Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1914-12-17

responsible Tor her consciousness OF it,
for almost from her birth he had ex-
pressed his own admiration of it.
Wakeley importuned his friend to Sc
cure him an invitation to the Town
send villa. Kimball, who discerned
Berts infatuation and did not approve
of it, put him off for awhile, then con-
sented on Wakeley's promise not to ex-
press any admiration for Bertha's
beauty, but, on the contrary. to ig-
more it.
The young artist after this spent
considerable time at the villa, and.
though his infatuation for Bertha
deepened. he kept his promise to ap-
pear unconscious of her beauty and.
since he was poor and was too honor
able or proud to make love to her. re-
Trained from doing so. Bertha. who
had been used to having every one who
came near her express admiration in
looks if not in words, was taken aback
at this first experience of one who show.
ed no consciousness Of her gift. Wheth.
er she was ~antagonized or piqued orin.
different she did not make known. She
certainly displayed no interest in Wake.
ley whatever.
Kimball, being a friend of both par
ties, observed the situation with inter
est. 1t occurred to him that possibly
Wakeley might be made use of to win
Bertha from her fault. The artists
control Of himself in concealing his adj
miration for what had enthralled him
promised to be an element Of success.
Kimball laid a scheme first to give
Bertha a glimpse Of what she would
be as an old woman. then to make Il
match between her and Wakeley.
The hot season in Italy was over and
gave place to that mellow autumn
which renders Italy famous for its soft
skies. Bertha was sitting me evening
in the cleaning on Il terrace without
the Townsend villa, situated on a
height from which she could look down
on the city of Florence. On the en-
bankments of the Arno the lamps were
being lit, faint in the still strong twi-
light.
Bertha'S gaze vas fixed on the Ponte
Necchio (bridge). the Duomo (cathedral)
and other monuments of medieval
times, growing dim in the advancing
night. But nOne of these interested
her as her w beauty. From Il table
beside her covered with books and
periodicals she took UP Il handglAss
with Il view to getting I; glimpse of
her features while it was yet possible
to see them. She was about to replace
, the mirror on the table when there
came a flash Of dazzling light.
In the mirror she saw Il mingling Of
two ~fuccs-one her own. the other that
kled, the cheeks were hollow, the eyes
sunkcn, the teeth discolored. With 4
cry she threw down the mirror and
ran into the house.
From the time she saw the spectral
reflection she was changed. Her treat,
ment Of Wakeley lost all antagonism
but it was still Indifferent. Those whC
knew of the young mans Alteration
for her could not see that there was
in her any response. Wakeley himself
was quite Respondent and so express
ed himself to Kimball.
Cheer up" said the latter. Il have
done Il part of my work and am wait
ing for an opportunity to attempt the
rest. If | have luck shall render yor
great assistance"
\ few evenings after this kimbal
was sitting on the terrace with Berth;
where she had seen her face reflected
as an old conan
Tomorrow at this time" he said
will be Halloween. Do you propose
to try the usual method to see the tea
lures of your future husband?"
81 shall never look into Il miro
again except when making my toilet.
why so:"
That | do not care to tell
II should suppose you would MAKE
an exception Of Halloween. Come on
here at dusk tomorrow evening, lool
into Il mirror. and l fancy you vii
see the face of the man you shall
marry"
Bertha made no reply to this. bu
Kimball WAS confident she would dc
5 as he had suggested.
True enough, just before dark thu
next evening she went out On to The
terrace. Kimball. who had been din
ing at the villa. followed. unseen by
. her. and stood back in Il vestibult
through which she had passed. She
sat for some time looking out Oh the
view before her and when darkness!
d had settled down upon it took up The
hand mirror and held it before he
face.
Kimball raised his hand, there wa:
II Il flash. and in the mirror Bertha saw
the features Of Albert Wakeley.
Bertha. who had believed that thu
y former flash was not supernatural
turned quickly to see who was respOn
sible for the light. but so vivid had j
20 been that her vision was dimmed
l. Kimball had no difficulty in getting
away before her eyes were capable o.
revealing him to her.
n INrc,,, tI;, 1.-TWO Dnn+h, roo-,o ,,nr,