The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-01-09

met my view in such strange, mysterious
way. Disturbed, astonished, unable to
believe my own senses, l glanced round
behind me, and there, on little rising
ground above the lake, / saw house
which corresponded to the reflection below,
and which was, in every respect, the reali-
cation of my vision. just then the clock
of some distant church up among the bills
struck eight.
The whole circumstance and coinci-
dence was 80 singular that could not
help being impressed and startled by it.
Antagonistic though my whole energetic
nature was to all imaginary fears and be-
liefs, approached the gate of the garden,
and noted how, in every smallest partic-
ular, 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
window with the ray of light gliding
through it, it was the complete likeness Of
the house which had 80 often met my
view in the mirror. The very name of
the villa written over the gate filed me
with strange, eerie feeling. 1t was,
Ella Casa dello Specchio." 1t had evil
IDENTIFY been so named from the peculiarly
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 its 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 l resolved to leave the
spot at once. Just as had turned to go,
however, gold seal, which had belonged
to my father, and which, therefore, was
much valued by me, happened to fall from
my watch chain, and spent some time in
looking for it for it had rolled down the
hill into the grass.
had at length found the seal, and was
moving away, when the same distant
church clock struck a quarter to nine
Scarcely had the sound died on the breeze
when long, shrill cry came ringing out
of the house into the night, apparently
through the partially open window. AT
ter that, cannot describe the motives
which impelled me; l only know that
led by what was more like instinct thar
anything else, l rushed across the garden
and entered the door of the lonely house
There, the first thing / beheld in tn,
little entrsnce-hall, was girl, with fai
English face, in state of evident grea
| terror and agitation.
"What is the matter ?" asked. q"
, heard your cry. l am an Englishman
and l am here to give you any help ant
, service / CAM
"My father, who is lying ill, has JUS
} swallowed poison by mistake" she an
swered at once, for great grief is neve
3 surprised. al could not help crying GU
, when l discovered it. All our servant
happen to be out, and 1 have no one t
send to Como for DOCTOR"
81 am one," 1 said, and, with, God
5 help, will save your father"
8 1t 80 happened that that day had bee
h, moving Lottie into more airy lodging,
Q and had put my travelling case of med
t cine and instruments, for better securit
e into the pocket of my great coat, whic
hung on my arm.
l The rest is quickly told. saved, by tn
a prompt measures l took, the poisone
q mans life, and that fair girl has becom
{ my home queen. The villa is her father
;. property, and our brightest holi lays ar
v spent in ola Casa dello SPECIFIC -
/ "The house of the mirror" Whiteha
, | Revie,c.