Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-12-10
APRIL
SHOWERS
BY Ruth Sonfeiie
Copyright. isol, bp Il. VI. Whitehead

ment 10 fresh red. making tiny rivu-
/ lets of the cutters.
But Phyllis Dalrymple was not &C.
cupicd with admiration of the rain
drops FRANKS. 1t was provoking. Ten
minutes before there had not been IA
coopcd up on the tiny piazza of an
apartment house. without the remotest
hope of rescue till the rain should
please Ia cease. How empty the street
seemed too.
A lone pedestrian. Enviable crea-
ture. with rain coat and umbrella
sauntering along as if being out in the
rain were the pleasantest thing imag-
Unable. 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 fall
tered.
Herbert Ward heeled about and be-
held. perched on the top step under the
narrow shelter. most alluring picture
of distress.
"Can he of assistance?' he began,
drawing nearer. hat in hand. You
Were speaking to me?'
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. did
speak 10 you. Oh. please don't go
away and leave me now"
The bewilderment on Wards face
was so very frank that the girl broke
into a ripple of laughter
REALLY. must ask you to forgive
me again. do not mean to be rude
But il was funny to see you looking
as overcome as l felt There. That
smile makes me sure you are good
natured. and if you'll come up out of
the rain I'll try to tell you"
Ward accepted with alacrity.
"You see was caught by the show
er''-Ward nodded. with compre-
hensive glance at the dainty toilet
sand simply must go on. because l
promised to take this lace pattern to
old Mrs Walker. and l always keep
my word And / couldn't wait very
long either. because I've an engage
ment mt 3. And there's no car. no cab.
no anything-and you just looked like
salvation-and l was sure you hadn't
anything to do. because you weren't
hurrying at all. you know
Not thing except your bidding I'M
til g." assented Ward. Il, too have an
appointment"
Then you could just as well as not,
you know. walk along: I don't believe
l ever asked any one before" she con-
fessed. with charming blush, in apol-
ogy for her embarrassment.
Couldn't have done so well with
years of experience" declared Ward,
looking Interested. MY worthy UNI
brela and humble self are yours most
devotedly. And as II 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 ruff1es pre-
paratory TO setting out.
AS matter of fact. II was not rain
ing much now. but the big umbrella
and It's stalwart owner were excellent
company in the deserted street.
Il almost believe l like unconven-
tionality." said Phyllis, picking her
way as dainty woman will. Its
so-well. different from everyday"
II am convinced that l like uncon-
yentionality. IL this is It," responded
Ward
Phyllis looked reproachful.
This was what | thought about 1t
before first spoke" she said hurried
ly. "Of course we don't know each
other at ALL
Worse luckw said a voice at her
side
but | 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 can send for the carriage, we
shall never see each other again
Never see each other again. Oh, !
say. after I do my best
-''and as am perfectly sure"-with
no hesitation to show that she heard a
word of the protest-''from his appear
ance that he would not dream Of tax
ing advantage of my confidence think
shall run the risk of appealing to his
generosity"
They walked for minute silently.
Then she stole glance at his clear
cut face, flushed with modification.
and relented.
"You are doing me such favor
more genially-"that l don't mind tell
ing you that | was horribly frightened
after spoke and truly believe should
have run away the minute you turned
II 1t hadn't been for the rain"
"Thank heaven for rainv' he muir
INJURED so fervently that they both
smiled and caught each other in the
act
But | really think it's not raining
a drop now" she said. There's moth
ing left but the sprinkle from the
/ trees"
ut would ruin your frock in no
/ ~ II.