Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1911-10-31

| she VAS feallui of disco very, and she
undergo X her fancifui expedition was
made known
| So when She felt the briers catching
her serge skirt she / aew she was on
/ the borders of the rose garden, and she
| turned and walked Is directly as she
could in the opposite direction. and as
her feet grated against gravel she
/ opened her eyes and was relieved to
see the faint blur of white trimmings
| that outlined the windows of her
| home.
Eve knew the path well. and it was
with entire confidence and newborn
courage that she shock out her gold.
en- fleece of hair, held the mirror be-
fore her face and slowly began to walk
| backward around the path.
If the charm held good. and Una Bid
well had assured her it was in*aIiible.
Eve knew that before she ri iincd
the starting point she wouiu 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 SPAWNED the
back premises, under the rose trellised
| pergola on the south. and the mirror
remained black void. Eve knew she
would die of terror If a 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 II 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 glimpse of handsome fea-
lures, and the mirror dropped to the
ground as Eve struggled to free her.
| self.
1t was easily done. for her captor
made no attempt to hold her. Indeed,
| it 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-ho. So you are tempting the
fates, Lucinda?' he laughed pleasant
ly.
Lucinda was the name of Judge Beck
| er's black cook, and Eve was eager
to grasp ut this mistaken identity.
Eyes" she said as huskily as she
could. Lucinda had voice like fog
siren.
A hand caught her thick golden hair
and held her prisoner. 49," he chuck
led, ''you have found hair restorer,
Lucinda, something that has turned
| your woolly tufts to long and silken
tresscs?' He scratched a match and
held 1t before her lovely, blushing,
shrinking face.
The match fell from his fingers,
| and his hold Of her hair was loosened.
"Oh. | beg your pardonv he cried In
stantly. Il 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 stiffly.
II was merely testing an old charm
| for-er--scientific reasons" She was
| gratfied at her own wit in flashing
| this reply. and she went on, II might
| ask an explanation of your presence
| here in Eir fathers groundsY And
| there was 10 doubt about the question
| here.
"Your father Why, this is Judge
Becker's iouse. Lam his nephew, and
/ came e,.t for smoke before
| "Oh. iuicedr' interrupted Eve cool
| ly. Il must have missed my way in
| the dark. | telong next door," And,
| having hecrme accustomed to the
| darkness. she could now see the dim
bulk Of = fathers house across the
cxpanse 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," lie said courteously. MY
uncle promised to bring me over to
call upon your people tomorrow"
"We will lie 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.
i When she was safely In her room
once more she regained her breath
and the realization of what had really
happened A warm color flew to her
cheeks, and a little song almost burst
from her lips.
HE is handsome" she murmured,
"and Una Bidwell did say 1t was an
infallible test. 1t 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
bis uncle. the judge along with him.
Eve received him with telltale blush.
He seemed inclined to 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 young girl will see the face Of