The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-03

once to her side. knew that Lotte's health
had been delicate ever since her baby was
born, and that sine was about 70
return to England for the sake OF
medical advice. 1 knew, too, that she
meant to return through Italy, but L was
hardly aware that she had, as yet, started
from Bombay, and l had not the faintest
notion that her disease might possibly take
such dangerous turn. No wonder, then,
that the tidings were a severe blow.
Lottie was far more to me than sisters gem
orally are to their brothers. She was several
years younger than l was, and she had been
hrst my plaything, then my pupil, and had
experienced pang of real jealousy on that
day when, sitting on a stool at my feet, with
her sweet face hidden on my knees, she con-
fessed to me that there was one who was
more to her than l was; one who was more to
her than all the world beside. This foolish
feeling, OF course, quickly passed away, and
reJolced to see her a happy bride; yet Lottle
was still my pet, my pride and my darling.
l will not dwell upon the hurried journey,
with Fear sitting at my side, nor the long
nights and days of dreary, anxious watching.
1t suffices to say here that my sweet girl
was, at length, given back to my arms,
after, through long weeks, my medical
care and skill had battled with death for
her During the whole of this period the
house in the mirror never again appeared to
trouble, the remembrance of it hardly en-
tered my mind.
One lovely evening in early spring when
Lottie was much better but not strong
enough yet to be moved, had been taking a
long ramble into the lovely country which
surrounds Lake Como, and on nay return had
lost my way. The sun had set, the moon had
risen, and was bathing the world in a silver
sea. had reached path by the lake. ana
was pausing to consider in which direction
Lecco lay. The scene around was all one
glory of stiffness and of brightness. A breeze
Just stirred the waters softly with kiss, the
outlines of the distant hills were soft and
tender, as if drawn by an artist-angel's pen
ell; here and there among them there was
white glimmer which told of hamlet or a
homestead; hard bya nightingale Just struck
single golden note, and then was silent
again, as il he feared to break the calm spell
of the moon.
All at once I started, and a low exclama-
ton burst from my lips. My eyes were
resting on the surface of the lake. and there,
mlrrored in its clear waters, | beheld exactly
the same house and garden which had so
OFTEN, before left England, met my view in
such a strange, mysterious way Disturbed
astonished, unable 20 believe my own senses,
l glanced round behind me. and there on
little rising ground above the lake, | saw q
house which corresponded to the reflection
below, and which was in every respect the
realization of my vision. Just then the clock
of some distant church up among the hills
struck g.
The whole circumstance and coincidence
was so singular that l could not help being
impressed and startled by it. Antagonstic
though my whole energetic nature was to all
imaginary fears and beliefs, approached the
gate of the garden, and noted how, in every
smallest particular even to the star-like
flowers of the creeper on the wall,
even to the fresco of the
old woman with the basket of oranges
at her feet, even to the slightly-opened win
dow with the ray of light gliding through it,
it was the complete likeness of the house
which had so often met my view in the mir
ror. The very name of the villa written
over the gate filled me with a strange, eere
teeling-it was LA Casa dello Speccho" 1t
had evidently been so named from the pecu-
1arly clear and beautiful reflection which it
had produced in the waters of the lake.
The complex thoughts and feelings which
the sight OF the villa and it's name called up
caused me to linger near it for some little
time, until began to fear that my mind was
going to take a morbid sickly turn, and
resolved to leave the spot at once Just as
had turned to go, however, a gold seal, which
had belonged to my father, and which, there
fore, was much valued by me, happened to
fall from my watch-chain, and l spent some
time in looking for it; for it had rolled down
the hill into the grass.
1 had at length found the seal, and was
moving away, when the same distant church
clock struck quarter to 9. Scarcely had the
sound died on the breeze, when a long shrill
cry came ringing out of the house into the
night, apparently through the partially open
window. After that cannot describe the
motives which impelled me, l only know
that, led by " hat was more like instinct than
anything else, | rushed across the garden and
entered the door of the lonely house
There the first thing I beheld in the LITTLE
entrance hail. was a girl, with a fair English
face, in state OF evident great terror and
agitation.
What is the matter?' 1 asked. 81 heard
your cry. | am an Englishman, and
am here to give you any help and service
can"
my father, who is lying ill, has Just
swallowed poison by mistake" she answered
at once, for great grief is never surprised.
II could not help crying out when l dis
covered it. All our servants happen to be
out, and have no one to send to Como for
doctor"
II am one,' said. land, with Gods help,
[ will save your father"
at so happened that that day had been
moving Lottie into more airy lodgings, and
had put my little travelling case of medicines
and instruments for better security into
the pocket of my great coat which hung on
nv arm.
The rest is quickly told. I saved, by the
prompt measures l took, the poisoned mans
life and that fair girl has become my home
queen. The villa is her fathers property.
and our brightest holidays are spent in La
Casa dello Specchio'' house of the
mirror
WOman's Rights in the Lime Kiln Club.
Detroit Free Press.
Il hold heah in my hand" said the presi-
dent, as the meeting opened in due form, "a
petishun signed by 900 pussons, prayin' dis
club to admit de female sex to membership
Ize sorry to see 'em waste much time