The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1896-11-12

''Ihe story and voice startled me, but
i: is difficult 10 describe my feelings
when put down my paper to glance at
| the narrator"
ut was yourself?" asked Mai. Dem
nett. excitedly, as the actor paused;
and Dane nodded.
'Ies, gentlemen, saw seated at the
other end of the compartment by the
window, opposite his companion, a fig
ure that was an exact fac-simile of the
reflection which see in my glass every
day when have dressed for the part Of
a respectable citizen. 1t was myself
complete in every detail of face and az
tire"
AN optical delusion, suppose?"
| suggested; and the actor shook his
head.
NO; that was the first idea that oc-
Cured to me-that had been working
and worrying too much over the new
play, and my brain had played me "a
trick. The unconcerned way in which,
the third man glanced at me encour-
aged me in the belief, for the likeness,
unless / was imagining it. was enough
to attract instant attention. Won
dered whether there was actually a
man sitting and talking where | had
seen and heard my facsimile; for the
third man, an ordinary, everyday indi-
vidual, had not spoken word to him,
and might from his expression have
been listening to his anecdote or simply
thinking. l was relieved when he
laughed at the point when my double,
as began to call his companion, came
to the joke of the story. but when he
opened his mouth it was only to in
crease the mystery of the affair, for it
showed me that my double possessed
my name, as well as my voice, my dress,
my face. my figure.
II began to wonder then, not whether
the man at the window was reality,
but whether | was reality myself, and
il certainly would not have surprised
ME if l had looked in a mirror and
found it reflect back face that was un-
familiar to ME. 1t is strange how
quickly a single phenomenon will some
times change all ones fixed opinions on
a subject of the supernatural. felt
l must speak to the man if only to prove
whether l was awake or dreaming, and
/ seized the opportunity of introducing
myself offered by hearing my double
called by name.
"'Excuse me- said, addressing him.
hut I heard your friend just call you
"Mr. Dane" l wonder whether we are
related at all. for that happens to be
my name, and we seem to bear strik'
ing similarity to one another
my double turned and surveyed
. me through a single eyeglass in exact
. ly the same manner as that with which
I should have surveyed stranger who
!, addressed me in the train.
I 81 really do not know whether we
are related or not he said, in the voice
: use when wish to be slightly patron
izing. 4 am Gilbert Dane, of the How
ard theater,' and he actually handed me
) one of my own cards.
"There was something in the sub.
stantial nature of the familiar bit o.
pasteboard that brought back littlt
of my common sense, and relieved me
from the state of stupefaction into
, which the phenomenon had driven me
"'Come, this is a very clever trick
said. with a smile, which | am afrait
, was rather feeble. You have certainly
, succeeded in startling me. Now
should like your own card, so that
t may know whom to congratulate on ;
r very clever performance
| "Ard what did the Mystery do?' I in
quired, with interest, when the acto
, paused.
:, "1Ie did exactly what should have
t done, if stranger addressed me in th'
same manner. He became angry, ans
! asked ME what l meant, and whom
$ called myself.
well, until to-day l have been il
} the habit of calling myself Gilher
, Dane, of the Howard theater-' l wa
beginning. keeping as cool as l could
: when my double interrupted ME in i
: tone which still recognized perfect,
: as my own.
"'Well! you had better not do 81
any mere he said sharply, or you will
find yourself in the hands of the police
see that you have been initiating my
} dress, too, which cannot help. but th'
use of my name is another thing
I'VE had just reached Vauxhali, ou
srst stopping place, as he spoke, ant
: a ticket collector who knows Inc by
sight came to the door. My double
caught his eye first.
5 "I wish you would tell this gentle
> man who l am he said, and the maj
! answered promptly:
Certainly, sir, you are Mr.. Dane. th
actor
, "He looked startled when asked hin
: the same question.
"I should call you very good imi
. tation.' he said when he had recovered
from his surprise.
This was becoming decidedly un
comfortable, and / began to wonde
how / could prove to anybody that
was not a good imitation of myself. Th
; ticket collectors ready acceptance o
. nv double as the real Mr.. Dane showed
how helpless should be in an appea
l Ill