Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1908-07-03

shimed II Randolph reused himself
with slight start from the half doza
In which he had INDUCED.
Inv0luntarily he gazed ut the por.
trait. and great wonder came into his
eyes, He wheeled his chair away from
the fireplace and stared. He rubbed
his eyes looked about the softly light
ed room and stared again.
} There was the same youthful figure,
with its gray plumed hat, gray gown
and rose pink cloak caught together by
one slender white hand, 1t was all rs
1t had been before save that now
there was life in it-life In the soft
brown eyes and in q certain tremulous
movement of the pink bowed lips.
With white face and unbelievina
eyes he watched the figure step slowly
down from the frame, and he saw the
movement Of the purple velvet ORA
perieslthat formed the background.
Sha. asepRsa upon. the vida mantels
piece, which was devoid of ornament,
and made an imperious gesture with
her hand, and as she did SO he was
conscious Of the heavy scent Of white
lilac from the branch she carried.
my good sir, pray assist me to the
ioor," she said In low, vibrant voice
AS in dream, Randolph hastily
fetched a chair and supplemented Its
height with hassock. With grave
courtesy he extended a hand TO the
lady on the mantel, and as she gave
him the tips of her fingers he felt the
warmth of flesh and blood.
Lightly she stepped down, gathering
her skirts gracefully about her dainty
gray shod feet, and presently she stood
beside him, looking timidly at him
from beneath the shadow Of her long
lashes.
my Godp he muttered, staring from
the vision before him to the empty
frame above the chimney piece.
With quick movement the girl
slipped the pink cloak from her shout
ders and removed the gray plumed
hat from her crown of dusky hair. 1T
is only l, Mark" she said wistfully.
"I-don't understand-yet." He pass.
ed hand over his dazed eyes.
She stepped forward and pressed
upon carved portion of the mantel.
Instantaneously there was movement
and the painted canvas swung into
place with little click. There was
Mistress Mowbray in her accustomed
place above the shelf. and beside him
was-Beth.
at Is one Of Harry's jokes" she OK
planned In a low, breathless tone lie
wrote me month ago and asked mo
to come here and enact the apparition
of Mistress Mowbray. 1t was q favor
tie pastime when we were children,
for there Is a secret stair behind the
chimney, and the portrait is really a
door which opens upon 1t. Harry said
that 'skeptical friend would spend
the night OF the 18th here and asked
me to play the part. | was reluctant to
do such thing, but Harry has been
very kind to me-and / consented.
They did not tell me who the 'skep.
ticai friend would be, and II was--a
surprise to me-when l looked down
upon your upturned face"
She leaned against the tall back OF
chair with down bent head and culver
Ing lips.
"And you could have gone back-and
away from me agaln-and | never
would have known" he said, vague
wonder dawnlng I'm his eyes.
She did not reply.
But you stayed-you made yourself
known to me-you came down to me!
What do you mean, BethT
She lifted her head slowly and look
ed at him through misty, joyous eyes,
and he understood.
Hannah's voice broke crlspy upon
the blissful silence. "a cablegram, Mr..
Randolph
Mark tore open the yellow envelope.
at Is from Harry" he said, gather
Ing his love into his arms, and he
says. Bless you, my chlldrenp"