Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-28


Madeleine went hastily into the house.
| "Oh. auntiei" she exclaimed. as she met
| one of them In the hall. ''it is Halloween.
| and / know II. And Jack will be here to-
night oh, auntie. he's on the way now.
Why didn't you tell me2"
81 wasn't sure he would get here" fall
tered the poor old lady.
why, auntie, he said he would come.
Nothing on earth could keep him. He's
coming back to me, he's coming back TO
mel It's Halloween"
After supper they kept her down stairs
long as they could occupying her with
the games they had taught her. talking and
doing everything to divert her mind. So
1t was nearly midnight when she was al
lowed to start for bed. Then they wanted
to go with her.
oh. no. auntie, must go alone. I have
10 look in the mirror. you know, and then
Pocphyro is coming to carry me away
Dear" they said, he cannot come to-
night"
"oh. yes. He is sure to come-'wlth heart
on fire for Madeleine ="
She took candle and went slowly up
the stairs toward her beloved little room.
her pale gold hair cleaning In the light
and the amethyst cross shining on tho
front of her white gown. As she went up,
the tender-hearted aunts stood helpless mo-
tionless and melted with grief. Poor childi
Poor child sobbed one. Poor boy!"
moaned the other. Then they heard n
loud cry from above. Transfxed with fear.
they could scarcely move, but hearing an
little room. The door stood open, the moon
light streamed through the stained glass
window, lighted candles stood on the cab
met. on the table was spread an oriental
cloth of crimson, blue and gold. and heaped
on 1t were rich ornaments. in dishes OF
gold and silver were rare fruits and dam
ties, and odd Jars Of syrup. In the center
of the room, the rose light falling on her
head, stood Madeleine, clasped I'm the arms
of a tall and much bronzed young man.
Sweetheart sweetheart! 1 knew you
MY poor little love, my Madeleine. OF
course | came"
The explanations took nearly all night.
for Jack would not leave the house and
Madeleine would not let him out of her
sight The sudden shock of seeing him and
her dear dream come true in her own lit
tie room had completely restored her lost
memory, and everything before.
Then they sat down to the oriental feast
and discussed the dainties he had carried
with him all the way. not trusting them
TO arrive any other way.
His. experiences after the sinking Of the
ship were a long story. After drifting
around for several hours, he was picked up
by boat load of sailors, and In an open
boat with scanty provisions they had tossed
for weeks. Cast on the shore of japan
he was half dead from exposure and
couldn't tell his name to those who carried
him to the hospital. 1t was first OF
October before he was up and out. and
then, starting at once for home, knowing
nothing of Madeleine. he determined to
carry out her poetic idea in keeping tho
promised tryst Slipping up the back stairs
while the family were in the par!or. he
had just time enough to bring out his treas
ures and arrange them before Madeleine
came in.
And now, sweetheart" he said in con-
clusion, "are you ready to go with me2"
Yes. my Porphyro"
But. chid!" exclaimed the startled
aunts, 1T is nearly 3 o'clock"
Dear ladies', said Jack Leland I'VE
have waited a year and more. 1t IS Hal
loween, this is my Madeleine. I have come
for her and l must take her with me The
carriage is waiting and a minister's in it.
We want TO be married in this very little
room at once. and then I'll take my love
away. You will go with me, dear?"
Yes, sweetheart; anywhere"
And so Porphyro came for his Madeleine
on Halloween.