The Somerset reporter., 1904-11-10
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APRIL
SHOWERS
BY Ruth SanfeHe
BY Ruth ,SanfeTfe



pected shower were most delightful
thing They washed the brick pave
ment to II fresh red, making tiny riyu-
lets of the cutters.
But Phyllis Dalrymple was not oc-
cupied with admiration of the rain
drops FRANKS. 1t was provoking. Ten
minutes before there had not been u
suspicion of rain. And here she was
cooped up on the tiny piazza Of an
apartment house, without the remotest
hope of rescue TIL the rain should
please to cease How empty the street
seemed too.
\ lone pedestrian! Enyiable erea-
ture, with rain coat aud umbrella,
saunterlng along as If being out In the
rain were the pleasantest thing imag-
Unable, and now-what an odd young
man he was-stopplng right In front
of her to watch the tiny river swirl and
divide upon an obstructing brick.
Il beg your pardon, sir but could
you possibly let me- Her voice fal-
tered.
Herbert Ward heeled about and be
held perched on the top step under the
narrow shelter, a most allurlng picture
of distress.
Can | be of assistanceY he began
drawing nearer, hat in hand. You
were speaking to meT
20 onnpO
ing attitude.
You must be mistaken, sir. dc
not recall having met YOU" Then
hastily, at his look Of injured surprise
oh yes, ses. Forgive me. did
speak to you. Oh, please don't &c
away and leave me now!'
The bewilderment on Wards face
was so very frank that the girl broke
into a ripple Of laughter.
Really, l must ask you to forgive
me again. | do not mean to be rude
But it was funny to see you looking
as overcome as | felt. There! Tha'
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 I was caught by the show
er'-Ward nodded, with compre
hensive glance at the dainty toilet
land | simply must go on, because
promised to take this lace pattern tc
old Mrs. Walker, and | always keel
my word. And | couldn't wait very
long either, because I've an engage
ment at 3. And there's no car, no cab
no nnythlng-and you just looked like
salvation-and | was sure you hadn't
anything to do becauA you weren't
hurrylng at ALL you know
mot a thing except your bidding un-
til g." assented Ward. "a, too have ar
appointment"
Then you could just as well as not
you know, walk along2 | don't bsli0ve
ever asked any one before" she con
fessed, with a charming blush. In apol-
ogy for her embarrassment.
Couldn't have done 80 well with
years of experience" declared Ward
looking Interested. my worthy UNI
brella and humble self are yours most
devotedly. And az 1t 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 rutfies pre-
paratory to setting out
AS q matter of fact, 1t was not rain
Ing much now. but the big umbrella
and It's stalwart owner were excellent
company in the deserted street.
81 almost believe l like unconven-
tionality,' said Phyllis, picking her
way as a dainty woman Will. Its
so-well different from everyday"
II am convinced that | like uncon-
ventionality, If this Is It," responded
Ward.
Phyllis looked reproachful
This was what l thought about II
before | first spoke" she said hurried
ly. "Of course we don't know each
other ut ALI
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 l do my best
land as l 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
| shall run the risk of appealing to his
generosity"
They walked for a minute silently.
Then she stole glance Mt his clear
cut face, flushed with modification
and relented
"You are doing me such Il favor
more genlally-"that I don't mind tell.
Ing you that | was horribly frightened
after | spoke and truly believe should
hive run away the minute you turned
If it hadn't been for the rain
Thank heaven for rain" he muir
INJURED so feryently that they both
smiled and caught each other In the
act
But I really think its not rainn2
Il drop now" she said. There's moth.
ing left but the sprinkle from the
trees"
1T would ruin your frook In nc
time" And he gave the exquisltely
gowned little figure another openly APP
proving glance.
But, OF course" responded Phyllis
81 couldn't permit myself to presume
upon your kindness when don't real