Cañon City record., 1911-08-31


at some future time duuer
1t was IN the dnrkeSr. most forbid
ding part of lonely. wind driven
street that he came upon ii small form
struggling with refractory umbrella
The umbrella. arting as SAT-. was
bedring lis unfortunate owner IN a dI
rection opposite 10 the one IN whi-n
she wished TO 90. and Ransom came
upoa her at moment wner she ioSt
hold OF the handle. and the flylng um-
breila drove straight at the young
man. and the terruie punched a ooie
in the covering cot nis own protector
before it wreuched itself from his
grasp and BOWED down the street.
LET II 20. / hope you re not hurt"
gasped the small form. and then IL
scurried on ahead OF Ransom. as If
afraid of hiL He FASTENED on to
offer her the protection of mis- umbreI-
la. for the voire had been that of
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 most delicate
and destructive 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
streer in which he had decided TO
turn. and be followed after. As ne
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 be had so often seen at
twilight.
Miss Flittrrmouse."' he exclaimed
Involuntary. DO take my umbrella.
You'll spoil your nat. He thrust MS
umbrella into her hand and strode on
ahead 10 reassure her
oh thank you painted the girl.
And she said nothing more. Ransom
could hear her pattering along behind
him. and now ana then he turned for
a glimpse OF her. All he could see
was small form In a long gray cloak
with gray veil tied about a small hat.
At the foot of tue steps leading to
Mrs Beek's boarding house Ransom
paused for u moment until the little
gray form pattered up TO him To his
surprise. she stopped also. and when
she spoke there was laughter in her
tones.
''Tn send your umbrella around
some time this evening Mr. Holbrookr
she said and then vanished. leaving
Ransom standing open Glouthed In the
pelting rain.
''She knew my name" be pondered.
as he thrust his latchkey in the door.
Later. after he had worried through
q dinner which by series OF unheard
of calamities had been deprived OF its
constituent parts. he sat before his
crate ere thinking about-Miss Filter
mouse. She really seemed Ike a
friend now that be had spoken TO her
and had been able TO render ber a
service He wondered where she
worked so steadily and why Il was
that be never saw her pass In the
morning The door opened. and Mrs
Beck entered. bearing his umbrella.
"a messenger boy brought IL with
thanks wheezed Mrs Beck as she
set the umbrella on the hearth and left
the room.
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 well 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
II was with the voice OF Miss Filter
mouse OF the twilight. and be walked
into the dining room with bewildered
sense that everything was topsy turSy
and everybody was somebody else.
After dinner. when he had moment
alone with Miss I.aidlaw. she drew the
skirts OF her soft gray Grape gown
aside and made room TOR him on the
sofa.
Tell me. Mr. uoibrcoS. why you
called me Miss Fliuermnuse last
night Her eyes were dancing mirth
fully.
did call you thatl | spoke my
thoughts aloud. he stammered. and
then. because ne couldn't heIn telling
her anything she wanted TO Know. ne
explained all about Miss Flittermousc.
who scurried past his house at twi-
light every night ana who had awak-
ened such interest IN his heart. Il
supposed you were some little working
girl he ended Il did not know YOU
were the bcautiful aud much TO be
envied Miss Laidlaw. ot whom nave
heard 50 much
II am n working cirl" i" nverrrd Mss