The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-03-14

Not in this flood. My umbrella has
a broken rib
''You are almost surgeon Why
don't you set it?'' asked Joe. Take
mine and have yours mended."
Have mine fixed, too, will your
called voice from the next room.
''A1ine needs a patch,'' said another
young student of medicine, appearing
in the door,
Il say. get the handle put on mine
while you're about it," demanded
third.
Dick departed with Joe Darts um-
brella over his head and three disabled
ones besides his own under his arm.
After leaving them with an umbrella
mender he did some shopping and went
into corner drug shop to wait for
car. He was absorbed in the marvel
GUS representations of new patent
medicine until, glancing out of the Win
dow, he saw his Cur, seized the near
est umbrella and hurried to the door
AS he passed out feminine voice
cried:
"stop thief! He's stolen my UNI
brella.'
Without the faintest suspicion that
1t 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 it until the next rainy
day. when his friends inquired for
their mended property.
The repairs will be finished today.
I'll bring your umbrellas OH 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 man,
although it had not occurred to him
when he carried 1t before.
As he seated himself in the car 60
| ing uptown the woman next to him
muttered an angry ejaculation. Dick
| moved his bunch of umbrellas and
apologiZed, fearing lie had set it on her
| foot, when to his astonishment she
whispered:
|
You have had very successful morn
ing. If it We're not for making scene
that would get my name into the pa
pers, l should denounce you here and
now
Dick was speechless. He started to
his feet
Don't YOU suppose l recognize my
stolen umbrella right there in your
hand?'
North streetw bawled the con-
| ductor.
II will leave you to your own con-
science" added the woman and was
gone before Dick recovered sufficiently
to retOrt
isn't this your umbrella?" he asked
Joe when he reached the house
Its five times as good Where did
you get it?''
Il must have exchanged with some
body" said Dick ruefully
''Take my silver watch out and swap
it off for gold one. will your" said
| joe
'Who shall you take to the next as
sembly:" Joe inquired later.
"I have asked Miss Mildred Wells
but as / have only met her once, she
will probably decline"
Not Milly -with-the- -mercenary- moth
err She won't be permitted to refuse
an invitation from the only son Of J
gold mine"
''Her mother has never even heard
Of me-" said Dick Grossly
She'll find YOU out soon enough
She keeps regular Bradstreet's o1
eligible men. She has married all he1
nieces to diamond tiaras and Is jus
waiting for chap like you to crown
her daughter. Her permission won'
he asked this time, though. She is go
ing away tonight Nilly told me 81
this afternoon"
Joe was right, and Mildred accepted
Dicks invitation. During her mother
absence she was relegated to the chap
eronage of much married cousin
who was too engrossed in the pursui
of sterilized nutriment and sanitar,
apparel for her children to keep ;
vigilant eye on her guest
The night of the assembly found he
unable to leave her youngest. who
having deposited dime in his iilsides
refused to honor draft Of mustart
: and warm later for the amount. Th
i distracted mother was easily persuad
ed to allow Milly to go with Il friend.
II shall have to leave early" Mill
told her escort Mother will be hom
greet her. | have been staying wit
Cousin Carrie. You know. but I prom
ised mamma I would be back at on
0 own house when she arrives"
They left the dance at midnight an
started for Mildred's home. Whe
they reached the house Dick inserte
a latchkey. but it would not turn.
Bridget has slipped the night latch.
exclaimed Milly. "She sleeps on tn
third story and is so deaf she can
even hear by mail. What shall W
] do?'
j. .sIsnt there window l can ope
: somewhere"
Suppose you try mothers room
The windows are on the piazza. an
: : they are seldom locked"
. Il will do my criminalist." sal
D Dick.
n "Just inside the window at the LEI
n is a stand with candle and matche
P You can easily find the front do
e when you have a light.