The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1904-11-11


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 we for what he called my
kindness to him.
"He was going-by the way, he
didn't say what was his destination
no matter! Your picture was hang
ing over the shelf that served as q
mantel in my rude quarters (you see
l had left it there, hoping it would
makes 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 be
could look at nothing else.
"That is striking likeness he said
at last, it might have been taken for
her-of the most beautiful l ever saw.
l spent but one hour in her society,
but will never forget her,
"Interesting romatic,' 1 murmured.
1T strikes me l would not have been
satisfied with one hour; I would have
continued the acquaintance
"There must have been something
compelling in my desire to hear
that story, for be added:
"'It happened this way; 1t was a
fugitive. Why? No matter-and he
looked dreamily at the culring 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 eludc those who
were spying upon me, l entered at
night certain house in quiet quar-.
ter of the town. / did it in the most
natural way in the world. I simply
raised the latch OF the door which,
through some oversight, perhaps had
been left unlocked. 1t was a roomy
old place and there din'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.
"'I had been there a short time
when, providentially, as it turned out,
lady stole in. She had some diff.
Guilty in getting about in the dark,
but she finally struck match, lit a
candle, and looked into big mirror
that was hanging at one end of the
room. What in the mischief she did
it for I can't conceive-can you? ]
have wondered hundred times what
brought her there! it was my good
angel l suppose.
"'I shall never forget her look of
terror when, as she held the candle.
above her head, she saw me behind
her. I didn't want any outcry, and /
did not want to terrorize her; l put my
arms about her, for she could hardly
stand, and grasping the candle, l beg
ged her to be calm. When she be-
came 80, threw myself upon her
mercy. l begged her 10 look upon
me as fellow creature in misfortune;
not to judge, but to help me. She
answered my prayer in letter and spir-
it. l left the house, walked out of the
city and attained a place of safety
II don't think l gave sign of life
during that narration; I was a statue
but statue that would wake to life,
rest assured OF that.
"When he was gone-and I wished
lin Il "lspecd with all my heart-l
thought would jump on the first
train and come right back here; but
better plan suggested itself, and l de-
cided 70 defer my return a few weeks.
II remembered your promise to
look in the old mirror on the 31st OF
October; and just suppose, [ said to
myself, just suppose 1 should surprise
her improbable, so it seems, before
that old mirror on next Halloween!
She'll be obliged to forgive me in self
defense. And before the next Hal.
loween we were married."