Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1921-02-10
The
Green Umbrella


from the skies. But Theodore had
reached the stage where she could see
no beauty in 1t. AT night the tire
some rat-tat-tat on the caves was only
monotonously weariseme, and at twi-
light---as 1t was now--it was madden
ing.
ii think" said Theodore aloud, III
II keeps Up much longer | shall" she
didn't quite decide what she should
do, for suddenly looking about the com
Portable sitting room she knew she
couldn't stay in II one moment longer.
She hated 1t. She hated the pretty,
gray wall paper and the prints that
she had found at a quaint little book
shop and had framed herself. She
hated the long mahogany davenport
with Its wavy back and comfortable
cushions and the low chair by the sec
rotary, and the secretary itself with
It's shining glazed panes OF glass.
For everything In this room meant
struggle 10 Theodore the struggle to
make a charming, Iivable home for her
self and viii. They had come TO this
strange mill town to live and Theo-
dora had had high hopes. She would
make real home for her only broth
er, SO that comfort would wrap him
round. What fun II would be TO keep
house and make friends and bring
them here TO pleasant, glowing
roomi
And this was the way It had turned
out. VIII was seldom home. and when
he was, he was too tired or too busy
or too Interested In reading some
stupid article on mechanics even to
notice the flowers Theodorn had ar
ranged SO carefully on the desk, nor
did he speak Of the dessert that II had
taken her an hour 10 make. VIII was a
dear in his way. but that was bache.
Tor way. Theodore admitted truth
fully.
She was sure he would have been
quite as happy living in club. or
even In dingy boarding house where
he could have things rs untidy MS he
chose.
As for friends. Theodore had dis
covered that they could not be found
on every corner And one cannot take
up ones whole true writing 10 the
girls that live three hundred miles
away
She stood 10 her tiny square OF n
white bedroom and looked at herself
resentfully, and then abe shook a
finger at her reflection. 1T all comes
OF being gooser she said severely.
"Y0u thought--you know you did
that WIN would have friends OF bis
own. and that they would Ike you and
you would have very nice time all
together"
She pulled soft sttie hat over
her soft brown hair and drew on her
raincoat over her slim shoulders and
put her feet into shining new rubbers.
Then she looked at herself, NJ the
hazel eyes and the white skin and the
piquant tip-tilied nose and said swell,
II people don't want 10 know me,
don't want 10 know themi"
Just IN time Theodore remembered
to get her green umbrella. She closed
her door behind her and put the house
key 10 her pocket and started out IN
the slnnting ruys Of rain. Under her
feet the water gurglcd and lay In pools
OF hidden deepness for the sidewalks
OF Ware were none toe even
She went on bllndly for moment,
holding with all the strength she Ind
TO this uninterrupted handle. and Then
she henrd curt voice say; Look
where you're goIngir
"0hi~ cried Theodore, and straight.
ened up and saw IN the gray light that
she had plunged her umbrella into the
neck OF a stranger who had been com.
Ing toward her with bent head.
I'm afraid" said Theodore. II may
have hurt your
"OnIy choked me bit" the man
said gruff1y.
The rain was dripping from his hat
In little rlvulets and his shoulder
were glistening with drops; but Theo-
dora, looking into his half-angry face,
was suddenly too full OF laughter to
stop.
She had delightful little laugh, Il
sounded Ike birds note and a sue
cession OF trilIs: but the man seemed
to find nothing pleasant In It.
when you're through" he said In
that came grur voice. II should be
much Obliged II you would try to un.
tangle me-"
II was true that the cord Of her nm.
brella had managed TO wind itself into
one OF his buttons with hidden maleyo-
lence; but with twist OF her fingers
Theodore set him free.
II hope" said Theodore, ''that you
won't suffer any bad Effects The mis-
chief In her tone was not hidden from
the man.
He looked at her, and Theodora's
heart gave a funny, queer leap, for his
eyes were dark and fine and full OF a
trembling Intensity. aud In spite OF the
rough woFkman's clothes she was won
derfully drawn to him.
"Thls isn't the best place for walk
Ing he said grayeIy. II should adj
wise you"
"Thank YOU Theodora answered as
seriously, "but you see hive 10 come
this way"
She wondered as she pIodded up the
dark, muddy hill why she had told
him such nb. She knew he didn't
believe her and he was probably only
trying TO be polite.
"I'll show him." said Theodora.
that It wasn't fib."
The rain bad not stopped the next