The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1908-06-12

:himed II Randolph reused himself
with slight start from the half doze
in which he had INDUCED.
lnvoluntarily he gazed at 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
md rose pink cloak caught together by
one slender white hand. 1t was all as
It had been before save that now
there was life in it--life In the soft
brown eyes ard In certain tremulous
movement of the pink bowed lips.
With white face and unbelieving
eyes he watched the figure step slowly
down from the frame, and he saw the
movement of the purple velvet dra.
peries that formed the background.
Sac stepped upon the wide mantel.
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
floor" she said In low. vibrant voice.
AS in dream. Randolph hastily
fetched chair and supplemented Its
Ia fyht Enr
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 GOdw he muttered. staring from
the vision before him to the empty
frame above the chimney piece.
With "A quick movement the girl
slipped the pink cloak from her shout.
ders and removed the gray plumed
hat from her crown OF dusky hair. "It
Ii only l, Mark" she said wistfully.
"l-don't understand-yet" He pass.
I'd hand over his dazed eyes.
She stepped forward and pressed
upon carved portion Of the mantel.
simultaneously there was movement,
and the painted canvas swung into
place with a little click. There was
Mistress Mowbray In her accustomed
place above the shelf. and beside him
was-Beth.
ut Is one Of Harry's jokes" she ex'
planned In low. breathless tone. "He
wrote me a month ago and asked me
TO come here and enact the apparition
OF Mistress Mowbray. II was favor
lite pastime when we were children.
for there Is a secret stair behind the
chimney. and the portrait is really
door which opens upon it. Harry said
that 'skeptical friend would spend
tle night Of the 18th here and asked
me 10 play the part. was reluctant to
do such a thing. but Harry has been
very kind to me-and consented.
They did not tell me who the 'skep-
Teal friend would be. and II was-a
surprise 10 me-when I looked down |
upon your upturned face"
She leaned against the tall back of a |
chair with down bent head and CULVER
Ing lips.
And you could have gone back-and |
away from me again-and never |
would have known" he said, n vague
wonder dawning In his eyes.
She did not reply
But you Stayed-you made yourself
known TO me-you came down TO me!
What do you mean. BETH"
She lifted her head slowly and look
RI at him through misty. Joyous eyes,
aud he understood.
Hannah's voice broke crispIy upon
the blissful silence a cablegram. Mr..
Mark tore open the yellow envelope.
1T is from Harry" he said. gather
Ing his love into his arms. and he
says. Bless you. my children"