The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-11-01
BY CLARA LUCY DEACON.

NOoPy l5AI, py ASSOCIATED
/! Literary Press.)
There was a rafting yoiley of
gravel against the window pane and
then sounds of scampering footsteps
dying away in the distance,
'Whatswas that asked Miss Ger
rick OF her startled guests.
ripple Of laughter came from the
lower end OF the table. Why, Aunt
Grace-don't you know It's Hal
lowe'en?" Kitty Gerrick's mischiev-
ously pretty face peeped around the
flowers at her handsome, dignified
aunt
Halloween? Why--dear me. I
had forgotten there was such fes-
tival." exclaimed Miss Derrick so
sincerely that everybody laughed
again. Il thought the festal rites
| were rather weird and fantastic
| indeed, when l WA cui-.- q little girl
my old German nurse called 1t Wal
purgis night and 1 rccollect she i'm
pressed 1t upon me tina. II was we'll
TO keep upder cover on that eve. fer
witches and COLLINS were abroad"
| This is a t.sn,iata century fam
tasy," remarked Mrs. Bliss cynicai'y
Nowadays we are convinced that
hobgoblins are a delusion Of the
/ ignorant and ,iocs stitn.ns. but in
AIT u tHe pCtdSjofa
We ring doorbe''s steal gates frora
the window pane3 to startle our SELL
| siblA or forgeten. reighbors"
"Oh. Mrs. Bliss y cried Kitty re-
proachfuily, what :; turncoat you
are! Don't you remember what a de-
! lightful Halloween party you gave us
| two years ago? We did all the proper
things-worked all the old charms:
We had perfectly lovely time.
Mrs Bliss smiled at Kitty's en-
thusiasm. Thank you, dear. know
fyou were All tn5 most rharmtng
guests-but ! will confess l was dis
appointed when my young people
took 1t in such q matter cffact way.
! They seemed bored win the harms.
but perfectly happy when the dancing
began. You all spoke OF Il as Jack
o'Lantern night. when in reality it
| was the Eve of All Souls''
do you really believe in those old
charms?" asked Kitty rather .,irlidiy.
and the young man beside her seemed
to listen as eagerly as she, did for
Mrs. Bliss reply
Yes, indeed" returned that hap
PLY married matron exchanging a
swift glance with her husband. why.
Mr. Bliss and l became engaged on
Halloween"
Ibid one of the charms really work
true?" asked Kitty. blushing under
the gaze of the interested young man.
Yes" Mrs. Bliss smiled remtnis-
Gently. 1T worked true and in the
most unexpected manner possible"
''In very forcible manner l may
add" said Mr.. Bliss impressively.
ut was one OF those old games
where you pare an apple and toss the
pairing over your shoulder to see what
initial will take form. I had pared
the apple and held It in one hand:
with the other hand l was to toss the
pairing over my left shoulder, only.
unfortunately. became confused and
tossed the apple over my right shout
der and 1t struck Mr.. Bliss in the
eye"
After that / could not escape"
complained Mr.. Bliss gloomily, and
AZ I demanded an explanation and
compensation for my pain amber
fright--we compromised by acceding
to fate's evident selection and were
married forthwith"
There was 4 little murmur Of de-
lighted interest. for the Blisses we're
markedly an ideally married pair.
There must he something in this
Halloween business, after all" ex-
claimed young Haxen. who sat next
to Kitty Garrick, and a. a little smile
went around the table he blushed
furiously.
Captain Aymer put in a word Of in
uuiry. Please tell us about these
charms. Mrs. Eliss.'' he said in MS
direct sailor way.
All eyed tuned to the handscre.
.White-haired Ind Sea.hron1ed naval
a $3.50 . - y s.a-l