The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-06
THE THLL-TALH MIRROR
Bf CHARLES SLOAN REID, tCopyright, 1905, by Daily Story Pub


 reached some kind of eminence after
 going to the city and entering upon a Bohemian sort of life. that. in short.
 he had .arrived:" and we were proud
 of the knowledge, for all of us had
 believed great things of his ability. though we had feared that his excess sive timidity would prove q serious drawback to his success. That this timidity Ioomed tremendously large in
 the way of any matrimonial aspira- tions he might have had there was not the least doubt. so he had been long despaired of as q possible bene- dict. Bohemian" had become q prominent word in his vocabulary. and frequent use was made of 1t in his letters to friends at home, though none of us had any but a vague idea of what the term meant. We knew something about Bohemian glassware and some other things relative to the country of Bonhemia, but we could not quite fathom the condition of life in the city to which the name was ap- piled.
 It was in the spring when I organiz- ed the touring club which eventually proved so enjoyable to most of us. We decided to 'do' some important points of interest in New England and New York state as our first ven- ture. and among other things on our program we had planned to surprise Carl Kemper in his den in New York city. In our party was Emily Mathew son. a most bewitching young lady to whom Carl had once shown an in- ciination to pay his attentions, and who would no doubt have received them agreeably. Emily thought we should have given Mir. Kemper warm Ing of our coming, but the majority overrulad this suggestion and we de- cjded to do just as Carl had written that the Bohemians always did. as a rule, which was to drop in" unex- ment than that given at the door.
 There was an atmosphere of books and things literary In the very build ing in which Carl occupied rooms. sleeping apartment and den, with library adjoining. and some of the party were delighted at once with the surroundings of the literary Kenuis, for we still looked upon Carl as ours. Finding his number I rapped lightly upon the door. There was g brief delay during which I could hear apartment. Then the door was open ed and the next instant Carl had caught my hand in his and was giv. Ing me a very hearty old welcome. dragged him into the hall where he could see the rest of the party, and a of confusion. blushes and de- light swept over his face as he shook hands In turn with the ladies. He then led the way. inviting us to enter his den and make ourselves comfort able.
 And this was not hard to do. with the many little conveniences that the den contained for this purpose. One could hardly turn round in there with" out sitting down preclpitately upon something yieldly and seductive. and the walls were hung with odd and curious pictures and things in cam vas and leather. while busts and book stands. some stuffed birds and cabi- nets of curios formed part of the en- semble which made the room one of interest. Emily Mathewson and 1 dropped side by side upon a di- van covered with a large. tawny cat skin. which stood just inside the door. We were content to survey the inter for with our eyes. while the others went on little tour of inspection.
 Just across the room from where we sat was large cheval mirror, to which I had given but passing notice. to Emily, saw that her face express ed some agitation, and she was star Ing at the opposite mirror. I quickly turned my attention in the same direc- ton. but saw nothing except the re- Election of some objects on the wall behind us. StiIl, Emily seemed to be strangely fascinated and excited by what she saw there, and knew that those things which I had seen could not have produced this effect. My became excited. and asked, turning once more to Emily:
 What 1t tt?"
 The question had very peculiar snd instantaneous effect. Her face had been slightly pale and her lips had been compressed. Now rosy flush of confusion had swept over her features. and her lips were trembling.
 Nothing" she said.
 "Only nothing7' insisted.
 "PIease do not ask me further
 Well. surely I may look from your positionT
 certainly"
 She arose quickly and little re- and went over to whore the l others were standing near window. And I-well. could not follow until l 1 had had a glimpse into the mirror ] from where she had sat. place that | was several inches higher than where | had been. Seating myself exactly | as she had been seated shot a quick ] glance into the face of the mirror. | And there. close down in one corner. | md so shadowed as to be just faintly | was the reflection of a tiny, pink and shapely bare loot. And that the original was not m artificial foot. a close scrutiny of he reflection for some moments de- ermined--for the toes were seen to nove ever so slightly. The reflection howed that the owner of the foot | vas beneath the divan on which emily and had been sitting, and that l ,nly a slight negligence in the ar angement of the cat skin made it ,ossible for the foot to be reflected in he opposite mirror. The cat skin cached quite to the rug all along, ex- ept at a little place near the end, where it lacked some three or four nches of coming to the floor.
 And this is Kemper. the timid." aid to myself, well. we can never I ell"
 was amused. and yet knowing hat Emily had seen this, I was griev- d. I looked at the foot again. It | sas as shapely one as nature could l reduce or the imagination could f.aint, | nd when saw 1t move a little rest essly I arose and hurried ovar to the l "a rfv who were then insDactfue sbrne