Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1904-10-01
THE blue
PARASOL'S STORY


NoR cents, and took me to Il
modest little Hat, where
she lived with her mother.
she'd been my owner about three
months when l heard her tell her
mother one evening that the firm she
worked for was going to give her a
vacation of two weeks.
Where do You think you'll go, Myr-
tle?" asked her mother.
Il think III go up to see Uncle joe
mother" she said. "You know when
Cousin Sue was here last winter she
said | must come up If l could get
away for week."
And so two days later found myself
on the cars with Myrtle, and a few
hours ride brought us to little cOun.
try station. where we We're met by a
rosy-cheeked, black-eyed girl whom
Myrtle called cousin Sue" and who
kissed her most raptnrously.
You are looking pale, Myrtle" said
Sue after the first girlsh greetings
We're over. But Wen get those roses
back again. And say! I've got n
lovely beau for you. Two gentlemen
are staying at our house. One is u
newspaper man-and he's crank
smart enough but always saying sar-
castle things. But the other one is Just
too sweet for anything, and I know
you'll like him. Come on. here's the
buggy" and so. chattering like mag.
lad In t,N tlo
pony was hitched,- aud wA-AsASe-- 30
'iti' !,u'iic' on the outskirts of the little
town, great zig white farm home
with SHADE trees an around.
That afternoon it began to rain. 1t
cleared up some Just at dusk. and
Myrtle decided that she would run
down to the store two blocks away.
and get some writing paper. 1t still
looked showPry, and she took me with
her. telling Sue, who was doing up her
supper dishes, that she'd be right back,
and then they'd have a goofl long talk.
She got her paper and had started back
home when few drops of rain came
pattering down.
Luckily l brought my umbrella"
/ heard her say, as usual, as SHE
opened me. and Just then came hard
gust of wind and she dropped me down
in front of her as she scurried along.
Then came q collision that almost
smashed my ribs i'm.
Myrtle raised me in hurry to see
what she had run into, and her eyes
met those of a Young man who had
handkerchief up to his face where my
steel point had struck him.
Cant you see where you are going:"
he said angrily, and then as he caught
sight Of the pretty face beneath my
cover his whole manner changed.
II beg your pardon" he began.
81 beg yours" said Myrtle. did
hurt you:"
II thought you'd put my eye out at
first" he answered. But l guess it's
all right and nothing serious. did
not see who | was addressing when
l spoke. Thought had collded with
one of those country jays who never
look where they are going. trust
you will pardon me:'
But Myrtle had slipped past him
while he was talking, and ran till she
reached the gate and into the house.
She slept late the next morning and
the sun was shining brightly when she
arose. She heard Sues voice on the
front porch and stepped out. AS Myr-
tie came ont the door Sue turned from
where she was talking with two gen
tlemen. one of whom was standing
talking to her, the other sitting in a
big willow rocker In such a way that
his face was away from us.
mfr. Wilbur" said Sue. >"this Is my
little city cousin, Myrtle Warmer" Mr..
Wilbur bowed gracefully. At the same
time the other gentleman arose from
his seat and faced us, and | saw that
his right eye had bandage over 1t.
"And this is Mr.. ellison. Myrtle"
said Sue.
Il believe have met your little
cousin before--also her umbrella" said
Mr.. ellison, bowling
Myrtle was blushing like rose. 81
am sorry hurt you" she said, after q
little 1T was really very awkward
Of me not to look where l was going"
Possibly, yes" said Mr.. ellison. at
might have been serious. But | owe
you an apology for having spoken as
l did just the same. And now after
YOU have had your breakfast, Fred
and I are going to take you and Sue
for boat ride"
This was the beginning of Myrtle
acquaintance with John Gibson. He
wasn't what you could call handsome
even after he got the handage off his
eyes. I didn't like him. for he was
always making sarcastic remarks
about me. He and Myrtle were always
arguing about something. In fact, he
seemed to take q delight In differing
with her on every subject My little
mistress was very sweet-tempered
little girl but | knew she used to get
put out with him sometimes. Mr.. vii
bur was just the opposite. He was
handsome and very gallant, and he de