The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-11-14

when l knew. 1t was temperament,
and couldn't stop myself"
"But tell me, how did he-who is he
what has he to do with it?'
"To.morrow, sweet"
"No, tonight"
"Well, about two months ago a man
calling himself Horace Armistead
came to Boonville. He was tall,
handsome, melancholy individual, very
reckless,v very Notwithstanding, though;
sort of careless style about him, a
certain non chalant frankness that
would make you share your last crust
with him and give him your last red
copper. What are you blushing at
And honestly am glad that urgent
private business compelled him to pass
on flying trip, incog, but I am antici-
pating.
"Mr. Armistead very promptly got
into difficulty in Boonville, when it
fell in my way to render him slight
service. Six weeks ago or there
abouts be dropped in on me one even
ing, bag in hand, to bid me good-by,
and to thank me for what he called
my kindness to him.
He was going-by the way, he
didn't say what was his destination
no matter! Your picture was langing
over the shelf that served as mantel
in my rude quarters (you see, had
left it there, hoping it would make a
good womanhater of me) and as soon
as he saw that picture he mode a sud-
den move toward it-almost a Jump it
was. He controlled himself and sat
down again, but he could look at moth
ing else.
"'That is striking likeness he
said, at last; lit might have been taken
for her-of the most beautiful woman
l ever saw. l spent but one hour in
her society, but will never forget
her.
"'1nteresting, romantic murmur-
Ell. 1T strikes me I would not have
been satisfied with one hour; l would
have continued the acquaintance
"Th.rc must have been something
compelling in my desire to her that
story, for he added:
"'It happened this way: l was a
fugitive. Why? No matter-and he
looked dreamily at the curling awoke
Of his cigar, as if it might be the wrath
of that past to which he referred. Il
was passing in disguise through a
strange city. To elude those who
we're spying upon me, l entered at
night certain house in a quiet quar-
ter of the town. l did it in the most
natural way in the world; l simply
raised the latch of the door which,
through some oversight, perhaps, had
been left unlocked. 1t was roomy
old place, and there didn't seem to be
many people about; in fact, it was
occupied by an elderly couple and
their daughter. Toward midnight l
left my hiding place and entered the
the parlor.
81 had been there short time
when, providential, as it turned out, a
lady stole in. She had some difficulty
in getting about in the dark, but she
finally struck match, lit candle, and
looked into a big mirror that was hang
ing at one end of the room. What IN
the mischief she did it for l can't con-
celve-can you? 1 have wondered o
hundred times what brought her
there it was my good angel, sup
:n,S'.
IL shall never forget her look of
terror when, as she held the candle
above her head, she saw me behind
her. I didn't want any outcry, and l
did not want to terrorize her; put
my arms about her, for she could
hardly stand, and grasping the candle,
| begged her to be calm. When she
became so, l threw myself upon her
mercy. begged her to look upon me
as fellow-creature in misfortune; not
to judge, but to help me. She answer
ed my prayer in letter and spirit. l
left the house, walked out of the city
and attained place of safety
81 don't think l gave a sign of life
during that narration; l was a statue,
but statue that would wake to life,
rest assured of that.
"When he was gone-and wished
him Godspeed with all my heart-I
thought l would jump on the first
train and come right back here; but a
better plan suggested itself, and de-
cided to defer my return few weeks.
II remembered your promise to
look in the old mirror on the 3lst of