The Monticellonian., 1903-09-17
The ManWho Met Himself By EDGAR WILTON COOLEY.
Copyright, 1908. by Daily Story Pub Col

"A ment, Archibald Demming found amusement in staring at his dim refiee- tion in the mirror at the further end. There was no lamp in the bus, and the only light that illumined the interior was such as struggled through the mist and the night from the shop windows.
 However, Demming's eyes gradually adjusted themselves to the gloom and presently he noticed what appeared to be a second mirror in the front end of the vehicle This mirror apparently hung at different angle than did the one he had seen first, for the reflection from it was of the side, rather than of the front of his face.
 While he sat idly gazing at this mir TOT, he suddenly noticed that, while ii reflected perfectly his features, it did not reflect any other object.
 His curiosity aroused, Demming leaned forward, the better to scruti- nize it. Then he drew back, aston ished.
 He had moved-had moved at least a foot But his reflection in the glass had remained perfectly stationary.
 "Umph!" he exclaimed aloud, that's queer"
 At the sound of his voice, the side view of himself in the mirror suddenly changed to front view His eyes seemed gazing directly at himself.
 There were the same deep-set eyes, the same aquiline nose, the same heavy mustache, the same prominent jaws and square chin the same care fully parted hair, even to one stray lock that hung down over his fore head.
 Demming leaned back against the cushions and stared at the two mirrors in silence
 He could imagine how the angle of reflection in the one glass might have changed so suddenly. It were possi- ble that the mirror were suspended in such way as to allow it to turn, as the bus swung and swayed.
 But he could, by no possible theory. explain how two mirrors might at the same instant reflect one mans face in such opposite moods.
 Suddenly he heard mans voice say: Rather q disagreeable night, isn't it?"
 For full moment Demming enjoyed the sensation of doubting his own san ity. He was positive he had heard his own voice; therefore, he must have spoken. Yet he was not conscious of having done so, and his thought had certainly not been upon the weather.
 Then the bus swung under the bril- liantly lighted shed of the Grand Gen. tral station. He had thought himself alone in the vehicle, but he now saw, instead of a second mirror. a man sit- ting on the further end of the seat
 Demming stared at him in abjeet be- wilderment, for the mans apparel his closely buttoned coat, his trousers, his tie, his gloves. his hat his shoes, even his valise-were exact duplicates of his own!
 It was not until his fellow-passen- ger had arisen and stood, valise in hand, waiting for him to disembark. that Demming realized the bus had stopped and that an attendant had opened the door.
 Having finally managed to stumble out, he stood in the glare of an arc light and watched the Other Man alight and mingle with the throng. And slowly there crept through him an indistinct impression that he. him. self, was only his own spirit. and that RninO He wondered if the soul of dead man must not experience a like sensation, in case it is allowed to hover around the mortal remains and witness the grief of it's living friends.
 However, once in the Pullman, on the Denver limited. and divested of hat, gloves and storm coat, his fatigue con- vinced him that he was still in the flesh, and seeking his berth, he was soon in a refreshing slumber.
 When he awoke the first gray streaks of morning were slowly bright ening the bluffs of the Mississippi val ley.
 It was, as yet, too early to arise, so he lay. gazing out upon the flying
 
 who was awaiting him in Denver; of the wedding that was to be; of the contemplated wedding tour; of the cozy home he had prepared for her in the east
 Finally the sun came up. shooting its scarlet darts across the hills and dispelling the mists upon the lowlands Then he dressed and went forward to complete his toilet
 When. after breakfast and morn ing smoke, he returned, he found one half of his section occupied by his fellow passenger of the bus
 He did not experience any surprise at this; nor did it occur to him as being out of the ordinary. Yet, it an, noyed him.
 He picked up paper. but could no read. lie seemed to feel the other. eyes resting upon him. So he laid hi! paper aside and glanced. rather de fantly, at his fellow-traveler
 The other was looking directly a him, and he saw the same feature that he had mistaken for his own re lection in the bus.
 The face was aglow with amuse ment the eyes twinkled; there wa the suggestion of a smile upon th face.
 "Hcw far west?" Demming manage to ask, finally.
 Denver" the other replied.