Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-07-12
Lucky Rain Drops


Ing and had sailed forth into the park,
Feeling spruce and merry. They sailed
put again, however, with undignified
haste when sudden downpour of rain
came from nowhere in partcular-for
no one had noticed any clouds-trans-
Forming most of them into mere mass
rs of drenched misery in less than
three minutes.
Lily. her head bent forward against
fhe wind, and with both hands holding
Der 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.
al beg your pardon" said he.
Lily stood still, her back to the wind
and her wavy golden hair blowing
prettily over her shoulders and fran
Ing her flushed face.
Your she exclaimed.
L Now he was standing STILL too. They
stared confusedly at each other, neither
knowing what to say.
al thought" he ventured at last,
shat I had nearly killed somebody.
L sincerely hope But, there, I'm
forgetting the rain and you've no UNI
brella. Hi, there-you with the tent.
I'll give you five dollars for itr'
1 This to a ragged old man who. new
ertheless, seemed to be comparatively
happy. having misshapen but invit-
ing umbrella.
"Donew said the old fellow. jumping
Eagerly at the bargain. 1T amt much
of beauty for promenading, sir, and
mebbe it amt worth so much, but
at is to me-" said Clayton Heres
the money. Now" turning once more
10 Lily, lets find a more sheltered
place"
Beneath the ugly umbrella the young
couple hurried along toward a huge
tree that seemed to offer some protec-
Zion from wind and rain.
"How strange" remarked Clayton,
Fthat we should suddenly find our
selves journeying along together again
once more, just as we used to do. as
though we had never quarreled! At
this moment can scarcely realize that
all is over"
: at isn't snapped the girl emphat-
tcally, Il mean, the rain isn't over
yet But it will soon be, and-and you
really needn't have bothered about an
umbrella"
"Well, you needn't 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 tiuttering of her own.
II suppose Wilfred Gray would be-
drudge me these few moments with
you if he knew"
LET us talk about something imper
sonal" said she. 1.-THE rain, for in
stance"
Don't you find that a sufficiently
dampening subject already?'
'Wen, hen-um-er-Oh, yes! Have
you seen Miss Gertle Terry lately?"
Il have, very lately. l tell you,
like Gertle Terry tremendously"
81 know you do. It's an old at
tachment'
She made a proud but unsuccessful
attempt TO free her arm from his
.Why shouldn't like herr" he con-
tinued. I'm to be the best man at her
wedding next month. She marrieS my
friend Bentley"
Lily unconsciously breathed sigh
of relief.
Aren't you happy. alone here with
me. Lily?" he queried, with sudden and
uncomfortable tenderness.
Goodness! There's perfect streem
running down this slope. My skirt is
all draggly"
..What a thoughtless fool l amr' 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.
~ 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 UNI
brella?"
Answer me. You must. What has
become OF your rng?"
I'm sure | don't know what he did
with ii. after I sent it back TO him."
'.Then you're mob You're free?"
Silence.
Lilly, guess what I'm going TO do
Don't you dare. Remember, you
said when we parted you would never
forgive me for flirting with Wilfred.
That's why 1 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 Chicago!
If you do I'll never forgive you
Besides. they can see us plainly from
the boulevard"
II don't care if the whole world"
A nondescript. woebegone woman,
with a sodden hat. its limp black feath-
ers trailing mournfully across her
cheek. suddenly made her appearance
in front of the bench ami paused shiv-
eringly. as II anxious TO semain in the
company of two beings so warm and
happy looking in the Must or all tbs
bleakness.
"Tm stranger here. Won't yor
please tell me the way out of tn,
parkT
Certainly. madam: so that way.
replied Clayton. pointing anywhere.
She had scarcely disappeared wheI
the history making umbrella, in re
Spouse to the invitation of pasSin:
gust of wind. turned suddenly insid'
out Clayton. after q moments dis
may, reversed the ludicrous looking oh
feet AID held il over them by its apex
the homely bulldog handle standing OF
guard far above.
Ten he repeated his question Z
1.-THE only question in the world a