Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-08-10


at was a fearful experiment" says
Holden gravely. "About the maddest
thing you could have done"
Il was mad, doctor, when heard she
was to marry him. God knows / have
realized it daily, hourly, ever since.
And yet, how could she have seen me?
She never reached the door,
simplest thing in the world. Moth
ing but the old principle in optics-tho
angle of incidence and the angle Of re-
Election. That mirror over the toilet
table did the job. l saw you in the
moonlight at the balcony window when
you couldn't see me in the dark hall, and
neither of as could have seen the other
had the mirror been away. Now here's
Mr.. Guthrie. Mind you, you've got to
make amends for that harebrained per-
Torrance at Pawnee; so no word Of re-
proach to him. He's old and broken"
Three minutes later the clerk has re-
tired, after ushering Holden and his
friend into the private Office. The m
rtant the latch has clicked gray haired,
sorrow stricken man, tears standing in
his fading eyes. hands Quivering and
| trembling, totters forward and might
have fallen but for the strong arms that
catch and clasp him.
my boys friendl my boys friend
whom | so wrongedr' he falters, and
then for awhile Shere is solemn silence.
rs Mr.. Perciyals confession complete,
and have you seen itfN asks Ellis gently.
II have, my boy, at last"
"And it clears me, Mr.. Guthrie?p
utterly and entirely" the old man
cries. II thank my God was wrong
was wrong"
One scene more. Pawnee again. The
night train has come from the east.
Holden's carriage is at the station, and
80 is Brewster.
"All rightg-all arranged" whispers
the doctor, as he springs from the car
and grasps the lientenant's hand.
"All right Kenyon's just left him"
answers Curly, and then busies himself
lifting the merry children from the
step, welcoming Mrs. Holden and care
fully assisting Mia Guthrie to the plat
form.
You happy fellowl' she murmurs.
GLOW can l congratulate your It's an
nounced, is it nots' And for a moment
Ehe seems, despite pallor and fatigue,
the old buoyant, radiant Nita.
Announced" answers Curly. "My
mother-in-law elect-God bless her
says my face announced it before that
elevator could reach the lower floor
They drive rapidly up the winding
road, and, though plainly nervous and
excited, the fair guest never loses her
appreciative to say as they pass each fa-
miliar object--the lower gate, where the
spruce sentry stands at carry in sa-
lutte; the guardhouse, where the relief
is Just forming; the broad west gate; the
brightly lighted barracks across the pa
rade; the group Of trumpeters in the
moonlight ont under the tall. glistening
Flagstaff. Then come the rush of Muir
ply and Kathleen to open the door and
assist them to alight; the rapturous
greeting between the children and their
Hibernian friends; the fragrance Of cof-
fee floating in from the kitchen; the
hickory logs swapping and sparkling in
the fireplace; the old familiar rooms
the swinging lamp in the hall.
"Welcome to Pawnee once more,
Mia" says Holden, clasping both her
hands. "We've had enough Of pale
cheeks and dropping spirits We've
brought you here to recall the roses-to
win you back to JOY and health, and to
your own old room, Nita. Now will
you promise not to faint this time, no
matter what spooks you seegp
She is trembling violently. She looks
into his beaming face with eager, ques-
tioning, iinploring eyes.
"Come, dear" whispers Mrs. Holden.
I'm going up with you.
The doctor summons the children into
the dining room to see the lovely flowers
on the table. Mrs Holden twines her
arm about her cousins waist, and up the
stair they slowly go. Mia trembles more
and more. They are within few steps
Of the landing, and as they come in sight
Of the open door Nita shrinks closer tc
her cousins side. Three steps more and
in the dark chamber tlsare CLEANS that
silvery shield Of mirror between the dim
white curtains, rejecting tho dazzling
moonlight from without. They reach the
landing and Miss Guthrie pauses. breath,
less, unnerved She can go no farther
"Nita, it was no ghost you saw" whis.
pers Mrs. Holden. "Shall l cali himY
One instant the blue eyes dilate, wild
with hope, incredulity, joy and fear, all
intermingled, Then there is the sound
of a quick, springing step along the hall
A tall, dark haired, dark eyed soldier
fairly leaps toward them Nita turns
quickly at the sound, and then with out
stretched arms throws herself forward
to meet him. No terror, no anguish
now, but. as she is clasped to his heart
Joy unutterable in her stihed cry, in The
one word aroldw
THE END.
CLAIMS and Clam Chowder.