The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-08-05


paid no heed, preferring to manage his
own affairs. He would often sit up read
ing till nearly morning, and one night as
he read, that which had been feared
for him happened. A man broke in
the house to rob him. Paul Southgate
sat in his room with its heavy panels OF
oak, and in which were valuable jewels
collected during his travels abroad,
and large sums Of money. Perhaps the
robber did not expect to find uncle Paul
up, aud ready to resist him, though OF
course it is impossible to tell what he
thought or just what took place there,
but the man who came to rob committed
double crime, and Paul Southgate was
murdered there in his room. This deed
done, the murderer began looking about
for the money, when in passing mirror
which hung upon the wall he glanced in,
and then fell back with a cry of terror,
for the face he saw there was not his own,
but was that of the man whose life he
had just taken! He dared not look back
at the other face, but started to make his
escape. But in going out the servants
were aroused, he was captured, lodged
in JAIL and in due time the law took its
course with him. 1t was thought, how
ever, that he must have hidden the
money and jewels, as they were never
found. But all who from duty or curios-
ity entered the oaken room and ap-
preached the mirror saw there, instead
of their own reflections, the smooth, pale
face and piercing eyes of the late master
of the house.
ooh, how dreadful" exclaimed Miss
Merton. "But sreuly, Mr.. Southgate, you
will not end it yet. What happened
next? and what became of the mirror"
Maurice smiled. "As to what hap.
pened next, he said, II believe the oak
room with its terrifying mirror was
locked up, and the key thrown-Ive for
gotten where, but probably to the bot
tom of the we'll; and no doubt but that
each year on the anniversary Of the
dreadful deed the door to the room flies
open in spite of locks and keys, and the
mirror stalks out to the threshold where
it stands wrnging its hands and shrek.
ing mu-"
"There. there, Maurice" interrupted
his host, laughing, I'VE want facts, not
fancies."
II do believe you made up the whole
story!" declared Miss Merton severely.
But Maurice assured her otherwise.
at is quite true," he said, that my
fathers uncle, Paul Southgate, met his
death in the oak room, and have in my
possession newspapers of the day giving
substantially the same account of the
affair that have given you"
Have you ever seen the mirror. Mr..
Southgate?"
1t was Evelyn Ross who put the ques.
ton, and as tho young man turned to.
ward her he answered:
II am sorry to disappoint you, but
never have. The events of which have
spoken took place before my renem.
brance. knew in due time of the man.
ner of my granduncle's death, but it was
not until after both my father aud mother
We're gone that came across the partic.
ulars of the affair. Pm free to confess
that have searched the house from attic
to basement during my younger days
hoping to find the mirror, but, as said
before, have never found it,"
But, Roger, you ought TO have
brought it to light during the repairs you
have made about the place." said Cart.
land Jones, with smile.
"Yes, really ought" was the re-
sponse, but nevertheless tonight is the
FIRST time I've ever heard of it, but prob.
ably" he added, with an amused glance
toward Maurice. I'VE shall both see and
hear from il when the anniversary comes
around Will that be soon?"
Maurice made some laughing and eva.
sive reply. and soon after the company
separated for the night. Maurice, how.
ever. remained with his host after the
others had gone, and as they sat COM
fcrlably smoking together Mr.. Clifford
asked, How much of that story do you
think is true?"
at is hard to tell, the other answered
slowly. II once saw in the possession of
an old friend of our family letter writ
ten by my father, in which he speaks OF
himself having seen his uncle's face in
the mirror"
upon my word!" said his friend,
bringing his feet to the floor, and regard
ing Maurice gravely. That's coming
rather too near home, it seems to me.
But what became of the mirror?"
~ don't know"
"They smoked on in silence for few
moments, when removing his cigar Maur-
ice asked, "Have you put any of your
guests in the oak room?"
"There are several rooms finished in
oak: which is the one you mean?"
Maurice explained.
| The other thought moment, then he
said, THAT and a smaller room opening
from it were given to Evelyn Ross and
her maid, believe"
| Maurice started. II ought to have told
you about this BEFORE" said he, but
then, Miss Ross does not know, and she
need not.
1--WE had no change to speak of made
in that room, said Mr.. Clifford musingly.
1T is so quaint as it is. with its tapestry
like hangings, or wall coverings, that
my wife thought it pity to change it. 1.
was fitted up in its present style after
your father came here, fancy"
The days went on until but one re-.
mained before the Thursday on the even.
ing of which was to be the grand recep.
ton. Evelyn's dress for that occasion
was sent out on the afternoon OF Wednes
day, and ON that evening, as she went 10
her room, she said to her maid, "You
| NAV take ont NV dress Lucette will