n in the cab
opposite tells me he is engaged, and I do not remember any cab-stand
near this."

"There is one round the corner, which I passed a minute ago, but it was
vacant; all the world is wanting cabs in such weather. However, I can
shelter you a little, if you will allow me," and he held the umbrella in
front of her.

"No, please; I am keeping you here in the wet, and you are exposing
yourself to the rain," protested Rose, remorsefully. "I was just
thinking of walking on, sooner than stand any longer getting gradually
soaked," she confided to him with pleasant inconsiderateness.

"Then will you take the use of my umbrella?" he asked promptly; "and
perhaps you will let me carry your parcels for you," he suggested in the
humblest manner possible, eyeing covetously her flower-pot, and the
paper wisp from "Burnet's."

"Oh dear, no," said Rose, pulling herself together when it was too late,
and with an adorable frankness, which was another mistake so far as an
unauthorized acquaintance's being nipped in the bud went. "I should be
taking you out of your way; you must want your own umbrella, and I can
manage perfectly well. I am accustomed to go about by myself"--the last
piece of information given with a proud inflection of the voice which
told its own tale.

"In storm and shine?" he took it upon him to question her, with the
slightest rallying tone, and a twinkle in his blue eyes, but still with
the greatest respect in his attitude and manner--"not in storm, surely.
I shall not be going out of my way. I am only taking a stroll--that is,
I generally do take a stroll in some direction on my way back to my
lodgings. You may not think the weather nice for strolling, but I don't
mind it. I am as strong as a horse, and I certainly don't want an
umbrella. I have this waterproof affair, which, like the umbrella, is
rather a nuisance than otherwise."

She could see at a glance that he was a broad-shouldered young fellow,
over six feet, and that his kindly, deferential face, seen through the
steaming atmosphere, was as ruddy as youth and a vigorous constitution
could make it. He was evidently speaking the truth, and she could not
resist the temptation of the friendly aid arriving thus opportunely, and
so obligingly pressed upon her.

"Only for a little way," she bargained cheerfully. "The rain may stop in
a minute, though I must say it does not look like it, or we may come on
a return cab; anyhow, it cannot be long till