The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-02-15

ed that far. 1t was beginning to rain,
and the unhappy traveller, after wan
dering aimlesSly up the avenue Il few
blocks, sought shelter in Il restaurant
and established himself dismally ut
corner table
He ordered moro dinner than he could
eat, paid his bill and sat on, needless of
afternoon passed. The proprietor of
the place looked him over concluded he
was sober and went away
After supper he seized his umbrella
heroically, turned up his trousers one
fold and splashed out into the rain and
approaching darkness. As he pIodded
down the avenue he summed up his aft
ernoons meditations in one half heart
ed sentence, 4 wrote, though if twas
agreeable to BOTH
On toward Irving street he walked
slowly, watching the moving feet Of his
fellow pedestrians, all that was visible
beneath his overhangiu% umbrella.
Presently he found himself following a
black skirt whose damp hem slapped
dciectcdly against reluctant heels He
drew nearer \ black gloved hand ap-
pearcd holding Il heavy bag. Ensigns
heart suddenly pounded in his throat
He raised his umbrella in trepidation
and behold the plump figure Of Mrs
Lizzie
One long stride placed him beside her
with TrK-iIrp StI.apt foru,ttpu
Lizzie Grey he exclaimed, with q
joyful ring in his tone.
rs that you, Ensign" quavered a
tired voice
The little umbrella was closed. the
baggage changed hands, and Lizzie,
giving Il sigh deep with content, tucked
her fingers beneath his arm. No one
noticed them, no one smiled at them,
and Ensign arose TO his full height
mentally and physically.
I'm all tuckered out" sighed Mrs
Lizzie, with tears in her voice. She
drew unconsciously nearer Ensign and
pushed her hand farther under his arm.
ITS Il rainy day to get around in
he responded brilliantly. His manner
contained all the rays of the hidden
sun, for his thoughts We're taking a
daring but happy flight.
Il guess it is returned Mrs. Lizzie.
How far do you go?' Ensign asked,
and her reply brought him down from
his joyful height.
"Oh, it's only Il little ways-juat tc
il,riDo - lipTn tnlpCr1.p a
me this afternoon that a-a-sOme one
wants to see me tonight 50 l had to
come off in hurry"
why. l am going to Irving street
myself" Ensign faltered and then add.
ed in a ierly tone. col"
There was quick movement under
his arm. why, there's where I'm go
ing. My niece lives there cried Mrs
Lizzie
An idea occurred simultaneously to
both and they stopped short Mrs
Liz2ies shoes fingered in muddy
pool, while Ensign's broad back barred
the path of a man racing home to din.
ner. The man recoiled. damaged in
speech and feelings, but Ensign was
unconscious of the impact"
Then it's your advertisement" En-
sign cried with such ring of relief il
his tone that Mrs. Lizzie moved hastily
on, although her own voice sounded
brighter as she returned:
And you answered it,"
Ensign wabbled his umbrella joyful
ly into the eye Of passing policeman
IF I'd only known you was back of il
I'd not felt like as if | was attendin
my own funeral day I can tell your
Mrs. Lizzie increased her speed
Folks tongues was that upsetting,
she began confusedly, that l though
if could get Il place as housekeeper OF
companion to some nice lady
mice lady" exploded Ensign, Com
paniOn to nice LADY,
His tone of blank amazement enlight
ened Lizzie. Ensign Beebe,' she be
gan Indignantly, you surely didn'
think"-
Ensign interrupted in Il voice sud
denly resolute. "Tm thinkin' hare
enough now, Lizzie, that bein' a com
panion to nice lady amt the situa
lion l want you to taker