Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-12-14
The ManWho
Met Himself
BY EDGAR WELTON COOLEY.
toopynght. Isaa. by Daily story rub. Co

D
only light that illumined the interior
was such as struggled through the
mist and the night from the shop
+ windows.
While he sat idly gazing at this mir
ror. he suddenly noticed that, while
It reflected perfectly his features, It
did not reflect any other object
His curiosity aroused. Demming
! leaned forward. the better to scruti-
nize it. Then he drew back, aston
ished.
He had moved-had moved at least
SCOT. But his reflection in the glass
had remained perfectly stationary.
"umphl' he exclaimed aloud,
that's queer"
At the sound of his voice, the side
view of himself il the mirror suddenly
changed to a 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 a full moment Demming enjoyed
the sensation Of doubling his own SAN
fly. 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 brill
liantly lighted shed Of the Grand Cen
trail station. He had thought himself
alone in the vehicle. but he now saw,
instead of a second mirror. a man sit
ting on the further end of the seat.
Demming stared at him in abiect 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 owni
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 the soul of dead man
must not experience a like sensation.
in case ii is allowed to hover around
the mortal remains and witness the
grief of its living friends.
However, once in the Pullman, on
the Denver limited and Invested Of hat.
gloves and storm coat, his fatigue con-
WINGED him that he was still in the
flesh, and seeking his berth, he was
soon in a refreshing slumber.
When he aWoRe the first gray
streaks of morning were slowly bright
ening the bluffs Of the Mississippi val
ley.
II 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 mad prepared for her
in the east.
Finally the ssn came up, shooting
its 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
ing smoke, he returned, he found one
half of his section occupied by his
fellow-passenger of the bus.
He did not experience any surprise
at this; nor did it occur to him as
being out of the ordinary Yet, 1t an
noyed him.
He picked up paper, but could not
/ read. He seemed to feel the others
eyes resting upon him. So he laid his
paper aside and glanced, rather de-
F family, at his fellow-traveler.
The other was looking directly at
him, and he saw the same features
that he had mistaken for his own re-
Fiction in the bus.
The face was aglow with amuse-
ment; the eyes twinHed; there was
the suggestion of a smile upon the
face.
How far west?" Demming managed
to ask, finally.
Denver" the other replied.
DO you reside in Denver?" he ven
tured, after a pause.
No, sir" the other replied, my
home 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 become
good friends"
Demming did not reply, and the two
gazed out of the windows at the greer
bluffs rolling backward, like giganu,
waves. from the broad river.
Finally the stranger. without remov
J. ing his eyes from the landscape, re
marked:
From Cleveland TO Denver is rathe
a long journey for one 10 take for thu
sole purpose Of committing matrimouy
don't you tbink?'