The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-04

IHlS 10 MY FRIEND, MISS GRA1.
tion to again spend Christmas at
Beechwood. This invitation he accept
ed, stpulating that he should again
sleep in the haunted room.
"Of course that can be arranged"
laughed Herbert; 'indeed, l doubt if
anyone else will care about spending
their nights there
Bob had not told Herbert a word
about his experience. while Herbert
had scarcely referred to his last visit.
"Of course you'll not object to meet
ing the girls this time?" continued Her.
bert. You've altogether changed since
last Christmas"
yes, I have" replied Bob, with
sigh
And you seem downright miserable.
too, in spite of your good luck" said
Herbert. wait a bit. there are some
nice girls coming to Beechwood. You'll
fall in love, and be as happy as a
king"
IF falling in love would make me
happy l should be the happiest man
alive" replied Bob.
"Nonsense!"
Fact, old man."
but who Is she?"
81 don't know"
Whats her name?"
II don't know
"Absurd Why, where did you see
her?"
Il never saw her.
Herbert asked many other questions,
but Bob made no further confession,
but instead began to ask questions.
You say you have a cousin who lives
with your father; what sort of a girl is
she?"
"A right jolly girl" replied Herbert.
II call her cousin, although she's really
no blood relation. Look, here Is her
Photograph
Bob looked at It eagerly. and then
gave a sigh of disappointment. 1t was
not his face"
ON Christmas eve, Bob went to Beech
wood. He tried to get away earlier,
but his practice had increased, and he
had to stay in London as long as pos
sible. 1t was quite dark when he drove
up to the door, but on entering all was
brightness He heard the laughter Of
girlish voices, and contrasted this visit
with the last. He went straight to his
room, and as soon as he entered looked
towards the mirror, as If he expected to
see the face which had haunted him.
But it was not there. He threw himself
into an armchair, put his feet on the
fender just as he had done a year be-
fore, and gazed at the smooth surface
of the glass long and steadily, as if
trying to conjure up the vision of
year ago; but in vain. He could see
nothing but the reflection of the room,
while the only sounds that reached his
ears were the shouts of girlish laugh
ter in the rooms near by.
Bob went into the drawing room with
a heavy heart. He looked eagerly
among the faces there, but he could not
see the one he sought. Eunice Lister
introduced him to each one; he spoke
coldly and mechanically, and the girls
thought him an 'awfully severe-looking
and disagreeable man."
Presently the dinner-gong sounded,
and at the same moment the door
opened: his heart gave a great bound,
the blood rushed madly to his head,
while the room and all in it seemed
to whirl around him.
In the doorway he saw the face that
had haunted him, the face he had seen
In the mirror.
"Oh. Mary. here you are at last"
cried Eunice Lister. "Mr. Graham, this
Is my friend, Miss Gray"
Bob felt as brave as lion then, and
the hunger in his heart ceased. He
caught her hand in his; it was hot
and feverish. 1t trembled like an i'm
prisOned bird.
Miss Gray" said Bob, as he took her
into the dining-room, II have seen you
before. Have you seen me?''
Her face crimsoned, but she did not
speak.
1T was you I saw that night-a year
ago. You need not answer. I know it
was you. I've searched for you ever
since. I've something to tell you pres
emily. there is something you must tell
me-"
Bob wondered afterwards that he
dared to speak ike this, wondered that
she did not resent his words: but at
the time he felt he could say nothing
else.
Just before dinner was over. Bobwho
had been very quiet for some time,
spoke again You must go into the
garden as soon as the rest of the ladies'
are in the drawing-room." he said, land
I will follow you. There is something
! must tell you. something you must
hear"
She looked into his eyes. She begun
to utter a refusal. but she spoke no
word. Then Bob knew that the great