Greene County herald., 1911-11-24
MEAzEKEHAM SAHSHASE1
On Jack O. Lantern Night
By CLARA LUCY DEACON


All Hallows Eve should be observed.
All the time-worn charms were re-
lated and lastly the one which bids
the expectant maiden walk fearfully
around the house, with hair unbound
and mirror held in her hand; timidly
hoping to see the shadowy face of
her future husband peering over her
shoulder and reflected in the glass.
THAT would give a chap a fair
chance" observed the captain se-
riously. when Mrs. Bliss had conclud-
ed. ANY fellow that really wanted a
girl, you know, could arrange it so that
he might peep over her shoulder Just
as it struck eight bells"
That wouldn't be playing fair"
cried Kitty Gerrick. You wouldn't be
giving the fates their due"
Then there is hope for me-" re-
turned Capt. Aymer. with mock
solemnity. and as they laughed no one
saw the lightning-like glance that he
shot at their hostess If they had seen
it nobody would have wondered for
they did not know that Grace Gerrick
and the handsome captain were old
friends, and would have been more
than friends had not some misunder-
standing arisen between them. They
had not met for years until recently,
and the captain had Joined the house
party more as a distant relative of
Tom Bliss than as special friend of
Misc GnrTinly Mot fhD Rliccoc
suspected blighted romance between
the two, although many wondered why
two such handsome and altogether de-
lightful people should have remained
unmarried
After dinner there was music in the
drawing-room and the topic of Hal
lowe'en was not brought up again. As
a long motor ride had been planned
for the next day and an early start
was essential, the company broke up
shortly after midnight.
Capt Aymer went out on the ver-
anda for final cigar before going
III to his room. The first quarter Of
the moon was rising above the distant
mountain, and the broad path thai en-
circled the house lay revealed. The
captain was thinking somewhat bitter
ly of what might have been If the
fates had taken kindly hand in his
affairs, when suddenly there was en-
acted ;. little scene that wrung his
heart-so poignant that his memory of
his first and only love.
Kitty Gerrick was tiptoeing cautions
ly around the house with her back
toward him, silver hand-glass held
before her face, the skirts of her ,ul-
tra-modern gown he'd above the camp
ness of the path-twentieth century
assurance and practical common sense
hand in hand with ancient supersti-
ton Coming softly behind her. TAX
ing her by surprise, was youns Hazen.
With little sigh, he tossed away his
cigar and Capt. Aymer stole into the
house
The great hall was deserted and
one dim candle burned ON a distant
table. Standing near the stairway,
with her back toward him. was Grace
Gerrick, adjusting wave of her beau
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that hung over table
Capt. Aymer hesitated one instant
and than with several quick steps he
stood behind her and their eyes met
in the glass, and were held until
Grace turned the full glory Of her low
ing glance to him. IF | had only
done this years before!" he sighed as
their lips met,
1T was my fault that you did not"
she cried softly. THAT is why stood
there-and waited for you to come in
i wanted you to have your chance!"
Kitty Gerrick and her lover looked
through the side lights of the front
door and saw the two beautiful white
heads so close together Young Fla
zen's arm frightened about his sweet
heart.
Il shall never cal it Jack O. Ian
tern night after this" hreathed Kit
ty softly. as they entered the house.