The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1911-12-14

Ue umUTelld. dCIluS Us Sail, was
bearing it's unfortunate owner in di
rection opposite to the one in which
she wished to go, and Ransom came
upon her at a moment when she lost
hold of the handle, and the flying unl-
brella drove straight at the young
man, and the ferrule punched hole
in the covering of his own protector
before it wrenched itself from his
grasp and bowled down the street.
LET it go. hope you're not hurt"
gasped the small form, and then 1t
scurried on ahead of Ransom, as If
afraid of him. He FASTENED on to
offer her the protection of his umbrel-
la, for the voice had been that Of a
girl, and Ransom was quite sure that
he could get home without much dam
age to his rough tweed cap, but a
girls hat was usually a most delicate
and destructible creation.
Ransom hurried after the girl, not
ing something familiar in the way she
fitted along the wet pavements ahead
of him She turned into the very
street in which he had decided to
turn. and he followed after. AS be
drew nearer he could see that she was
almost running, and it suddenly dawn
ed upon him that she was afraid OF
him and that she was running away
from him.
With one or two quick, silent bounds
he reached her side and at the same
instant recognized the little gray fit
ting figure he had so often seen at
twilight.
Miss Flittermouser' he exclaimed
involuntarily. do take my umbrella.
You'll spoil your hat" He thrust his
umbrella into her hand and strobe on
ahead to reassure her.
"Oh. thank you!" painted the girl.
And she said nothing more. Ransom
could hear her pattering along behind
him, and now and then he turned for
a glimpse of her. All he could see
was small form in long gray cloak.
with a gray veil tied about small hat.
At the foot of the steps leading to
Mrs. Beek's boarding house Ransom,
paused for a moment until the little
gray form battered up to him. To his
surprise, she stopped also. and when
she spoke there was laughter in her
tones.
"I'll send your umbrella around
some time this evening. Mr.. Holbrook."
she said and then vanished. leaving
Ransom standing open mouthed in the
pelting rain. 9a
"She knew my name." he pOndered.
as he thrust his latchkey in the door.
Later. after he had worried through
a dinner which by series Of unheard
Of calamities had been deprived of its
constituent parts, be sat before his
crate fire thinking about-Miss Filter
mouse. She really seemed like a
friend now that he had spoken to her
and had been able to render her a
service. He wondered where she
worked so steadily and why. It,; was
that he never saw her pass in the
morning. The door opened. and Mrs.
Beck. entered, bearing his umbrella.
"A" messenger boy brought it with
thanks" wheezed Mrs. Beck asf she
SCI tnC ullUl Clld Oif lnc nCdl III dho hCAt
the room. tt>f&
The next day Ransom was the as
tonished recipient of an invitation to
dine informally with Mr.. Laidlaw at
that gentleman's home that very even
ing.
Ransom was we'll within the draw.
ing room and had shaken hands with
his host and hostess and was being In
troduced to my only daughter. Hol-
brook" when he realized that he was
gazing into the eyes of the girl in
the gray hat he had seen at church.
When she smiled and, spoke to him
it was with the voice of Miss Filter
mouse of the twilight, and he walked
into the dining room with bewildered
sense that everything was topsy turvy
and everybody was somebody else. T.,
After dinner, when he had moment
alone with Miss Laidlaw, she drew the
skirts Of her soft gray Grape gown
aside and made room for him on the
sofa. go. ~.
''Tell me, Mr.. Holbrook. why you
called me Miss Flittermouse' last
night" Her eyes were dancing mirth-
fully.
did call you chat? l spoke my
thoughts aloud" he stammered, and
then, because he couldn't help telling
her anything she wanted to know, he
explained all about Miss Flittermouse,
who scurried past his house at twi-
light every night and who had awak-
ened such interest in his heart. Il
supposed you were some little working
girl" he ended. II did not know you
were the beautiful and much to be
envied Miss Laidlaw, of whom have
heard so much"
~ am working girl" averred Miss
Laidlaw decidedly. II am a teacher. in
the settlement house IN Thorne street,
and it's the greatest work in the
world" she added enthusiastically.
"Only father and, mother have forbid,
den me to walk home after this.
James is to drive me home as we'll as
take me In the mornings"
How did you know my nameT ask
ed Ransom, dizzied. with looking into
her wonderful eyes.
"Father told me last Sunday.
didn't know then that it was my hat
that knocked your glasses off; then.
after last night. l told father you must
come to dinner You see, he's talked a.
lot about you; says you're going to
make such splendid lawyer"
"y'm glad I'm a credit to the firm"