The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-09-25
The ManWho
Met. Himself
By -DGAR WELToN COOLEY.
copyrish. 1903. by Daily story Pub. Coz

.musement in staring at his dim refiec-
ion in the mirror at the further end.
There was no lamp in the bus. and the
,nly light that nlumined the interior
was such as struggled through the
mist and the night from the shop
windows.
While he sat idly gazing at this mir
,or. he suddenly noticed that, while
t reflected perfectly his features, it
lid not reflect any other object.
His curiosity aroused, Demming
eaned forward, the better to scruti-
1ize it. Then he drew back, aston
shed.
He had moved-had moved at least
foot. But his reflection in the glass
aad remained perfectly stationary.
"Umph!" he exclaimed aloud,
that's queer"
At the sound of his voice, the side
view of himself III 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.
For full moment Demming enjoyed
the sensation of doubling 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 Cen
trail station. Hs had thought himself
alone in the vehicle. but he now saw.
instead of second mirror, man sit
ting on the further end of the seat.
Demming stared at him in abject 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!
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
his Other Being was his mortal self.
He wondered If tbs s3ul of dead man
must aot experience a like sensation,
In case 1t is allowed to hover around
the mortal remains and witness the
grief of Its living friends
IN ha Dbl
the Denver limited, and Invested 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 refreshing slumber.
When he awoke the first gray
streaks of morning were slowly bright
ening the bluffs of the Mississippi val
ley.
1t was, as yet, too early to arise, so
he lay, gazing out upon the flying
| landscape and thinking of the woman
| who was awaiting him in Denver; OF
| the wedding that was to be; of the
contemplated wedding tour; of the
coy home he had prepared for heI
| In the east.
Finally the sun came up, shooting
| it's 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 a morn
ng smoke. he returned, he found one
nalf of his section occupied by his
| ;ellow-passenger of the bus.
He did not experience any surprise
at this; nor did it occur to him as
| ceing out of the ordinary. Yet, it an.
| noyed him.
He picked up paper. but could not
read. He seemed to feel the others
! eyes resting upon him. So he laid hi:
paper aside and glanced, rather de-
| family, at his fellow-traveler.
The other was looking directly Al
him, and he saw the same feature:
| chat he had mistaken for his OWE re
lection in the bus.
| The face was aglow with amuse
ment; the eyes twinkled; there wa.
the suggestion of smile upon tn,
| face.
How far west?" Demming managed
to ask, finally.
| Denver, the other replied.
do you reside in Denver?" he ven
tured, after a pauEe.
mo, sir" the other replied, IN.
nome is in Cleveland"
"Cleveland?" Demming faltered, be
ginning to feel uncomfortable. "Why
{ live in Cleveland, also"
"Indeed?" replied the other, smil
ing Then perhaps we will becom,
good friends"
Demming did not reply. and the tw,
yazed out of the windows at the greer
bluffs rolling backward, like giganti
waves, from the broad river.
Finally, the stranger. without remov
ng his eyes from the landscape, re
marked:
/ From Cleveland to Denver is rathe