The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1890-01-01
A REFLECTION IN THE MIRROR.

Alright, 1 spelled your name incorrectly
l glanced again at the book mark
Something in her manner caused me to
scent danger. Suddenly it broke in upon
me like fash. The original had been
misspeiled.
1.-THE n-n-n-ame is written g great
many ways" I stammered.
81 spelled it E-r-v-e-n."
"You couldn't have done that"
so, yes, did; remember it perfect.
ly. Little girls are sensitive. At least 1
was, and felt your rebuke at my blum.
der very keeniy."
I was wiping the perspiration from my
brow, It seemed to me had never seen
so stern, SO contemptuOus an expression
on any woman's face.
That's q g-g-good way to spell It," I
remarked wildly.
She took the book mark and the visit
ing card from the table. "You see they
agree" she said.
"Isn't it odd?"
every odd"
81 must have made a mistake"
She concentrated her gaze upon me in
what seemed 70 cone glance Of wither-
ing contempt,
"You are very much mistaken if you
think to impose that brand new book
mark on me for the one gave you"
Oh for an earthquake, cyclone, any
thing to change the situationi
"How ridiculous" muttered, trying
to force a laugh ard put a humorous
view on it all"
She declined to see anything ludicrous
In the act. She became more grave, if
possible, than ever.
1 picked up the bOokrnark and bent
my hot face down over it to hide my
confusion. 1 had lost all presence Of
mind. by ideas were in a state of chaos.
What to say didn't know, and didn't
know what l said.
81 see" 1 stammered, "the one you
g-gave me was w-w-worked in red
hair"
A peal of laughter brought me to my
senses. Ny discontinue was complete.
fell back in my chair and covered my
face with my hands.
"You do that just like girl" heard
her cry delightedly. ats exactly what
did when you left me that day in the
school yard, and 1 thought about my
blunder in spelling. Only covered my
face with my apron"
Presently mustered courage to look
at her.
"Who made that book maEk?" she ask
cd, resuming a serious expression.
"My sister"
"What made you do such thing?"
'My admiration for you"
'Nonsenser'
There is a tide in the affairs of
men," l muttered, " which, taken at
the flood -
81 have admired you" said, humbly,
sever since hesitated.
81 was a red headed little imp"
'No," 1 went on, profiting by the les
son had learned and speaking frankly.
"Then, to thoughtless, unreasoning
children you were not attractive"
'Now you are speaking manfully.
Please don't ever attempt to impose on
me again"
Indeed, I never win, if you win for
give me for this"
''You are forgiven" she said. kindly.
"But you haven't told me when this
admiration for me blOomed."
"When l met you on Christmas night
at the dancing party"
ain other words, you have admired
me for a whole week"
looked at her frankly, honestly, and
meant every word l spoke when I re-
piled; ain those three days have been
crowded enough admiration to offset ten
years of indifference"
She blushed and lowered her eyes.
sit has not been only admiration" 1
went On "For three whole days have
been madly in love with you"
She leaned back in her chair and drew
a long, long sigh
''You krow that speak the truth"
''By your past record?"
"No, by my sincerity. You can see it
in every feature; my voice, my eyes, my
whole being"
She sat with her eyes fixed on spot
in the carpet, occasionally raising them
to mine as though wondering whether
was worthy of credence.
ST don't believe word you say"
But I saw that the tide had turned;
that she was wavering. My want of
reputation with her for truthfuIness was
certainly great barrier in the way of
my convincing her Of my sincerity, but
did not despair, for knew that what
I said was only too true. For half an
hour continued the attack, she parry
ing every thrust, and continually re-
Winding me of my recent deception; but
the quickest way to convince is to be
really in earnest, and this gave me the
victory.
"lt's so sudden, she said.
eve have loved each other for a
week, urged
yours may have been since then.
ming
"Yaus'"
"Has lasted ever since you fought for
-