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


this band-is it not breath too loose, do
you think?"
"Perhaps so. Yes, you may tighten
that just little" And somewhat
wearily, Miss Ross allowed herself to he
divested of her gown.
But Lucette. in rapture of admir-
alton, went through with some unneces-
sary movements, and in some way, she
could never tell just how, a pin or hook on
the dress caught in the wall covering. IL
was old, probably, and tore easily.
"Ah, mon Dieu! what is it I have
done!" cried the girl. MAY the saints
pardon me. Miss Ross, but have torn
this beautiful tapestry!"
Then examining the extent of the in-
jury her curiosity became excited. The
wall covering seemed only at the top and
bottom. She drew portion Of it back,
and with an exclamation of surprise put
her face nearer the wall. Indeed, what
is this!" she said. "Ah, Miss Ross, is this
not strange place for looking glass?"
She drew the hanging still farther away.
"Will you see"-she begun, but the sem
tence was never finished, for, crossing
herself, with cry she fell the floor.
Every trace of color had gone from her
mistress face at the first mention of
looking glass. She thought of the story
told by Maurice Southgate, only few
evenings before. Was it possible such
mirror was in existence, was here in her
room?
"Lucette, Lucette!" she called; but the
girl did not answer. Then determining
to see for herself what had alarmed the
girl, she went to the torn tapestry and
drew it aside. There indeed was mir
ror. She stood before it only moment,
but long enough to see mans face with
bright, dark eyes, and thick curling hair.
"Lucette, you must speak to me, she
cried, not knowing what she said
The girl came to herself to find her
mistress white face bending over her, and
a little later Evelyn had gone to the
next room, where she made some excuse
for begging Miss Merton to allow her to
spend the night, while Lucette sought
friend of her own in another part of the
house.
All day it was noticed that Miss Ross
was paler than usual, but by evening y
color came to her cheeks, a light to her
eyes, and she had never looked more
beautiful than when she swept down the
broad stairway in the blue brocade. She
had promised one dance to Maurice-but
would that one never come? she thought
impatiently, chatting and laughing mean
while with those around her At
length. however, the young man came to
claim her; yet though she had looked
forward all the evening to this as the
time when she wonld speak to
him, it did not suit her now to
do so. but as the waltz ended,
and they walked slowly toward the far
.ler end of the room, she asked sudden
ly, Are you engaged for the next dance,
Mr. Southgate!"
Her companion looked down at her in
surprise, as he answered that he was not.
"Then will you come with me?" she
said hurriedly. II don't wish to dance,
but have something to say to you.
Where can we go?"
In wondering silence Maurice led the
way to the conservatory, found her a seat,
aud stood waiting before her. mo one
is near US now, )" he said, as she did not
speak.
II wanted to tell you, she began, then
speaking nervously, for think it is you
who should know it first; [ wanted to tell
you that have found tlfe mirror!"
Found WHAT" in amazement.
"The mirror you were telling us about.
Oh, don't you understand? Paul South
gates mirror.
Miss Ross, what can you mean?"
"Lucette. my maid, found it quite by
accident.
Tell me all about it, please"
She told him then OF how it had come
about. and little later they were out in
the hall, where they met their host.
"Can you spare us a few moments,
Roger?" Maurice asked of him; Miss
Ross has made discovery.
Together the three proceeded up the
stairway and entered the oaken chamber.
Nothing was said till the room was light,
then pointing to the torn hanging, Eve
lyn whispered. ut is there"
Maurice went forward and ruthlessly
tore away the silken hanging from top to
bottom, revealing as he did so mirror
set in panel of oak. To the others it
looked merely mirror, but to the one
standing before it there was something
that caused his face TO pale. "Come here,
Roger" he said.
The man went over beside him, and
then started back. "For heavens sake,
Maurice, what does this mean?" he asked,
for he doubted not it was Paul South.
gates face looking back at him from the
mirror.
A little later. and they were downstairs
once more where the gay company
thronged on as before, but again and
again their thoughts went back to that
room above.
The following day a thorough exam
nation was made in the room, and, as
usual in such cases. all appearance of the
supernatural vanished before the light OF
practical investigation. The face OF
Paul Seuthgate had been painted, by
some art unknown to any present,
and arranged in or back Of the mirror in
such way that it was to be seen only
by those who stood directly before it.
When taken down it was found that, had
any known the secret, it might have been
easily slidden one side. as it formed the
door to closet two or three feet square.
This closet contained something which