A BLUE UMBRELLA.

Evening Star, Issue 10808, 17 December 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

A BLUE UMBRELLA.

" Colonel, why did you never marry?" If a cyclone had struck the sharp-featured man who sat with his feet elevated upon the iron railing of the verandah it could not have caused him to start up more quickly. He snipped the ashes from his cigar, paceti to the farther end of the verandah, and returning to the questioner's side he said: " Harry, what made you ask me that question?"

The young man, upon whose shoulder the other's hand rested lightly, lifted his eye*. Evidently the Colonel was deeply moved. "Why, all men marry; that is, men ol means or—anyhow they should marry." " But you have not married." " And for a good reason ; I am not able." " But you could support a very comfortable household if you were not—well, what you are," said the Colonel, as he moved away. " Ah! Hold on, Colonel! do not leave me in that—he's gone!" The other, paying no attention to his words, went down the broad steps and walked slowly away in the moonlight. " I know what he means; he might just as well have told me in so many wordsspendthrift ! Hang it all! I know very well that I am careless about finances and all that sort of thing. If I had been forced to work early I'd know the value of dollars, and be a very different sort of chap now. Ah, well! Life is too short to fret over mistakes gone and done for. Edith Lisle is a—here she comes now."

Was it the tap-tap of tiny feet or the frou frou of snowy skirts that made Harry Lancaster's heart throb tumultuously? It was both—and the fact that the woman he loved more than kill others was nearing him. Rising, he tossed his cigar away, lifted his hat, and offered the charming creature in white a chair.

" Do not disturb yourself, Mr Lancaster; I merely came for a'brief walk up and down the verandah. Isn't it a lovely evening?" " There was a witchery in the tones of t'»?t low, sweet voice. Harry's heart pumped away more vigorously than ever. If the verandah roof hadn't been eave-fringed with ivy the moonlight would have disclosed the hot flush that mantled the young man's face. "It is indeed a delightful evening. If you will not rest here for a few moments will you oermit me to offer vou my arm for the stroll?"

She laid her dainty hand upon his arm, and the pair strolled slowly to the farther end of the verandah. They turned to retrace their steps when Edith said: "Was not that a firefly? Over there among the bushes to the left? See, there it is again, and such a glowing one, too! There, it has disappeared." " It may be a firefly, but it is my opinion that Colonel Drake of the regulars is "smoking a cigar out there among the shadows," said Harry. "Is that charming old bear here?" she suddenly asked, allowing her hand to slip from the other's aim. " He came this afternoon." " And as I was not down to tea I did not meet him."

" You seem to be acquainted with the Colonel, Miss Lisle." " Fairly, but really I ought not to have spoken so shockingly about a fine gentleman. Ho is quite engaging—but I detest that absurd idea about his strange umbrella." " Umbrella? What umbrella, may I ask?" inquired Harr-. puzzled at her remark. "Why. have you never heard about the Colonel's umbrella?" "Never."

"Colonel Drake possesses a blue, oldfashioned umbrella, which is supposed to be a very potent love charm, or something lil-c that. Plainly, so it is told, when he invites a lady to share its shelter against the rain her heart is won forthwith. Strange, is it not?"

" Absurd! Have you ever " " No, not vet."

" I should iiot like you to accept its shelter ever—though I do not believe in such silliness," softly said IHarry. If she understood his meaning she was coy of acknowledgment, for, lifting her hand to his arm again, the pair resumed the stroll just in time to meet the Colonel as he ascended the steps. The Colonel lifted his hat and passed indoors, while Harry and Edith strolled and chatted the hours away. The next morning Harry Lancaster's heart sank when he looked from the window and saw the leaden elouds scurrying along ih-3 darkened sky. ■ " Rain! And I was to take her for a drive! Well, I suppose I must make the best of it and while away the time in the parlors," muttered he, as he performed his toilet.

When he entered the dining room he saw that Miss Lisle's chair was vacant. Ah! the Colonel's chair, too, was vacant! Over his coffee Harry made the resolve to make a break before night. He would ask her for that dainty white hand. He felt in his heart of hearts that she did not dislike him. On the contrary, as he recalled the pleasant past there was more than mere friendliness in the depths of her beautiful blue eyes last night as they strolled along the verandah.

After breakfasting he went to the smoking room and seated himself near a window overlooking the white stretch of sand, the curbing waves, and the foam-capped billows beyond. Ah! A couple approached from the beach. The gentleman carried—a blue umbrella! As the pair drew near Harry's heart beat wilder and wilder. It was the Colonel's blue umbrella; it was the Colonel, butr—who was the lady? " Miss Lisle, by heavens! Pshaw ! I'm a fool to think that there is anything strange about this. What do I care about that blue umbrella and its potent love charm? Bur I wish it had not been Edith," mused Harry • and tossing away his cigar he went out upon the verandah just in time to raise his hat and say "Good morning" to Edith., whi tripped by him. The Colonel closed that quaint umbrella with a click as of satisfaction as he passed Harry with a polite bow and a " Good morning." Two hours afterwards Edith Lisle blushed as Harry Lancaster asked her a question. She recovered quickly and said softly.: "Mr Lancaster, the potency of the blue umbrella is not a fiction. He is a charming gentleman, and—l always did like suldiers. I—l—thank you, and well--I simply said yes under the blue umbjelU j and I iope we shall remain 1 friends."