The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-10-29
VOL. 4O.--NO. 9,

red copper. What are you blushing at?
And honestly am glad that urgent private
business compelled him to pass on flying
trip, incog, but am anticipating.
''Mr. Armistead very promptly got into
difficulty in Boonville when it fell in my
way to render him slight service Six
weeks ago or thereabouts he dropped in on
me one evening, bag in hand, to bid me
good by, and to thank me for what he called
my kindness to him.
''Ie was going-by the way, he didn't
say what was his destination-no matter
Your picture was hanging over the shelf
that served as a mantel in my rude quar-
ters (you see, | had left it there, hoping
it would makea good womanhater of me),
and as soon as he saw that picture he made
a sudden move toward it-almost a Jump
it was. He controlled himself and sat
down again but he could look at nothing
else.
- That is a striking likeness. he said,
at last; it might have been taken for her
of the most beautiful woman ever saw.
| spent but one hour in her society, but |
will never forget her
L" Interesting, romantic, | murmured
1t strikes me would not have been salts
fed with one hour; l would have continued
the acquaintance
There must have been something COM
pelling in my desire to hear that story, for
he added
4" 1t happened this way: | was a
fugitive. Why? No matter-and he look
ed dreamily at the curling smoke of his
cigar, as if it might be the wrath of that
past to which he referred. | was passing
in disguise through a strange city. To
elude those who were spying upon me,
entered at night certain house in quiet
quarter Of the town. did it in the most
natural way in the world; 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 | left my
hiding place and entered the parlor
" 1 had been there a short time when,
proyidentially, as it turned out, lady stole
in. She had some difficulty in getting
about in the dark, but she finally struck a
match, lit candle, and looked into big
mirror that was hanging at one end of the
room. What in the mischief she did it
for | can't conceiye-can you | have
wondered 4 hundred times what brought
her there it was my good angel, | sup
pose
- / shall never forget her look of terror
when, as she held the candle above her
head, she saw me behind her | didn't
want any outery, and | 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, threw myself upon her
mercy. | begged her to look upon me as
a fellow creature in misfortune mot to Judge,
bu, to help me. She answered my prayer
in letter and spirit. | left the house, walked
cut Of the city and attained place of
safety
81 don think gave sign of life dur
Ing that narration; was 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; bat better plan suggested
itself. and decided to defer my return
few weeks
II remembered your promise to look in
the old mirror on the 3lst of October; and
just suppose, said TO myself, just suppose
| should surprise her improbable, sa it
seems, beforethat old mirror on next Hal
loween She Il be obliged to forgive me in
in self defense And before the next
Halloween we were married !