The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1913-10-24
IN SPITE OF
MAGIC
A Story For AL
hallow Eve
BY LILLIAN WENTZ

HkH#-E
Young Cornelius Babcock settled his
necktie and thrust in its crimson folds
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 a
laundry bill by it's deceptive guise; he
stroked the glossy smoothness Of bis
olive green striped suit: he stuck out
q neat foot attired in a pale blue SOCK
and shiny patent leather pumps and
smiled with satisfaction. 1t would be
q critical maiden, indeed. who would
not look with favor upon MI. Babcock
n this festal array. for he had health
and youth and q Measure OF good
looks. He was going to a party. and
10 was in love. It showed In bis face
and in his eyes.
Suddenly he reached into an obscure
corner Of the bureau drawer and drew
forth q tiny box. From this box there
issued a small gold ring, set with q
cheap red stone. Cornelius gazed on
Il with %quickened breath. He had
slammed to wear 1t on his little finger
that night. She would ask him about
Il, and he would ask, her to wear 1t II
she wanted to. 1t all seemed so sim
ple as he had planned 1t. and now he
scarcely dared place it on his hand.
Suddenly it found place on his finger.
and the stone flashed as he lifted q
hand and turned out the gas.
As he strobe 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 a niger
minstrel forT" he growled contemptu-
susly.
Cornelius writhed inwardly. His
face flushed, and he stammered con.
fusedly. I'm going to q party. !
guess l won't be home till late. Mary
gfnn's giving a Halloween party"
The Films lived in upper New York,
and on this particular night their small
lat was filled to overlooking with q
merry company Of young people
All sorts OF paper decorations hung
from the walls and chandeliers. Jack
S'.lanterns were suspended in the door
ways and swayed g~rinningly as tall
heads passed to and fro. In q circle of
laughing young men and girls Mary
Finn was outlining her program TOR
the evenings fun.
well tell fortunes by melting lead
and dropping 1t in cold water. and we
can roast chestnuts on the gas stove.
There's q 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. It curls into
the initial Of the one you're going to
marry! It doesr Mary blushed charm
ingly. and Cornelius intercepted her
smile and took 1t to himself.
"And what else. Mary" A broad
shouldered young man with a shock
Of thick, dark hair moved forward and
INSTRUCTED Cornelius view Of Mary
Finn.
Its for US girls to do" giggied
Mary. I'VE let down our hair at mid
night and take a lighted candle and a
handgiass and walk backward around
~ house three times. Only this be-
- Q at wen have to walk up and
down the hall. | guess. IL you're ever
going to get married you'll see the
faes Of your future husband in the
glass;"
"Do you believe that. hsryg" asked
. thin faced girl sharply. You seem
- take It like 1t was dead earnest.
but
ASK my mother" returned Mary
psoudly. and genial Mrs Finn nodded
complacently.
Its true. amt ii Aichael2" she
asked Of Mr.. Finn. who murmured as
cont Il saw Mike as plain an could
- looking over my shoulder. and
married him. didn't I? Don't be &c
skeptical. Kitty: it amt healthy. KeeT
young and foolish az long az you can
The thin faced Kitty smiled politely
and sat down near Cornelius. '4Thinga
don't come like that. do they?" sh<
asked him. u mean the things you
want to happen don't come 20 easy
YOu have 10 work to make EN- conn