The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1904-11-16
APRIL
SHOWERS
BY Rufb .SonfsIIs

pected shower We're most delightful
thing. They washed the brick pave
ment to II fresh red, making tiny rivu-
lets of the cutters.
But Phyllis Dalrymple was not oc-
cupied with admiration of the rain
drops plunks. 1t was provoking! Ten
minutes before there had not been II
suspicion of rain. And here she was
eooped up ON the tiny piazza of an
apartment house, without the remotest
hope of rescue till the rain should
please to cease. How empty the street
seemed too!
\ lone pedestrian. Enyiable crea-
ture. with rain coat and umbrella.
sauntering along rs II being out In the
rain were the pleasantest thing imag-
inable and now what an odd young
man he was stopping right In front
of her 10 watch the tiny river swirl and
divide upon an obstructing brick!
Il beg your pardon, sir, but could
you possibly let me- Her voice full
tered.
Herbert Ward hccled about and be
held, perched on the top step under the
narrow shelter, II most alluring picture
of distress.
"Can be of asslstancef" he began,
drawing nearer. hat In hand. You
were speaking to mer
The vision stiffened from Its appeal
ing attitude.
You must be mistaken, sir. do
not recall having met you" Then,
hastily. ut his look OF injured surprise:
"Oh. yes, yes Forgive me did
speak to you Oh, please don't go
away and leave me now"
The bewllderment on Wards face
was SO very frank that the girl broke
into II ripple of laughter.
"Really. must ask you 10 forgive
me ngain. do not mean t. be rude.
But II was funny to see ypu looking
as overcome M | felt. Til re-! That
smile makes me sure yo' are good
natured aud IL you'll come mp out of
the rain I'll try To tell you,
Wnrd accepted with alacrity.
you see was caught by the show
err Ward nodded, with II compre-
hensive glance at the dninty toilet
"nnd | simply must go on, because |
promised To take this lnce pattern TO
old Mrs Walker, and ! always keep
my word And | couldn't walt very
long either, because I've nm engage
mcnt at g. And there's no car no cab
no anything and you just looked like
salvation and | wns sure you hadn't
anything to do, because you weren't
hurrylng at MI. you know
Not II thing except your bidding un-
I'll g." asscnted Ward. Il. too. have an
appointment"
Then you could just as well as not.
you know, walk niongf don't believe
| ever asked any one before" she con
feased, with charming blush in apol-
ogy for her embarrassment.
"Couldnt have done 30 we'll with
years of experience" declared Ward,
looking Interested "My worthy UNI
brella AMI humble self nre yours most
devotedly And rs 1t seems already to
be raining quite little less yiciously
perhaps you'd like to start" he sug
gestcd.
You nre very kind" replied Phyllis
demurely, gathering up her ruilies pre-.
pnrntory to setting out.
As n matter of fact. II wus not rain
ing much now, but the | umbrella
and its stHlwart owner excellent
company in the deserted 81 'rt
Il almost believe ! like unconven-
tionality," said Phyllis, picking her
way an II dainty woman viii. ITS
SO well. different from everydny."
Il am convinced that Ike uncon-
yentionnlity. If this IL IT," responded
Ward.
Phyllis looked reproachful.
"Thls was what | thought about 1t
before | first spoke" she said hurried
w. "Of course we don't know each
other Mt all"
"Worse luck" said voice mt her
side
but | need to be rescued, and he's
apparently nothing better to do than
rescue me. lie looks trustworthy. and
after he takes me to Mrs. Walkers,
shall never see each other again
Never see each other again Oh. !
say, after do my best
--''and M ! am perfectly sure'-with
no hesitation to show that sic heard II
word of the protest from his appear
nnce that he would not dream OF Tux
Ing advantage of my confidence think
4 I,a. toll nfu In
generosity"
They walk cd for minute silently.
Then she stole glance Mt his clear
cut face, flushed with modification
and relented.
"You are doing me such favor
more genially-"that / don't mind tell
ing you that | was horribly frightened
after | spoke and truly believe should
hive run away the minute you turned
II It hadn't been for the rain"
"Thank heaven for RANT" he muir
INJURED so fervently that they boil
smiled and caught each other In the
net
but really think It's not raining
Il drop now" she said "There's moth
ing left but the sprinkle from the
trees"
1t would ruin your frock in Nc
time" And he gave the exquisitely
gowned little figure another openly ap
proving glance.
But. Of course" responded Phyllis
II couldn't permit myself to presume
upon your Kindness when ! don't real
ly need you, and. you see. the sun IL
trying It's best to shine this very min
ute"
"May failure attend It's eJorts-that
Isl mean-you know how very un
certain such weather IL, and If | al
lowed you to be caught again I'd never
forgive myself"
"Oh. you wouldn't think of 1t again
of course" she laughed coyly. but
| should be desolated II caused you
to miss your appointment It's quite
little nearer than 1t was, you
know -