Norwich bulletin., 1914-08-01
A FAITHFUL PARASOL

ure and bright color to good advan- tage. Her abundant hair was black as a ravens wing. and rippled in na- tural waves enhancing not concealing her well-shaped head. Long curling lashes increased the witchery of eyes whose varying glances changed from grey to blue or black, according to the mood of their owner, but at all times were sincere and straightforward. As she waved a loving farewell to her mother, she was surely a maid to be admired and not likely to be spoiled by adulation, for she was not vain of her good looks. though quite conscious of the fact that she was looking her best on this particular bright morning of July.
 The crowning feature in her attire in BarbaTa's opinion was her parasol. which she carried this morning for the first time, and which was certainly of peculiar pattern As she tripped along, she cast many a glance of ap- proval at that article of adornment- T am so glad I found this parasoI, . she thought. T don't believe there is another like 1t in town. nor likely to be at Bar Harbor. do like to have things different from others. Those green and black lines on the white silk are lovely and then the dots of red hero and there are so pretty. l shall not be afraid of losing it. The sharp pearl arrow-like tip is a nice finish at the top and the handle is a graceful deer's head The parasol is a dear in my mind. Won't the girls rave over it. They will say as usual that I do pick up the best bargains" All which goes to show that Barbara was not faultless although she was an affec- tionate daughter and lovable maid.
 Meantime her brisk steps had brought her to the various points where her nnTChaSqG tn he made and her homeward trip was begun. The library was not far from her own home. but before it was reached, our fair young miss realized that St. spite of his promises in the morning, and that if she escaped a drenchinE she must run for the nearest shelter. That fortunately, happened to be the library entrance. Thither she rushed impetuously closing her parasol only as she arrived there.
 |. Her fear of the shower blinded her Ito the fact that the porch was already occupied. and she almost fell into. the arms of young man who stood crowded into the corner of the vesti- bule ruefully contemplating a new Panama hat which he held in his hand Plainly the hat was both new and high priced, and he could not be ex- pected to enjoy the right of his inn maculate Panama, impaled as it was on the pearl arrow of Barbara's parasol as was the result of her excited rush into the dim enclosure. "Oh, am SC sorry," broke from Barbara's lips as she saw what she had done q did ! not see you at all" It is of no conse- quence whatever was the polite re- ply. 'I could not well be seen in the dimness. Can I be of any service tc you?"
 Barbara explained that she was in- tending to go inside the libary, and the shower would very likely be over by the time she left. But it was not and ! she was not unwilling to have the pro- l lection of a more substantial umbrelis as it's owner escorted her to her owr ] home.
 Before they reached that domicilt | Raymond Styles knew he had mei some one to be remembered and alsC | that possibly they might meet agaII in the near future at Bar Harbor. 'f shall look for your parasol on the l beach I should know it among a hun | dred, I am sure. Barbara again ex. | pressed her regret that 1t had proved i the ruin of his hat. T shall feel thal | I owe you a Panama whenever yol claim it." she said.
 Mrs. Crossthwaite and her daughter | were soon at their favUrite summel ' home, for they were oId-timers on tn, ! Maine coast. MT. Styles was delayed | in town by business and if Barbars | missed him from the group she kept i | to herself His absence was much de plored by some of the guests who knev him and greatly anticipated his ar 1 rival. So it chanced he reached Bd ] Harbor only to be told that Barbar; and her mother had left the day prev | ious for home.
 The following winter Mrs. Crossth ! waite was ordered to Florida, for tn 1 east winds of Boston were too vigorou for her, and of course Barbara attend 1 ed her as usual Raymond Styles wa there also and in his morning wall one day he caught sight of a stripe, and spotted white silk parasol whIcl he joyfully recognized as he also dit the owner, Miss Barbara A pleasan acquaintance was speedily formed. ant 1 they parted at the end of the seasol l the best of friends.
 That parasol will bring us togetne again" asserted Barbara, "see if i does not. and owe you a new Panama anyway"
 I Time went on, and sure enough tha ] parasol came again into the drama The succeeding summer found Bar l bara visiting an old-time friend an schoolmate whose home was now
 delightful California ranch. On it broad veranda the ladies rested on day after a long walk. when a sudde gust of wind seized Barbara's fatefu parasol and swept it quickly out of he ! hand. It landed at the feet of a pass er-hy. who estatically restored it t its owner. exclaiming at the same time That. blessed parasoli I should kno, 1t anywhere, and but for it I shoul have missed you, for leave to-morro, for the East. Will you let me wal
 with you this evening"
 Barbara granted a ready compIianc, and evidently enjoyed the evenint
 You know you owe me Panam | hat. laughed Raymond as he left he at Ter friends home, and I mean t claim it when I meet you in Boston. ''
 Indeed. and at what price do yo
 value your Panama ?"
 T want your promise to be my wifi, that's all" was the modest reply.
 Isn't that rather a high price for
 hat" queried Barbara, but under th
 circumstances. I'll agree to the pric,
 Bless that parasoIl will always kee
 1t for remembrance's sake
 AN IDLER. II More Vox PopuIi
 When MT. Mellen put a motion an