Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-04-18


Scription which ran as follows:
CT, the truth and love
Ofmortals test and PROVE"
'See, see, Zoe." cried she, "here is your
airy mirror!'
Zoe started up in alarm at hearing the
excited voice of her cousin, but her alarm
was soon lost in wondering delight at the
possession of the precious fairy gift.
Its mysterious arrival, wonderful inscrip-
ton and magic powers formed the topic
Of the two girls conversation during their
toilet; but they both agreed to keep it
secret till the night of the ball.
The day passed very slowly with them.
They thought it would never end. for they
were all impotence for the advent Of the
morrow.
At last, like all other days, it came to a
close, and the long-looked-for and all-im-
portant day arrived.
All day long the two cousins were busy
making pretty little bows of various color
ed ribbons, fairy-like boquets, wonderful
dice of size fit for giant to throw, and
all sorts Of other pretty things, the utility
of which all those initiated in the myster-
les of the dance of the cotillion would I'M
| derstand
The pretty and tasteful arrangements
did credit to the girls deft fingers, and
they had only just completed them when it
was high time to dress for the evening.
| About nine o'clock the expected guests
began to arrive, pouring in one after an
other; and for some time there was moth
| ing but succession of at-tat-ta's at the
door, gathering of feet and rustling of
dresses.
The evening commenced with the usual
round of quadrilles, valses, etc., of which
the young people showed their thorough
enjoyment in their bright, happy faces and
merry laughter.
Toward the middle of the evening the
whisper went round that the cotillion was
about to take place, and the dancers soon
arranged themselves for this eventful
dance.
1t was a scene worthy the pencil Of an
artist. The young beaux, on Bonded knee,
presenting boquets to the fair ones whom
they had chosen for round in the dance !;
and each young maiden blushingly and
with trembling fingers pinning a gay bow
on the young mans coat whom she, in her
turn, had selected as partner. All the
pretty and different devices for the dance
were brought into requisition and exhaust
ed, with the exception of the looking
glass.
How Zoe's heart beat high now that the
important and long looked-for moment had
arrived. She began to quake at the ordeal
she had to go through; but the thought
of the magic tallisman she had IN her pos
session gave her fresh strength and cour-
age.
Many fair damsels preceded her to the
conspicuous seat and merry was the laugh
ter when the fair occupants, difficult to
please, sent partners away with rueful
looks!
At last it was Zoe's turn to take her
place in the chair, which she did, feeling
that it was question for a partner for life,
and not merely for dance.
The young men who aspired to her hand
felt their hearts futtering, and misgivings
beginning to arise; and each hung back,
not to be the first to venture.
At last little Lord Tompkins stepped for
ward with self-satisfed air, and peeped
over Zoe's shoulder in the mirror. He saw
his face reflected; but, oh, horror on his
forhead were written in flaming letters,
the words
"Ruin Debit"
He stood aghast, transfxed; for it was
only too true. Zoe's money was the
last straw the drowning man could catch at.
Zoe saw the warning words, and smiled
contemptuously as she passed her handker-
chief over the mirror
By degrees all the suitors went to read
their fate, and the condemnatory inscrip-
tions which they bore met their Mortified
| gaze For all had sought the rich and
beautiful girls hand for the sake of her
wealth. The poor wretches were frantic
at the thought that their mean motives, in
this mysterious and terrible manner, should
| be exposed to the whole world; till stolen
chances in the mirror over the mantle-piece
treasured them-the fearful inscription hav-
| ing vanished and they comforted them
| selves with the idea that it was only a wild
| fancy of their own brain.
The game still went on; and, to Zoe's
astonishment, she presently saw Harry
| Lonsdale's face reflected in her mirror,
with his bright honest gaze, and the words,
81 love you," standing out in bold truth
| upon his noble brow. He started to see
the secret which he had so long kept close
| and sacred make itself known in spite of
himself, and in so wonderful and unac-
countable manner but Zoe, with a little
cry of delight, jumped up, forgetful of her
| fairy Gift, which fell to the ground and