The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-11-15
HOW THE FATES
DECIDED IT.


Don't sneak so loudly; he'll hear u.s."
Don't care" is the retort, though IN some
what modified tone.
1t was All HauOw's eve, and party Oh
youug people were standing IN the vestiDuie
of R0lliston Academy. debating II II were or
were not wise plan to ask MI ST. Clare,
who ALWAYS spent his evenings at the acad-
en,y. if they might come there at u O'Clock
and consult the FateS on the possibilities OF
the future.
yes. Josie" acquiesced all, you so.
You can coax him better than we can"
of she started, saying 'Twas ever thus
from childhood's hour If other folks are
afraid to beard lion in his den, l notice
they are always ready TO start poor me Oft
on the expedition
Then, with mocking gesture in the direc-
ton of the library, she murmured "Ia-ta.
Arthur St. Claire was very young. In
short he was as different from the average
academy principal as could well be mag
ined. A college graduate OF but few
months standing, this was his first expert
ence in teaching.
The work was hard, occupying all his
time but the true grit aud earnestneSs OF
purpose which had enabled him to work his
way through college as successful student
Tonight, sitting there arranging for the
morrow's examinations, he looked really
handsome.
Tall, dark, straight as an arrow, with
clear-cut features, determined mouth, and
his eyeS-wel, every one remarked 81.
Caire'S eyes. They were sloe-black, long
and lazy locking ey es, and had very as
agreeable way OF seeming to read ones very
soul.
His pupils often declared that his chief
power of government was IN his eyes.
Hearing step be looked up, and pereely-
ing a lady Immediately arose and advanced
10 meet her. Barely giving him 4 nod of
re cosntiOu, Josie preceded at once to buSl-
ness.
Mr.. st. Claire, may we borrow the base
ment stairs and the mirror from the dress
mgr ON to-night?"
Then, seeing his look Of bewilderment,
she added: You know this Is All Hal
lows eve, and if you go down some cellar
stairs at l. o'clock backward, and look into
mirror you will see the person you are to
marry. Please say yes, Mr.. St Clalre2'
A." 1t ought to be easy to say so small
word" smiling, SO guess l shall have TO
say 1t. Is Burton among your party?' he
asked, going Tor the keys.
- Yes. sir he is" with the slightest touch
Of sarcastic emphasis on the - sir.
" Then | will give you the keys, as l shall
go home before that hour. You can have
Burton lock the doors, and return the keys
in the morning.
You are very kind, sir, to let US take
them, she replied.
He did wish he knew ii she were trying
to make fun of him
Good night, Miss Russell" he said, as
he held the door open for her TO pass. " l
hope you Will see the elected one"
Thanks but he is not elected yet; the
campaign is only just beginning"
Soon after she left an idea struck him.
which lie evidently considered to be brill
liant one, for he gave a. long low Whistle,
then became very much engrossed in his
work, writing steadily until II o'clock, when
he carefully eXtlnguished the lights, and
taking the mirror, placed it on ia bic in the
hall, beside small lamp, and quietly de-
scended the basement stairs.
AT II :45 the larty had again assembled in
the YeSubule, and were trying to decide
what tricks to try.
No ole was found willing to try the stairs
but josie. After all their courage one after
another gave u, saying they knew they
would be dizzy and tall, or something dread
full would happen, and something else
would do just as we'll.
Il think you're real mean," cried Josie,
'after | asked Mr.. st. Claire if we could
stay. Thank goodness I'm not afraid. can
go il you can't"
Nov, we must get ready. for it's almost
II. If l faint, send somebody 10 pick me
up" and snatching the mirror she started
for the basement.
/ he door closed with a bang that seemed
to find hundred echoes in the large hollow
building, and made her ShiVer in spite of
herself
How awfully dark it was, and how silent.
A board creaked loudly under her feet, and
she trembled like a leaf.
Why must that ghost story Tom told the
other evening come so wildly to her mind?
BY this time she Was half way down the
stairs, and then her courage began to re-
yiye.
Well, Pm not dead yeti she thought,
"and | guess ! shan't be right away"
just as her foot touched the last stair the
village clock struck the hour of midnight.
At the same time she saw breaking light
In the III rrOT, and the face of Arthur st.
Claire looked over her shoulder for min
ute and then was gone
Thoroughly frightened for once in her
life, Der FIST impulse was to scream, but The
thought Of being laughed at by tile others
gave her sufficient command to check it, and
gave backward glance just in time to
catch sight of tall man erouchng behind
the furnace.
She was not in the least afraid now, and
grasplng the mirror more firmly, walked UP
the stairs with considerable dignity, as
grleyed, Indignant and thoroughly vexed a
Young lady as could be found in R0liston.
They all crowded round her with innu-
meraDle questions.
Did you see anybody"
W no was it?"
DO tell US VINO? We'll never tell"
But she gave them no satisfactory reply,
ana they all went home, each wondering
what IN the world could have come over
Josie Russell to make her act so strangely.
line following afternoon JOSie'S particular
friend, Lutte Holley, came over. and as they
were sitting together In Josie's room Lutte
began:
What in the world made you act so
strangely When you came upstairs last night?
should as quick thought"
A burst Of sobs interrupted her
Well, what is going TO happen next?
First frightened, and then crying about it''
Don't you think Pm crying for that"
flashed Josie. Pm crying because Pm so
mad | don't know what else to DO" and
she began to pace the floor like q chained
tigress.
= If there's anybody in this world l hate
rs Arthur ST. Claire. Don't you think,
Lutte, size went on, stopping abruptly in
front OF he- friend. " he was mean enough
10 steal in there and try to frighten me by
looking over my shoulder"
&" saw him just as plain as l do you now,
and L was aNfully scared, but l didn't
scream, because knew you would all laugh
at me, and then | happened to look behind
me and saw him trying to hide behind the
furnace.
"Dignifed, wasn't it, for professorp
But that's just like those college boys.
Always doing something so rude and de-
testable. He is the most ungentlemanly
person | ever met, and I'll tell him so when
l see him again. No, | wont, though;
wont speak to him ever again."
On, what spit-fire, JosieI How / wish
ne could see you now. l don't believe he'd
want TO marry you, if lie could as well as
not. What domestic fury you would
nakep'
Marry! HIM! wouldn't marry Arthur
st. Claire if-if-I wouldn't anyway, therep
''Oh, come now, Josie, prophesy you will
be Mrs. st. Claire before two years"
"LItew
After that Josie most persistently avoided
Mr. st. Claire, and he as persistently en-
deayored to speak with her, but no matter
where they met, Josie always had an excuse
Tor not staying in his presence longer than
was necessary.
One evening, however, she found herself
oSllged TO talk with him. Leaving the post
Office she came directly upon that gentle
man MS he was going TO the academy, so they
couldn't help walking down together.
81. Claire was very pleasant and talka-
tive, and before she knew it She was chat
ting with him melrily enough. No allusion