Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-11-10

pale. NulU0 Une contrary. I'm req as
sunset. Good omen that! The sun is
setting on my bachelor days-and my
scarf is crooked. Abr
The ejaculation was one of pleasure,
for pictured in the mirror Jingleberry
saw the form of Marian entering the
room through the portieres.
"How do you do, Marian2 Been ad-
miring myself in the glass" he said.
turning to greet her. "I--er"-
Here he stopped, as well he might, for
he addressed no one Miss Chapman
was nowhere to be seen.
Dear mer' said .Jingleberry, rubbing
his eyes in astonishment. "How eAtraor-
dinary! | thought sure saw her-why.
did see her-that is. saw her reflection
in the gla-- Ha! ha. She caught me
gazing at myself there and has hidden"
He walked to the door and pulled the
portiere aside and looked into the hall.
There was no. one there. He searched
every corner of the hall and of the din
ing room at its end, and then returned
to the parlor, but it was still empty.
And then occurred the most strangely
unaccountable event in his life.
AS he looked around the parlor he for
the second time found himself before the
mirror, but the reflection therein, though
it was of himself. was of himself, with
his back turned to his real SELF as he
stood gazing amazedly into the glass;
and besides this, although Jingleberry
was alone in the real parlor, the retec-
tion of the dainty room showed that
there ha was not So for seated in her
accustomed graceful attitude in the re-
fected armchair was nothing less than
the counterfeit presentment Of Marian
Chapman herself.
1t was wonder Jingleberry's eyes did
not fall out of his head, he stared so.
What situation it was, to be sure, to
stand there and see in the glass scene
which, as far as he could observe had
no basis in reality; and interesting it
! was for Jingleberry to watch himself
going through the form OF chatting
pleasantly there in the mirrors depths
win the woman he loved! 1t almost
made him jealous, though, the reflected
Jingleberry was so entirely independent
of the real .Iingleberry. The jealousy
soon gave way to CONSERVATION. for, to
the wondering suitor, the independent
reflection was beginning to do that for
which he himself had come. In other
words, there was a proposal going ON in
the glass. and .Iingleberry enjoyed the
novel sensation Of seeing how he him.
self would look when passing through a
similar ordeal.
Altogether, however, it was not as
pleasing as most novelties are, for there
were distinct signs in the face Of the mir
rored Marian that the mirrored Jingle
berry's words were distasteful to her
and that the proposition he was making
was not one she could entertain under
any circumstance. She kept shaking
her head. and the more she shook it the
more the glazed .Jingleberry seemed tc
implore her to be his. Finally Jingle
berry saw his quicksilver counterpart
fall upon his knees before Marian of the
glass and hold out his arms and hands
toward her in an attitude Of prayerfu
despair, whereupon the girl sprang tc
her feet, stamped her left foot furious
ly upon the floor and pointed the unwel
come lover to the door.
Jingleberry was fairly staggered
What could be the meaning Of so extraor
j dinary a freak of nature? Surely il
must be prophetic. Fate was Kind
enough to warn him in advance, nc
doubt: otherwise it was trick. And
why should she stoop to play SO paltry a
trick as that upon him? Surely fate
would not be so petty. No. it was q
warning. The mirror had been so af.
fected by some supernatural agency that
it OWNED and reflected that which was
to be, instead Of contenting itself to what
Jingleberry called ''simultaneity." Il
led instead of following or acting CO
incidently with the reality, and it was
the part of wisdom, he thought, for hin
to yield to its suggestion and retreat
and as he thought this he heard soft
sweet voice behind him.
II hope you haven't got tired of wait
ing, Tom, it said. and, turning, Jingle
berry saw the unquestionably rea
/ Marian standing in the doorway.
/ "No," he answered shortly. "I-
have had pleasant--very entertaining
ten minutes; but | must hurry along
! Marian" he added. II only came to tel