The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1915-11-18
that they had not been invited to 4

that they had not been invited to q
bridge OF a billiard party, but to a
Halloween party, and they must ac-
cept the situation. With this they sal
lied forth, some to sit in summer
house and smoke, while others, respect
ing their hostess. Wishes. wandered
over the place Lights were seen on
the bosom of the river, indicating that
some of the girls had brought candles
and set them afloat.
Frank Edgarton had been requested
by his mother to set an example to the
other men guests by entering into the
spirit of the affair and so forth in
search of adventure. He strolled alone
on the river bank watching the light
ed candles and lighted cigar, resolving
to smoke it to the end before return
ing to the house, for he was bent on
pleasing his mother and feared that he
would return too soon. The night was
not cold, the stars were bright, and
Frank was. content to remain in the
open so long as the case required.
Suddenly from bushes, perhaps hun
dred yards from him, light flashed
1t was not the season for firef1ies, and
even If it had been no firefies could
give so great light. 1t at once &C.
CURED to Frank that it had been set
by human being Either some Of the
men or girl guests were seeking an adj
venture. If girl Frank was ready to
accommodate her. He walked toward
the place where he had seen the light
but when he reached it found nothing
but bushes. While looking about him
the light flashed again, but from diff
ferent location. Frank went to the
new spot with the same result as
before.
1t was evident that some one, prob
ably girl, was bent on leading him a
game OF hide and seek. He was quite
ready to play it and waited for an
other flash. 1t came, and this time, in
stead of walking leisurely toward it, he
ran. Nevertheless the result was the
same as before. He found no one. For
some time the light flashed from differ
ent points, and yet the trend was in
one direction. Though Frank made
violent dashes for it, when he reached
the point where he had seen it he found
only silence and low growth of ever
greens. Once, instead of seeing a flash,
he heard a low laugh. This settled the
point as to the sex Of the hider, for it
was a woman's laugh. Frank ran to-
ward the place from which it seemed
to come, but one has no sense by which
to Judge Of the direction of sound, and
when he reached the Illuminated place
the light was flashed in an entirely
different one.
Finally Frank followed a flash, and
though he found darkness he touched
something human. Resolving that who
ever had been leading him should not
escape him, he threw his arms about it
and held it fast. That:it was feminine
was evident from the apparel.
Let me co." said girl, struggling.
mot until I have learned who you
are. You have been leading me a fine
dance, and must at least get glimpse
II,
Come, flash your light!'
Il have no light It is you who have
been leading me, Mr.. Edgarton. Though
l can't see your face, recognize your
voice." ..-
"Do you mean to tell me that you
have not dashlight?"
II have not
"This is very strange. You are Miss
Tisdale, are you not?'
II am"
No one knows whether Frank Edgar
ton during this dialogue continued to
hold Alice Tisdale in his arms or re-
leased her. Alice at once became i'm
pressed with a fancy that on this Hal
loween wi]l-o'-the wisp had conduct
ed her to her future husband, and,
though she was a modest girl, it is
quite possible that she did not con-
tinue her efforts to free herself.
Later the two walked into the house
together. Most of the guests had re-
turned. Some were telling stories they
had invented of marvellous happen
ings, some admitting disappointments.
Alice Tisdale said nothing. Perhaps
she was waiting for Frank Edgarton
to tell their experience. But Frank
held his peace. He was puzzled. He
believed that Alice told the truth when
she denied having a fashlight. Alice
was wondering if she had met real
Halloween experience.
Mrs. Edgarton and Mrs. Tisdale
when their children entered were sit
ting together chatting apparently on
commonplace topics, for they showed
no animation. The others were interest
ed in one another's stories Of their
experiences. Edgarton turned to Alice
and looked at her 1nquiringly, as much
as to say, us it possible that so retiring
a girl could have led ME such dancer
She dropped her eyes under his gaze.
He wished he was back in the dark
place where he had seized her and was
again holding her in his arms.
Come out on the porch with me,n he
said, "and let us have a look at the
stars.''