The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-05-17

Gray clouds scudded across the face
Of the moou high In the heavens; the
leaves fell in brown showers at her
feet and all about the dead garden the
tall shrubs stood like shadowy forms.
But Dorinda was not afraid of her
garden even at midnight and just as
the clock struck IL she picked up her
blue skirts, and, holding the mirror be-
fore her, walked backward around the
house.
Many HGllowe'ens ago Fate had
shown her Dan Fuller's handsome face
in the mirror beside her own and she
had turned to find his arm about her
waist. Tonight she made the circuit
OF the house with a heart beating as
wildly as 1t had Is years ago, and when
she stood again before the side porch
the moonlight revealed no face save
her own, pale and quivering
With gesture Of disgust she tossed
the mirror into the shrubbery.
"Dorinda Mills. you're the silliest lit
tie fool! Don't you know that you've
just got to live all alone the rest Of
your life and sew and sew and sew!"
She broke into a little sobbing laugh
and turned to enter the house.
A shadow detached itself from the
tall shrubs and came across the turf.
"DOrinda Mills" said the shadow in
strangely familiar voice-a voice
that belonged to Dorinda's youth.
What do you want?" asked Dorinda.
coldly. Who are you?"
The shadow evolved itself into q
mans tall form. He paused before her
and turned his face toward the moon
light. Daniel Fuller" he said. quietly.
Obi" said Dorinda, breathlessly.
Il came to see you earlier this even
ing-I rang the bell, but you did not
answer l came around the house and
found the shutters closed. supposed
you were away and SO sat in the gar
den awhile-we used to sit there.
Dorinda, you remember"
Dorlnda nodded her brown head.
1T Is not much like the garden l re-
member, that was full of roses" he
said, musingly. you remember that.
too, Dorinda?"
Yes" she said, slowly.
Il remember verything-everythi
and because l did remember | came
back tonight am going away to-
morrow, and next week | must leave
on an extended western trip-will you
forgive a fool. Dorinda. and marry
him and 60 along. too?" He drew
nearer and caught her hand in his own
warm grasp.
Mono" she cried sharply, lean
ing against the pillar of the porch. II
canot do that"
why not?" he demanded. Then
you don't care for me. OF course, after
all these years you would forget" he
said, hopelessly.
Il have not forgotten" she retorted;
"only-only you saw me running
around the house with that ridiculous
mirror-and you are sorry for me-and
you are asking me out of PITY"
Nonsense, Dorinda darling; want.
ed to run and take you in my arms as
did once before-you remember.
dear? But did not dare. How could
know that the years had not changed
you?-and that you were not looking
for another fate? But when saw
your little white face In the moonlight,
l could not resist coming. You will
not send me away-we need each
other" His arms were about her now.
and still she withdrew from his en-
brace.
THE paper said you were coming
back at Christmas to marry-some-
one," she said, looking into his eyes
wistfully.
THAT was some of Benson's foolish.
ness. He puts that stun in his paper
just to raise laugh. There isn't any
one else, Dorinda; there never has
been and there never will be anyone at
all unless you marry me next week
and we take that western trip to-
gether."
Il suppose | might as WELL" said
Dorinda; although the mirror OF fate
didn't reveal your face to me. Dan. I
shall never be happy without you!"
Your eyes are the mirror of nv
fate, Dorinda. Look in mine and Won
will see your own sweet face"
And yours in mine, DAN" she wh,..
pered. softly