The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-03-14

Six Months. SO cenrs
l slept but little that night, for kept
thinking of the condition by which I
could become master of the mansion.
Before realized the flight Of time there
came knock at the door. 1 arose,
dressed, and stepped out into the hall,
to be greeted with CHEEKY good morn
ing. The sun rising in the East shone
on the mirrors along the hallway and
the reflection dazzled my eyes. Wehad
gone about ten feet when he turned to-
wards mirror, and touching spring
it swung outward revealing a winding
stairway. Down this stairway we went
until we were abruptly halted by anoth-
or mirror. But touch on spring and
1t, too, swung outward revealing large
vault which we entered. Ranged on
each side of the vault were stacks OF
gold; while on the floor lay little piles
OF precious Jewels. l stopped to exam
Inc some diamonds, and when l glanced
up the old man had disappeared.
Supposing he had started back up the
stairway arose to follow him. had
taken but few steps when it became
obvious that another step and oblivion
would be my fate. The oblong mirror
obscured, in some manner, the obIique
stairway, and my power of observation
imperceptibly vanquished leaving me
unable to clearly observe my proper
course. However, 1 observed that was
alone, that the wealth of tabled kings
was Insignificant compared with that
which enc0mpassed me-and that was
pOwerless to move! But recalling the
old saying, "Look before you leap"
turned my head-and, there stood the
old man, gazing at small shelf which
had not seen. On it there reposed
crown of gold insetted with dia-
monds, rope of pearls. necklace Of
rubies, several gold rings with sapphire
settings, and numerous other articles
of great value-all of them, as my host
explained, had graced the persons Of
nobility, had attracted the attention of
the aristocracy in the superbly decorat-
ed, magnificently illumed, courts and
halls of the world. 1t was with rever-
ence for the departed that l handled
those heirlooms.
"The old man stepped to one side Of
the vault, twirleG knob, door OPEN
ed, and we were in the diningroom.
After breakfast Was shown over the
mansion. Mirrors were every where,
arranged in every shape that human
ingenuity could suggest. Finally we
walked out into the open and paused
at the gate. SWELL" said my host, 81
won't detain you any longer. If you
conclude to comply with my PROPOSE
tiOn, then return six months from to-
day, and should you wed my child this
mansion and all you have seen becomes
yours"
"Then l took my leave from the
Mansion of Mirrors. A few days later
was riding the range, sleeping beneath
the stars, happy among the cowboys
and before month had passed l
had concluded that to renounce
the world-my world, whatever it be to
others-will require more persuasion
than Beauty and Fortune. Fate has
outlined my career-and yet, since
got my arm broke I have been doing
some tall thinking. However the
mansion is still there and if one of you
gents would abide by the old mans
terms, then add: Success to<you.'
swell, cir, was agreeably surprised
to see those young fellows Chamber on
the stage headed for Buxton the follow
ing morning. knew it was about for
ty miles to Buxton and, to make long
story short, by the time they had got
back to Bolton was days start
ahead of them. As jumped from
town to town, picking up orders, i'm
agined how they would feel upon learn
ing how they had been duped: but it
was three years later, when was trav-
cling for firm handling another line
of goods, that we, including Sharp, met
at another hotel. When they learned
Of the diplomatic deception-well, they
acknowledged that it was their treat.