The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-12-09
APRIL
SHOWERS
BY Ruf6 ,SanfeIfe
Copyright, 1901, bU X. NJ. Whitehead

pected shower were most delightful
thing. They washed the brick pave
ment to fresh red, making tiny rivu.
let's of the cutters.
But Phyllis Dalrymple was not oc-
cupied with admiration Of the rain
drops pranks. 1t was provoking! Ten
minutes before there had not been a
suspicion Of rain. And here she was
cooped 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!
A lone pedestrian! Enviablc crea
ture, with rain coat and umbrella,
sauntcring along as If being out in the
rain were the pleasanteSt thing mag
Unable, and now-what an odd young
man he was-stopping right in front
Of her to watch the tiny river swirl and
divide upon an Obstructing brick!
II beg your pardon, sir, but could
you possibly let me- Her voice fal-
tered.
Herbert Ward heeled about and be-
held, perched OH the top step under the
narrow shelter, q most alluring picture
of distress.
Can 1 be Of assistance?' he began,
drawing nearer, hat in hand. '"You
were speaking to meT'
The vision stiffened from its appeal
ing attitude.
You must be mistaken, sir. l do
not recall having met YOU" Then,
hastily, at his look of injured surprise:
"Oh, yes, yes. Forgive me. 1 did
speak to you. Oh, please don't go
away and leave me now!'
The bewilderment OH Wards face
was so very frank that the girl broke
into ripple of laughter.
"Really, 1 must ask you to forgive
me again. l do not mean to be rude.
But 1t was funny to see you looking
rs overcome as I felt. There! That
smile makes me sure you are good
natured, and if you'll come up out Of
the rain III try to tell you."
Ward accepted with alacrity.
"You see l was caught by the show
er"-Ward nodded, with compre-
hensive glance at the dainty toilet
"and l simply must so on, because I
promised to take this lace pattern to
old Mrs. Walker, and l always keep
my word. And I couldn't wait very
long either, because I've an engage
ment at 3. And there's no car, no cab,
no anything-and you just looked like
salvation-and 1 was sure you hadpt
anything to do, because you wereTH
hurrying at all, you know
Not thing except your bidding un-
til g." assented Ward. II, too, have an
appointment"
"Then you could just as well as not,
you know, walk along? 1 don't believe
1 ever asked any one BEFORE" she con-
fessed, with a charming blush, in apol-
ogy for her embarrassment.
Couldn't have done SO we'll with
years Of experience" declared Ward,
looking interested. "My worthy UNI
brella and humble self are yours most
devotedly. And as it seems already to
be raining quite little less viciously
perhaps you'd like to start" he sug-
gested.
'You are very kind" replied Phyllis
demurely, gathering up her rufiies pre-
paratory to setting out.
AS Il matter Of fact, it was not rain
ing much now. but the big umbrella
and its stalwart owner were excellent
company in the deserted street.
81 almost believe l like unconven-
tionality," said Phyllis, picking her
way as n dainty woman will. "It's
so-well, different from everyday"
II am convinced that like uncon-
ventionality, if this is it," responded
Ward.
Phyllis looked reproachful.
"This was what 1 thought about it
before first spoke" she said hurried
ly. "Of course we don't know each
other at alp
"Worse luckw said a voice at her
side.
-"but 1 need to be rescued, and he's
apparently nothing better to do than
rescue me. He looks trustworthy, and
after he takes me to Mrs. Walkers,
where 1 can send for the carriage, we
shall never see each other again.
Never see each other again! Oh,
say, after / do my best
-'and as am perfectly sure"-with
no hesitation to show that she heard
word Of the protest-"from his appear
ance that he would not dream OF TAX
ing advantage of my confidence think
I shall run the risk Of appealing to his
generosity"
They walked for a minute silently.
Then she stole a glance at his clear
cut face, flushed with modification,
and relented.
"You are doing me such q favor
more genially-"that don't mind tell
ing you that was horribly frightened
after 1 spoke and truly believe should
have run away the minute you turned
If 1t hadn't been for the rain"
"Thank heaven for rainp he muir
INJURED so fervently that they both
smiled and caught each other in the