Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-01-17
I'm The Mirror.


toms tired nerves; he picked up
the menu with a sigh of content.
This isn't half bad" he unused, run
ming his eyes down the card, though
1t savors uncommonly of poolroom
bulletins; combination one; combina-
tion two'-well," with a smile at the
conceit. reckon I'll play combination
seven-lamb chop, griddle cake. ly-
onnais potatoes'-a hungry fellow can't
lose much on that-for sure. Hello"
his glance falling suddenly on a large
Japanese screen, partially hiding one
corner of the room, there's an Or
chestra, too; hope they are on par
with the rest of the appointments. By
jove! they're girls
In the mirror by the end of the
screen a face had arisen, a laughing
girliSh face, and its owner, tucking a
fat brown violin under her arm, and
blissfully unconscious of Boynton's
eager scrutiny, proceeded with much
graceful posing and sundry deft and
skillful jabs of long, blackheaded pin
to adjust a huge picture hat upon her
small and shapely head.
Evidently she of the merry counte-
nance was trying it on, for she turned
presently as if inviting an opinion
from some unseen companion-and at
that moment she caught the reflection
of Boyton's admiring eyes staring at
her In the mirror.
The smile vanished, giving place to
surprise, annoyance and swiftly grow
ing resentment; but the look of utter
chagrin that flashed over BoyntOn's
face as he realized that he had been
guilty of a rudeness was clearly too
much for the young lady's sense of
humor, for after a brief struggle. the
stern lines at the corner Of her lips
melted into the suspicion of a smile;
with a quick glance-half fun, half
defiance-she suddenly thrust out her
tongue, and with a saucy courtesy at
ton-she disappeared.
"Well If she isn't peach" thought
Mark. gazing ruefully at the empty
mirror. while a curious thrill tingled
along his nerves. What stunning hair
she has l wish l knew who she was;
somehow she seems different from any
girl l ever" He dropped his knife
and fork in astonishment, doubling his
ears.
From behind the screen came the
rollicking notes Of familiar rag-time
air, why don't you get lady of your
;ol;
ally. Mark grinned in spite of him
self.
III get even for that. young lady"
he remarked, ''Or my name isn't Mark
Boynton-I am going to find out who
you are
During the remainder of his lunch
Mark racked his brain to little pur-
pose, but as he stepped up to pay his
check an inspiration came to him
Eureka! he calculated.
Beg pardon SIR" said the cashier.
politely. why, certainly" she said
presently. in answer to Boynton's in
luiry. the violin players name is
her; she will be much pleased; whist
party at your sisters you say-please
write her address. assure you Miss
Sturm will be on hand"
Mark departed, chuckling. Wonder
what she'll say tomorrow night" he
thought. IN ask her to play why
don't you get lady" as I'm a sin
ner."
"Awfully obliged for the orchestra,
Mark" said Miss Boynton to her broth
er the following evening. Il never
dreamed of having anything so swell
as that for my whist; don't you think
1t a nice idea putting them behind the
rubber plants?'
Great. Sis." replied Mark, believe
I'll go and ask them to play something
for me- Here's where take trick"
he muttered, threading his way care
fully between the little tables
"Will you kindly play. Why DON'T
l though Miss Sturm was to be here?"
wound up Mark. leaning against the
piano in surprise.
But vhas Miss Sturm," replied the
stolid looking, round-face violinist.
gazing at dumfounded Mark In mild
wonder.
But 1 thought-that is-where is the
young lady who plays at the restaur-
anti" stammered Mark
~ vhas her." said the German girl.
impassively, 1.-The cashier, she half gif'
me the Herr Boynton's card, and haf
come to-" but Mark, with an incoher-
ent apology, retreated.
"Trumped." he thought miserably.
What in the world can it mean? That
Dutch girl is as utterly unlike her as
darkness from light" 1t came over
Mark all at once. in a great wave of
how much he had
been looking forward to seeing the
merry face that had haunted him all
day. Il will find out who she is" he
told himself, with vehement determi-
nation. If l have to search all over
Scott! am | awaken"
At a table in the far corner, unoccu-
pied, save for her dainty self. her
hands toying idly with the score card,
was sitting the girl of the mirror. 1t
seemed an hour to Mark before he
reached his sisters side Maud" he
said eagerly, who is that girl over
there? I'D like to meet her?"
Miss Boynton swept the room with
a deliberate glance. That girl with