The Dickenson County herald. [volume] (Clintwood, Va.) 1927-1930, 1927-12-22
Mildred and the Lost
Umbrella
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS

(Copyrght)
TOM REYNOLDS was asking Mil
bred for the umteenth time when
she would be likely to make up her
mind to marry him and Mildred was
smiling very charmingly into Toms
anxious eyes when she suddenly
leaned forward and stared at the
umbrella in the HANDS of the man in
the seat ahead of them.
"Tom," whispered Mildred and had
to lean so close to Toms ear that her
soft lips almost brushed his cheek
and naturally Tom didn't mind how
long her whispering conversation
might be, "that man has an umbrella
that looks exactly like Brother Freds
lin fact" she added, craning her
neck a bit, Il am absolutely certain
it is Freds umbrella-zthe one had
the misfortune to lose when ] was in
London two years ago. Tom." and
Mildred became fearfully cOaxing. "do
you mind asking that young man
where he got that umbrella?'
Mildred Have you gone nutty?
Do you think / want to question all
the people in this bus as to where
they got the various bits of personal
belongings they have with them!'
Mildred shook her head. "No--l
know that is it. Fred only lent it To
me that day in London because | had
on my new Paris suit and he didn't
want me to spoil it first thing. left
1t on the train and didn't have time to
go back and inquire as we sailed the
next day for home. Please, Tom, ask
him."
But Tom steadfastly refused.
"All right" Mildred's chin had
gone out a bit and her eyes flashed
her intention. Before Tom could stop
her she had leaned forward and in
the most heavenly voice in the world
was asking the perfectly strange man
to excuse her being rude. but would
he mind telling her where he got that
umbrella.
The stranger turned round looked
only once into Mildreds eyes. and
Tom had beastly feeling that the
game was up.
"Why no. Jim Weldon answered
with ready smile which side slanted
and included Tom in its generous pro-
portions, ''as matter of fact, got
it in London at Il small lost property
Office on The Strand. 1t came on one
of those swift showers while | wees
just outside the fi:mny little rassaG.
that leads to the Office and stepped
in"
Mildred laughed. "Well, it's really
quite funny" she said 'to see that
umbrella &gnin for l lost it on a train
in LGndUn. Ny BROTHER lent it to rle
and | felt dreadful when / lost it,"
"And I've had it with me constantly
for some eighteen months. You know
they keep all lost property Il certain
song. gave three shillings and six
pence for this" he laughed.
You know" confided Mildred, and
Tom was beginning to feel quite out
of the picture and bit gloomy, my
brother would give a lot to get that
/.
gave it to him for an engagement
present and she has always sort OF
felt that it was very careless of me
to lose it,"
Tom felt that the conversation had
gone quite far enough now and he
didn't in the least like the new and
interested expression that had flung
itself into AIildred's eyes nor the very
admiring glances the strange man
was giving Mildred.
"Wel." he put in a trifle roughly,
'what are yon going to do about it?"
"Give it back to its rightful owner"
said the young man rather curtly.
Mildred, too, was bit snappy. She