The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-11-15
"GOIns downtown, Dlcki"

]
mine and have yours mended"
Have mine fixed, too, win your
called a voice from the next room.
milne needs a patch" said another
young student Of medicine, appearing
In the door.
II say, get the handle put on mine
while you're about IT," demanded a
third.
Dick departed with Joe Darts um.
brello over his head and three disabled
ones besides his own under his arm.
After leaving them with an umbrella
menGer he did some shopping and went
into corner drug shop to wait for a
car. He was absorbed In the marvel
GUS representations Of new patent
medicine until glanclng out OF the win
dow, he saw his car, seized the near
est umbrella aud hurried to the door.
AS he passed out a feminine voice
cried:
stop thief! He's stolen my UNI
brellaP
Without the falntest suspicion that
II referred TO him Dick ran and jumped
on the car.
When he reached the boarding house
he carried Joe's umbrella to his own
room and forgot II until the next rainy
day, when his friends inquired for
their mended property.
THE repairs Will be finished today.
I'll bring your umbrellas on my way
back from the hospital" he told them.
When he went out with Joe's umbrel-
la, which he had not returned, It struck
him as being rather small for q man,
although It had not occurred 70 him
when he carried II before.
AS he seated himself IN the car 60
ing uptown the woman next to him
muttered nm angry ejaculation. Dick
moved his bunch Of umbrellas and
apologIzed, fearing he had set It on her
foot. when to his establishment she
whispered;
~ congratulate you, young man.
You have had very successful morn.
Ing If II were not for making scene
that would get my name into the pa
pers, should denOunce you here and
now"
Dick was speechless. He started to
his feet
Don't Won suppose recognize my
stolen umbrella right there In your
handY'
"North streetF' bawied the con-
ductoR.
~ viii leave you to your own con
science" added the woman and was
gone before Dick recovered sufficiently
to retort
isn't this your umbrellaT" he asked
Joe when he reached the house.
tits five times as good. Where did
you get IN"
II must have exchanged with some
body" said Dick ruefully,
"Take my silver watch out and swap
It Off for a gold one, Will your" said
Joe
"Who shall you take to the next as
semblyT' Joe inquired later.
II have asked Miss Mildred Wells,
but. as have only met her once, she
viii probably decline"
mot Milly-wlth- the-mercenary-m moth
a She won't be permitted to refuse
an invitation from the only son Of q
gold mine"
''Her mother has never even heard
Of me-" said Dick Grossly.
She'll find you out soon enough.
She keeps a regular BFadstreet's of
eligible men. She has married all her
nleces to diamond tiaras and Is Just
waiting for a chap like You to crown
her daughter. Her permission won't
he asked this time. though. She Is go
ing away tonight Milly told me so
this afternoon"
Joe was right, and Mildred accepted
Dicks invitation. During her mothers
absence she was relegated to tho chap
eronage Of much married cousin,
who was too engrossed In the pursuit
OF sterillzed nutrIment and sanitary
apparel for her children to keep a
vlgIlant eye on her guest
The night OF the assembly found her
unable TO leave her youngest who,
having deposited dime in his insldes,
refused to honor draft Of mustard
and warm water for the amount. The
distracted mother was easily persuad-
ed to allow Afilly to 90 with a friend.
II shall have TO leave early" Milly
told her escort Mother win be home
at O'Clock, and / must be there to
greet her. / have been staying with
Cousin Carrie you know. but prom
lsed mamma | would be back at our
own house when che arrives"
They left the dance at midnight and
started for Mildred's home, When
- .onohoa LLo hol.no nloL lnanrLnd