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

to me only could steal in here, and, J.,
looking at it, persuade myself that
maybe you had not laid your gold
mine at the feet Off,
l paused from deficiency of informa-
tion, not knowing whether senoritas or
gentle savages predominated in the
gold mine regions.
"What lots of fun We had at this
mirror Halloween, year ago-don't
you remember? See herewith a
sudden change of manner-"are you
in earnest about my showing up there
some time in the future?'
"All right; l will make an engage
ment with you. Let's see-this is JAN
uary-say next Halloween, the night
of nights. II you want to see me, and
you have not forgotten me, look in
this glass next Halloween, and my face
will appear there as sure as fate
"Nonsens,!"
Nonsense? You don't know any
thing about it. Why, l had grand
mother who could do the queerest
things you ever heard Of You just
come in here on the night of the 3lst
of next October. Come alone, at mid
night; come in the dark, remember;
stand here, strike a match, light the
candle you will have with you, raise
it above your head, look right in there,
and-can you do anything as heroic
as that?"
"Oh, yes, if that's ALL" l said, flip
PANTY.
Cali right; dance, flirt, break as
many hearts as you please; but if in
the meantime you do not join the great
majority of your sex who are incon-
stant-come in here on the 3lst, at
midnight, and if there is bathtub in
Boonville, a Chinese laundry, a barber
and haberdasher, you'll see me right
there (pointing), fresh as daisy, and
wearing the bandsomest four-in-hand
in Boonvile. You promise?'
81 promise; but supposing you have
not Inherited your grandmothers skill
in necromancy?
"But l have; | know it; I am GER
tain of it, You must think about me,
of cours'; have faith, above all; obey
directions implicitly, and-you'll see
what you'll se.!!''
81 generally do," | said, sapiently.
| A few days after our memorable
conversation Charley bade me good-by,
and full of courage and hope, and with
many promises and assurances for the
future, set out on the long journey to
his distant field of labor and enterprise
Silence fell between US, for my parents
objected to any correspondence be-
tween US. l danced and firted; but
on the 3lst of the following October l
declined the most seductive Halloween
parties, in order that, alone, at mid
night, in front of the old mirror, l
might keep my tryst.
Had he forgotten me, amid strangers
and in the ardor of money getting?
Had some other woman already led
astray the heart too young to have
anchored all its hopes upon one woman,
albeit myself?
What did expect? 1t was piece
of folly; and yet, on the night Of the
3lst Of October, the mystic night when
strange things used to be thought pos
sible, and weird influences were sup
posed to rise in their might to weave
their puzzling manifestations about
wondering, fesh-encumbered mortals
on that night slipped from my
bedroom a few minutes before l2
O'Clock, and with fast beating heart
felt my way down the stairs, through
the hall to the long parlor which
opened upon it.
reached the door, felt for the knob,
gently turned it, and opened the door
noiselessly. As did 50 l could have
sworn that some one glided behind it
was in darkness, but involuntarily
turned my head. Had not some one
closed il? | could have swooned with
terror. Nonsense! At all events, it
was as bad to retreat as to go forward
now.
Again turned my head to listen.
MY knees touched ut last the marble
shelf which held the mirror; | stopped,
and struck match upon it's under
SUI face, lit the candle with which |
was provided, raised it we'll above my
head, and looked into the mirrors
depths.
No sound of joyous awe escaped
from my lips-hardIy, while that look
of fascinated horror filled my eyes.
My knees gave way like props sudden