Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-12

backward around the path.
If the charm held good. and Una Bid
we'll had assured her II was infallible,
Eve knew that before she regained
the starting point she would either
see the face of her future husband
peering from the mirror or she would
meet the melancholy fate OF old maid
enhood.
Step by step around the house. I'M
der the grape arbor that spanned the
back premises, under the rose trellised
pergola on the south, and the mirror
remained a black void. Eve knew she
would die of terror if n face should
appear in the mirror. but she felt that
death would be preferable to a soil
tary existence without love or ro-
nance.
Just as she reached the southwest
corner of the house and as the distant
Ginning OF the clock proclaimed the
last strokes of IL Ewes heart and
breath seemed to suspend action for a
brief moment. There was the unmis-
taxable fragrance OF a good cigar.
There appeared q red glow reflected
in the mirror, and before Eve could
turn she walked into a pair OF strong
arms, while over her shoulder there
appeared for an instant an astonished
face lit up by the glow OF the cigar.
She saw a pair of dark eyes and
caught a glimpse Of handsome fea-
lures, and the mirror dropped to the
ground as Eve struggled to free her
self.
II was easily done. for her captor
made no attempt 70 hold her. Indeed,
II appeared that he was as much as
tonished at the encounter as was Eve
herself but he was quicker TO recov-
er his eQuanimity.
"O-hoi So you are tempting the
fates, Lucindafv he laughed pleasant
~.
Lucinda was the name of Judge Beck
er's black cook, and Eve was eager
to grasp at this mistaken identity.
Eyes" she said as huskily as she
could. Lucinda had a voice like fog
siren.
A hand caught her thick golden hair
and held her prisoner. 80" he chuck
led. "you have found hair restorer,
Lucinda. something that has turned
your wooIly tufts TO long and silken
tresses?" He scratched a match and
held it before her lovely, blushing,
shrinking face.
The match fell from his fingers,
and his hold Of her hair was loOsened-
"Oh, I beg your pardonr' he cried in
stantly. 'I was surprised You know
at this hour"
There seemed an Interrogation at
the end of the sentence, and Eve found
herself explaining, coldly, haughtily.
Its Halloween" she said stiffiy.
'I was merely testing an old charm
for-er-scientifc reasons" She was
gratified at her own wit in flashing
this reply, and she went on, 81 might
ask an explanation OF your presence
here in my fathers grounds?" And
there was no doubt about the question
here.
"Your father! Why, this is Judge
Becker's house! am his nephew, and
1 came out for smoke before
"Oh, indeedr' interrupted Eve cool
ly. 81 must have missed my way in
the dark. l belong next door" And,
having become accustomed to the
darkness, she could now see the dim
bulk of her fathers house across the
eXpanse of lawn and moved away
from her new acquaintance.
But he caught up with her and &
pressed the forgotten mirror into her
hand.
your scientific instrument, Miss
Farnam," he said courteously. my
uncle promised to bring me over to
call upon your people tomorrow"
I'VE will be very glad to see you"
faltered Eve, fastening her steps.
THANK you" he said softly. Good
night"
Good night" breathed Eve, and,
feeling dreadfully unconventional, she
fairly ran the distance TO her own
house and let herself nOiselessly in
side.
When she was safely in her room
once more she regained her breath
and the realiza tion Of what had really
happened. warm color flew TO her
cheeks. and little song almost burst
from her lips
HE IS handsome" she murmured,
land Una Bidwel did say It was an
infallible test. IL was perfectly won
derful, though"
But Of course everybody knows the
wonders of science are illimitable
The next day the young man called,
but did not deem It necessary to bring
his uncle, the Judge, along with him.
Eve received him with a telltale blush.
He seemed inclined 20 discuss Hallow-
cen subjects, told her many legends
connected with the day. seemingly de-
sirous Of keeping her mind glued TO the
subject. He asked her If she believed
there was any truth in the statement
that a young girl Will see the face OF
the man she is 10 marry in n looking
glass on Halloween. Eve said that she
believed IN nothing but pure science,
he asked her to explain
what scientific principle she was test
ing with her mirror the night before.
Eve broke down at this, and the path
81 true love was thencefprth smooth.
H@A 10 - wopSon~- |