Greene County herald., 1904-08-05
Lucky Rain Drops.

uSy OuL dEdlug AOh-
sver, with undignified haste when a
sudden townpour of rain came frcm
nowhere in particular-for no one had
noticed any clouds-transformin most
Of them into mere masses of drenched
misery in less than three minutes.
Lily, her head bept 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 collided
with Clayton, who was scurrying to-
ward the park corner.
Il beg your pardon said he.
Lily stood still, her back to the wind
and her wavy golden hair blowing
prettily over her shoulders and franz
ing her flushed face.
"You!" she exclaimed.
Now he was standingastill TOO. They
stared confusedly at each other, neith-
er knowing what to say.
Il thought" he ventured at last,
that l had nearly killed somebody.
sincerely hope. But, there, I'm for
getting the rain and you've no UNI
brella. Hi, there, you with the tent!
I'll give you SIS for it,"
This to a ragged old man who, nev-
ertheless, seemed to be comparative
ly happy, having a misshapen but in
viting umbrella.
"Done!" said the old fellow, jump
ing eagerly at the bargain. ''It amt
much of beauty for prCmenading,
sir, and mebbe it amt worth so much,
but"
1T is to me-" said Clayton. Here's
the money. Now" turning once more
to Lily, lets find more sheltered
place"
Beneath the ugly umbrella the young
couple hurried along toward a huge
tree that seemed to offer some pro-
lection 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 quarreledi At
this moment l can scarcely realize that
all is over
ut isn't" snapped the girl emphatic
ally. Il mean, the rain isn't ever yet.
But it will soon be. and-and you real
ly needn't have bothered about an UNI
brella."
well, you need not stand SO far
away, If 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 futtering of her own.
Il suppose Walfred 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 sufficiently
dampening subject already?"
"Well, -um-er-Qh, yes! Have
you seen Miss Gertie Terry lately?''
81 have, very lately. l tell you,
like Gertie Terry tremendously"
81 know you do. It's an old attach
ment"
She made a proud but unsuccessful
attempt to free her arm from his.
Why shouldn't l like herr" he con-
tinued. I'm to be best man at her
wedding next month. She marries my
friend Bently"
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 a perfect stream
running down this slope. My skirt is
all draggly!"
What tboughtless fool ami" he
exclaimed. Here, step up on this
bench"
He helped her upon the bench, and
took his place beside her, and both
laughed again like children.
81 wouldn't part with this umbrella
now for a million Why, where on
earth is your engagement ring, Lily?'
What has that to do with the um-
brella?"
Answer me. You must. What has
become of your ring?"
I'm syre l don't know what he did
with it, alter sent it back to him ,
Then you're not You're free?'
Silenca
| Lilly, guess what I'm going to do
Don't you dare! Remember you said
when we parted you would never for
give 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
the tip of the prettiest ear In Chicagoi'
''If you do I'll never forgive you
Besides, they can see us plainly from
the boulevard"
| don't care if the whole world
A nondescript, woebegone woman
with sodden hat. its limp blacl
feathers suddenly made her appear
ance in front of the bench and PAUSED
shiveringly as if anxious to remain il
the company OF two beings so warn
and happy looking in the midst of al
the bleakness.
I'm a stranger here. Won't 20,
please tell me the way out of thu
park?"
Certainly, madam; go that way.
replied Clayton. pointing anywhere.
She had scarcely disappeared whel
the history making umbrella, in re
sponse to the invitation of passing
gust CT wind, turned suddenly insid
OUT Clayton, after moments dis
may reversed the ludicrous looking oh
ject, and held it over them by its apex
the homely bulldog handle standing
on guard far above.
Then he repeated his question t
Lily-the only question in the worl'
at that moment.
Wont you forgive the past. Lily