Evening journal., 1892-11-22

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
with the woman he loved It almost
made him jealous, though. the reflected
Jingleberry was so entirely independent
of the real Jingleberry. 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. I'm other
words. there was a proposal going on in
the glass. and ,Iinglebsrry 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 Macian that the mirrored Jingle
berry's words were distastelul to her
and that the proposition be Was making
was not one she could entertain under
any CIRCUMSTANCE. She kept shaking
her head. and the more she shook 1t the
more the glazed Jingleberry seemed 10
berry saw his quicksilver counterpart
fall upon his knees before Marian Of the
glass and hold ont his arms and hands
toward her in an attitude OF prayennl
despair, whereupon the girl spraug TO
her feet. stamped her left foot furious
ly upon the iloor and pointed the unwel-
come lover TO the door.
Jingleberry was fairly staggered
What could be the meaning Of 50 extraor-
dinary a freak Of nature? Surely it
must be prophetic. Fate was kind
enough to warn him in advance. no
doubt. otherwise it was a trick. And
why should she stoop TO play 50 paltry n
trick as that upon him: Surely fate
would not be 50 petty No It was a
warning. The mirror had been SO af-
footed by some supernatural agency that
itdivined and reflected that which was
to be, instead Of contentng itself 10 what
Jingleberry called "sinultaneity." It
led instead of following or acting CO.
incidently with the reality, and It was
the part of wisdom. he thought for him
to yield 20 its suggestion and retreat,
and as he thought this he heard a soft,
sweet voice behind him.
Il hope you haven't got tired Of wait
ing. Tom" it said. and, turning, Jingle
berry saw the unquestionably real
Marian standing in the doorway.
NO" he answered shortly. I'll
have had a pleasant-very entertaining
ten minutes; but must hurry along.
Marian" he added. II only came to tell
you that / have a frightful headache
and-er-l can't very well manage &c
come to dinner or 90 to the opera with
you tonight"
"Why. Tom pouted Marian, Il an
awfully disappointed. / had counie,
on you, and now my whole evening vii
be spoiled. Don't you think you car
rest "A little while, and then Conner
s'Wel. IL want TO- Marian" said
Jingleberry. "hutto tell the truth ! Fl
really am afraid am going TO be i'll
I've had such a strange experience thii
afternoon. p
"Tell me what it was suggested
Marian sympathetically, and. .Jingleberrl
did tell her what it was he told he
the whole story from beginning to end
what he had come fer. how he had hap
pened 10 look in the mirror and what h
saw there, and Marian listened atten
lively to every word he said. Sh
laughed once or twice. and when he ha'
done she reminded him that mirrors ha'
a habit Of reversing everything. an,
somehow or other .IinglebeFry's head
ache went. and-and--well everything
went.-John Kendrick Bangs in Chicng
Post.