Oh. yes! Have
you seen Miss Gertie Terry lately"
II have, very lately. ! tell you.
like Gertie Terry tremendously"
II know you do. It's an old at
tachment."
She made a proud but unsuccessful
attempt to free her arm from hlG
"Why shouldn't I like herr" he con
tinued. I'm to be the best man ut hel
wedding next month. She marries my
friend Bentley"
Lily unconsciously breathed a sigh
of relief.
"Aren't you happy, alone here with
me, Lily" he queried. with sudden and
uncomfortable tenderness.
Goodness! There's q perfect stream
running down this slope. My skirt Il
all dragslyw
"What q thoushtless fool I amr' HI
exclaimed. Here. step up ON thi'
bench"
He helped her upon the bench, and
took his place beside her. and boti
laughed again like children.
~ wouldn't part with this unbrell,
now for a million. Why. where OF
earth is your engagement ring, Lly?'
"What has that to do with the UNI
brella?"
ANSWER me. You must. What ha'
become of your rng?"
I'm sure l don't know what he di,
with 1t. after sent 1t back to him."
"Then you're not You're free?
Silence.
LILLY, guess what I'm going to do
Don't you dare. Remember, yo
said when we parted you would neve
forgive me for flirting with Wilfret
That's why ! grew reckless and OF
gagged myself to him. That's why
"Hang Wilfred! I'm about to kis
the tip Of the prettiest ear In Chicago!
''It You do I'll never forgive 20,
Besides, they can see US plainly frol
the boulevard"
II don't care II the whole world
A nOndescript. woebegone woman
with sodden hat, Its limp black featl
ers trailing mournfully across he
cheek, suddenly made her appearance
in front Of the bench ana paused shi,
eringly, 40 II anxious to remain in tn
company of two beings 70 warm an
happy looking in the midst of all tn
'bleakness.
I'm a stranger here. Won't yo
please tell me the way out Of th
parkT
Certainly. madam; 60 that way.
replied Clayton, pointing anywhere.