The Adair County news., 1913-12-17
THE IMAGE IN
THE MIRROR
A Story For Allhallow Eve
Bv ADEI AIDE ri IPNuAM
By ADELAIDE BURNHAM

he had been hunting in the woods all
day. he came to a little lake nesting
among the hills. its surface covered
with fallen leaves of every color from
the lightest yellow hue to the deepest
crimson. And looking down a valley
he saw landscape that filed him with
delight
What place for a summer cot
tage" he exclaimed. Some day I'm
going to build one here"
And he did. Now. I'm going to tell
you how he came to carry out what
was but a thought.
Looking to his right, he saw the deep
red of brick chimney against brown
limbs of trees. He knew that where
there was a chimney there must be
a house and started to go and make
an investigation. He came upon
very pretty cottage. with a broad piaz-
"a around it. Queen Anne roof and
dainty windows.
And I'm jinged if l don't build a
match to that" he added to his first
assertion.
There was not a living thing in or
near the cottage, and it was evident
! that it was intended only for summer
use. Mr.. Dix went up on the piazza
and looked into the living room
through a window. The apartment
contained cottage furniture, but the
chief attraction was large fireplace.
I've good mind to sleep there to
night" he said to himself and tried the
window to see if it were securely lock.
ed. 1t was, but Mr.. Dix hunted for a
place Of 1ngress as energetically as he
had hunted for game and found one by
getting on the piazza roof-a window
not we'll secured. Going downstairs.
he opened a door from the inside. adj
hitting him to the wood house, and in
a few minutes had fire blazing on the
hearth. Then be settled himself down
In an easy chair before it, and, look
ing at his reflection in mirror on the
mantel opposite him. he remarked:
Your comfort is only equaled by
your assurance"
And straightway he fell asleep.
Now. it happened that this was
Halloween. and a party of girls were
coming to spend it at this very cot
tage. Flora Stebbins, a daughter of
the owner, was the hostess. and the
others were her guests. Mr.. Dix went
to sleep about dark, which comes earlF
at the last Of October. and the young
ladies arrived about o'clock.
"My goodness graciousr' exclaimed
Miss Stebbins There's some kind OF
light inside. 1t looks as if there
were a fire on the hearth. Wait a min
ute till l recOnnoiter." She went to n
window and saw the slumbering Mr.
Dix sitting before a fire that was still
blazing merrily. She beckOned to the
others. They came and saw the same
sight
Girls" said Flora. there is the best
chance to celebrate Allhallow eve
ever heard of. Let one Of US go in
stealthily. make just enough sound to
waken him so that he'll see her reflec
ton in the mirror on the mantel and
get away before he can catch her"
The idea was eagerly caught upon.
and Flora was urged to play the part.
The others returned to the vehicle that
had brought them and waited for the
play to be over and her to join them
In a retreat.
Mr.. Dix was awakened by the fail
ing of some article behind him and.
opening his eyes. saw a girls face re
f1ected in a mirror before him. But
only for an instant. If he had been
wide awake he would doubtless have
arisen from his chair Immediately and
made an investigation. As it was, he
delayed just long enough to allow the
eonSpiratOrS to make good their eS
cape He did not even hear the sOuEc
of wheels. for the carriage had gone
far enough to prevent that. Flora get
ting into it near the gate.
When Mr.. Dix got fairly around be
did what he would have been expected
to do. He went to the hall and out
through the front door. He encOun-
tered nothing. and all he heard was 2
distant sound Of laughter, but so dis
tan. that he was not sure whether it
was or was not laughter. He was
very much puzzled.
Mr. Dix had a job of hunting on his
hands far different from following up
game. He was methodical chap and
began by learning to whom the cottage
belonged. Then he went to the winter
residence of its owner ostensibly TO
peddle books. lie could not be driven
away until he had caught sight Of
Flora Stebbins. whom he at once recog-
nized as the reality Of the image he
had seen in the mirror on Allhallow
eve. She recognized him. but pretend
ed ignorance OF him.
You are my fate" he said. Il saw
your face in mirror on what / have
since learned was Allhallow eve. T.
will be useless for you to attempt II
escape the husband that
NONSENSE" she exclaimed. blushiTsf
very red. 1T was you who saw my face
In the glass. not who saw yours. All
hallow eve does not count for men"
TD,,A - Il -.