The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1914-01-07
THE IMAGE IN
THE MIRROR
A Story For Allhallow Eve
By ADELAIDE BURNHAM

day, be came to a little lake nesting
among the hills, it's surface covered
with fallen leaves of every color from
the lightest yellow hue to the deepest
crimson. And looking down a valley
ne saw landscape that filled him with
delight
What a 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, ~~a.~-.
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 a
very pretty cottage, with broad piaz-
"a around it. a 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.
1--WE a good mind to sleep there to
night" he said to himself and tried the
window to see If 1t were securely lock
ed. It was, but Mr.. Dix hunted for
place Of tngress as theoretically 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. ad-
hitting him to the wood house, and in
few minutes had fire blazing on the
hearth. Then he settled himself down
In an easy chair before 1t, 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 early
at the last of October, and the young
ladies arrived about o'clock.
"My goodness graciousw exclaimed
Miss Stebbins. There's some kind Of
a light inside. 1t looks as if there
were a fire on the hearth. Wait a min
ute till | reconnoiter." She went to a
window and saw the slumbering Mr..
Dix sitting before 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 refec-
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 fall
ing of some article behind him and.
opening his eyes. saw a girls face re
fected 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 sound
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 he
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 a
distant sound of laughter. but so dis
tant that he was not sure whether it
was or was not laughter. He was
very much puzzled.
Mr.. Dix had job of hunting on his
hands far different from following up
same. He was a 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. he 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. II saw
your face in a mirror on what I havd
since learned was AllhallOw eve. IL
will be useless for you to attempt ts
escape the husband that
"Nonsensew she exclaimed, blushinr
very red. "It was you who saw my faca
In the glass. not who saw yours. ALI
hallow eve does not count for men,"
But 1t did count, for then and there
or rather on Allhallow eve, commenced
q courtship which ended, II it ended at
all. with marriage. And when 1t be