The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-07-14
Lucky Rain Drops

E2 y the weather had been fine for
A\ quite half an hour people hat
donned their light spring cloth
ing and had sailed forth into the park
feeling spruce and merry. They SAILED
out again, however, with undignifet
haste when a sudden downpour of ralr
came from nowhere in particular--fol
no one had noticed any clouds-trans
forming most of them into mere mass
es Of drenched misery In less than
three minutes.
Lily, her head bent forward against
the wind, and with both hands holding
her wind-drlven skirts, started to run
toward Grant monument. Not many
yards had she gone when she collided
with Clayton, who was scurrying to-
ward the park corner.
II beg your pardon" said he.
Lily stood still, her back to the wind
and her wavy golden hair blowing
prettlly over her shoulders and fran
Ing her flushed face.
Your she exclaimed.
Now he was standing still, too. They
stared confusedly at each other, neither
knowing what to say.
II thought" he ventured at last,
"that had nearly killed somebody.
l sincerely hope But there, I'm
forgetting the rain and you've no um'
brella. HI, there-you with the tent!
I'll give you five dollars for It'll"
This to a ragged old man who, new
ertheless, seemed to be comparatively
happy, having mlsshapen but invit-
ing umbrella.
"Done!' said the old fellow, Jumping
eagerly at the bargain. ut amt much
of a beauty for promenading, sir, and
mebbe 1t amt worth so much, but"
ut is to me-" said Clayton. Here's
the money. Now" turning once more
to Lily, "let's find a more sheltered
place."
Beneath the ugly umbrella the young
couple hurried along toward huge
tree that seemed to offer some protec-
ton from wind and rain.
"How strange" remarked Clayton,
that we should suddenly find our
selves journeying along together again
once more, just as we used to do, as
though we had never quarreled! At
this moment | can scarcely realize that
all is over"
1T isn't" snapped the girl emphat-
ically, II mean, the rain isn't over
yet. But 1t will soon be, and-and you
really needn't have bothered about an
umbrella"
"Well, you needn't stand so far away.
II you do hate me-"
He took her arm and pulled her, ever
so gently, toward him.
She noticed, as she leaned nearer,
that his heart was pounding violently,
but hoped he was not as observant of
the futterlng Of her own.
~ suppose Wilfred Gray would be-
grudge me these few moments with
you If he knew"
LET us talk about something imper-
sonal," said she, "The rain. for In
stance"
Don't you find that a sufficiently
dampening subject already2"
"Well, then-um--er-Oh, yes! Have
you seen Miss Gertie Terry lately"
II have, very lately. | tell you,
like Gertie Terry tremendously"
~ know you do. It's an old at
tachment."
She made a proud but unsuccessful
attempt to free her arm from his
"Why shouldn't like herr he con-
tinued. "Tm to be the best man at her
wedding next month. She marries my
friend Bentley"
Lily unconsclously breathed a sigh |
Of relief.
Aren't you happy, alone here with |
ne, LilyT he querled, with sudden and |
uncomfortable tenderness.
Goodness! There's a perfect stream
down this slope. My skirt is
all draggly"
"What a thoughtless fool l amr' he
exclaimed. Here, step up on this
bench"
He helped her upon the bench, and
ook his place beside her, and both
aughed again like children.
"I wouldn't part with this umbrella |
,ow for a million. Why, where on
,arth is your engagement ring, LilyI"
"What has that to do with the UNI
DrellaT
Answer me. You must What has
become Of your rngf"
"Im sure don't know what. he did
with It, after l 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, you |
sald when we parted you would never
forgive me for flirting with Wilfred. |
That's why grew reckless and en-
gagged myself to him, That's why"
Hang Wilfredl I'm about to kiss
he tip of the prettlest ear in Chicagop |
III you do I'll never forgive you.
Besides, they can see us plainly from
he boulevard"
Il don't care II the whole world"
A nondeScrlpt, woebegone woman,
With a sodden hat, It's limp black feath-
RS trailing mournfully across her
heck, suddenly made her appearance
n front of the bench and paused shlv-
'ringly, as II anxious to remain in the
ompany OF two beings 50 warm and
lappy looking In the midst Of all the
'leakness.
I'm a stranger here. Won't you
lease tell me the way out Of the
arkT'
Certainly, madam; go that way"
eplled Clayton. pointing anywhere.
She had scarcely disappeared when
he history making umbrella, In re-
ponse to the invitation OF a passing