Bridgeton pioneer., 1913-10-09
in SPITE OF
MAGIC
A Story For ALI
haIlOw Eve
BY LILLIAN WENTZ

the mock turquoise scarfpin he had
bought at Levy's on his way home
from work that night Then he stood
away and admired the snowy white
ness of the rubber collar that looked
exactly like linen and saved many
laundry bill by its deceptive guise; he
stroked the glossy smoothness Of his
a neat foot attired in a pale blue sock
and shiny patent leather pumps and
smiled with satisfaction. 1t would be
a critical maiden, indeed, who would
not look with favor upon Mr.. Babcock
in this festal array, for he had health
and youth and a measure of good
looks. He was going to a party, and
he was in love. 1t showed in his face
and in his eyes.
Suddenly he reached into an obscure
corner of the bureau drawer and drew
forth a tiny box. From this box there
issued small gold ring, set with
cheap red stone. Cornelius gazed on
it with quickened breath. He had
planned to wear it on his little finger
that night. She would ask him about
it, and he would ask her to wear 1t If
she wanted to- 1t all seemed so SIM
Pile as he had planned 1t, and now he
scarcely dared place 1t on his hand.
Suddenly 1t found place on his finger,
and the stone flashed as he lifted
hand and turned out the gas.
AS he strode through the dining room.
where the elder Cornelius sat reading
the evening paper. his mothers voice
halted his steps.
"Where you going. Corny? My, but
you're dressed up!" She beamed at
him over her spectacles.
His father lifted a shaggy gray head
and surveyed his son with apparent
scorn. "What you rugged like niger
minstrel for?' he growled contemptu-
ously.
Cornelius writhed inwardly. His
face flushed, and he stammered con-
fusedly. I'm going to party. l
guess I won't be home till late. Mary
Finn's giving Halloween party"
The Firms lived in upper New York.
and on this particular night their small
fat was filed to overfowing with
merry company of young people.
All sorts of paper decorations hung
from the walls and chandeliers. Jack
o'-lanterns were suspended in the door
ways and swayed grinningly as tall
heads passed to and fro. In circle Of
laughing young men and girls Mary
Finn was outlining her program for
the evenings fun.
well tell fortunes by melting lead
and dropping it in cold water, and we
can roast chestnuts on the gas stove.
There's a tub of water and apples to
duck for in the kitchen, and afterward
you peel the apples and throw the par
ing over your shoulder. 1t curls into
the initial Of the one you're going to
marry! 1t does" Mary blushed charm
ingly, and Cornelius intercepted her
smile and took it to himself.
"And what else. Mary" A broad
shouldered young man with a shock
Of thick, dark hair moved forward and
obstructed Cornelius view Of Mary
Finn.
tits for us girls to do," giggled
Mary. 1--WE let down our hair at mid
night and take lighted candle and
handglass and walk backward around
the house three times. Only this be-
ing a fiat we'll have to walk up and
down the hall. I guess. If you're ever
going to get married you'll see the
face of your future husband in the
glass"
do you believe that, Mary?" asked
thin faced girl sharply. "You seem
to take 1t like it was dead earnest.
| but
"Ask my mother" returned Mary
proudly, and genial Mrs. Finn nodded
complacently.
"Tt's true, amt 1t Michael?" she
asked Of Mr.. Finn, who murmured as
sent II saw Mike as plain as could
be looking over my shoulder. and I
married him. didn't 1? Don't be so
skeptical, Kitty; it amt healthy. Keep
young and foolish as long as you can"
The thin faced Kitty smiled politely
| and sat down near Cornelius. Things
don't come like that do they?" she
asked him. II mean the things you
want to happen don't come so easy.
| You have to work to make 'em come
| right"
| IL don't know. l never thought
much about it." admitted Cornelius.
conscious that he had been wildly hop
ing that some reflection of his face
might be projected upon Mary Finn's
| mirror
'Humph!" calculated Kitty scorn-
fully as she moved away.
1t was delightful evening. There
were much fun and merriment over the
fortune telling and the apple ducking
Cornelius was lifted to heights of bliss
when Mary's pairing dropped over heI
shoulder and formed a distinct B-foI
Babcoek, of course. But he was plung
ed to the lowest depths when he learn
ed that the broad shouldered young
mans name was Brady christopher
Brady-so he stood an equal chance
with Cornelius.