The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-01-26
APRIL
SHOWERS
ny Rufb .yansefIs
ocprsoAt, 1901, BY 4. n. WAsssAssi


The raindrops pattered down q
nerrily and musicaily as II an unez
pecteo shower were q most delightfu
thing. They washed the brick pave
ment to fresh red. making tiny rivu
kts Of the cutters.
But Phyllis Dalrymple was not oc
eupied with admiration Of the rain
drops pranks. 1t was provoking! Tel
minutes before there had not been /,
suspicion of rain. And here she wal
eocped up on the tiny piazza OF Al
apartment house, without the remotes
hope Of rescue till the rain Should
please to cease. How empty the street
seemed tool
A lone pedestrian! Enviable crsa,
ture. with rain coat and umbrella
sauntering along as IL being out In the
rain were the pleasantest thing imag-
inable, 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 on the top step under the
narrow shelter, most alluring picture
of distress.
Can l be of assistanceY' 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. ! do
not recall having met you" Then,
hastily, at his look Of injured surprise:
"0h, yes, yes. Forgive me. / did
speak to you. Oh, please don't go
away and leave me nowP'
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 I do not mean to be rude
But 1t was funny to see you looking
as overcome as felt. Therel 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 l was caught by the show
er"-Ward nodded, with a compre-
hensiye glance at the dainty toilet
'and / simply must go on, because I
promised to take this lace pattern to
old Mrs. Walker, and / 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 ! was sure you hadn't
anything to do. because you weren't
hurrying at all, you know
Not thing except your bidding un-
III g. assented Ward. 81. too. have an
. -
Then you could just as well as not,
you know, walk along? l don't believed
ever asked any one before" she con-
sessed, with a charming blush, in apol-
)gy for her embarrassment. a.
''Couldn't have done SO well with
FearS Of experience" declared Ward,
Ooking interested. MY worthy um-
,rella and humble self are yours most
leyotedly. And as 1t seems already to
" raining quite little less viciously
,erhaps you'd like to start" he sug
rested.
''You are very kind" replied Phyllis I
gathering up her rufties pre-.
'aratory to setting out
AS a matter of fact, 1t was not rain
ne much now, but the big umbrella
nd its stalwart owner were excellent
ompany in the deserted street. |
II almost believe | like unconven-
lonality," said Phyllis, picking her {
ray as a dainty woman will. "It's
Dwell, different from everyday" s
II am convinced that | like uncon-
entionality, if this is it." responded
Yard.
Phyllis looked reproachful.
This was what / thought about 1t !
efore first spoke" she said hurried a
!. "0f course we don't know each !
Lher at air. b
Worse luckg' said a voice at her s
de- S
-"but need to be rescued, and he's S
nothing better to do than
escue me. He looks trustworthy, and a
fter he takes me to Mrs. Walkers, I
here can send for the carriage, we b
hall never see each other again. f
Never see each other again! Oh, !
ly, after / do my BEST +"
-"and as l am perfectly sure"-with II
D hesitation to show that she heard
ord of the protest-"from his appear fl
ace that he would not dream Of TAX Il
g advantage Of my confidence / think "
shall run the risk of appealing to his t
a
They walked for a minute silently. II
hen she stole a glance at his clear b
it face, flushed with modification, N
I'd relented. Il
"You are doing me such a favor n
ore genially-" don't mind tell 6
g you that | was horribly frightened
ter | spoke and truly believe | should
I've run away the minute you turned Of
1t hadn't been for the rain" az
THANK heaven for rainw he muir is