Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-25
The Daily Story
The Girl Next Door

Dawson street was highly respectable
snd somewhat arlstocratic, else Prot.
Hamilton Stanhope had never taken up
his abode there, Having satisfied him
self In regard to these particulars, he
settled down to work and gave the street
and its occupants no more thought.
His apartments were on the third floor,
and when tired delving In musty old
tones. he occasionally rested his eyes
by gazing out along the sky line Of tree
tops. Upon the first of these occasions
he had noticed what a wide driveway
separated the house in which he lived
from the somewhat pretentlous one next
door.
'Of course" no mused absently, that
Is why these rooms are so sunny. South
ern exposure broad space to let the sum
shine In, bright and healthy; l am for
tunate" And with feeling of pleasure
because of his agreeable situation he re-
turned to work.
One glorious morning the professor
threw open his window to get breath
OF tho clear, sparkling air In place OF
that he almost lost what he had.
In the driveway below the prettiest girl
he ever had seen frolicked with little
roly-poy white fun of a dog. In his
entire career he never had seen a girl
/ whom he had cared to look at the second
Y time. and, lover OF dogs that he was,
Nseless little pet dogs had always been
II.
Tor a monument he quite forgot himself
an& sazed down In rapt admiration. The
girA looked up, flushed dellcately, then she
andA the dog quickly disappeared around
the corner of the house
The professor found 1t very difficult to
concentrate his mind again upon the
course OF scientific articles that he was
preparing, and finally persuaded himself
that he sadly needed exercise. He pro-
Oeeded to take 1t by going for brisk
walk; In so doing he managed to pass the
adjacent house several times and was re-
warded by seeing the face of his mental
dlsturber at one OF the second-story win
dows.
Apparently the professors health grew
rapidly worse, although no one would
have suspected It from his looks or his
appetite. But his work was neglected and
he was compelled TO take long, Rimless
walks and spend much time in the big
chair by one Of his windows
AS he sat one afternoon gloomlly try
ing to strike upon a feasible method Of
introduction, he glanced at one of the
second-story Windows Now Prof Ham
ilton Stanhope was a gentleman, but
what he saw caused his heart to stop
beating and momentarily robbed him OF
the power of motion or retreat.
The sun was shining brightly into the
windows In question and a long cheval
mirror reflected a most remarkable scene.
His divinity was attired I'm strange
costume, not unlike those worn by Turk
ish gentlemen of rank when they sit for
their photographs, Even in the midst of
his shocked astOnlshment he grudgingly
recognized that 1t was immensely becom-
ing. With fascinated gaze he watched
the weird antics that the mirror showed
him.
The reflected figure bent backward
until he feared that 1t must break it
rotated It's body from the waist until
the beautiful face in the mirror was
Bcarleti 1t swayed from side to side until
he felt himself grow Dizzy 1t eareened
and pulled Wildly at a strange gearing
OF ropes and pulleys fastened TO the WALL
It ran about on all fours and balanced
lightly on finger and toe.
AS if to set at rest any question as to
the identity OF the original. the girl her
self appeared within the range of his
vision. She approached the mirror and
made all sorts Of grimaeeB and facial
eontortions at her own image. She
twisted her head until he trembled lest
she should wiring her neck she swung
her arms and struck fierceiy at unseen
foes.
The professor could stand no more.
He arose and paced the floor.
80 young so beautiful" he muttered
again and again. The face OF an angel
and the form of a goddess, but so eYi-
IDENTIFY insane. What q fate for herl
What an empty air castle have builded
Tor myself Back fool back to your
researches among the ruins OF the past.
There, At least things are what they
seem"
He sat resolutely down TO work. when
the sound Of voice that he knew In
sflnetively TO be hers dFifted IN at the
speh window.
on. promise me
THAT some day, you and i
VIII iaka our lows together % some sky.
he threw down his pencil and leaned
back 70 listen. There was such a world
81 ysarning pathos IN the voice that he
could feel 3 lump coming into his own
throat.
The clear. sweet notes trailsd on and
we're lost IN the rustic OF the trees with
cut. He moved 70 the window as II
drawn By a lodestone. She sat at the
rear of the house In 4 CHEEKY patch Of
sunlight beneath the empty clothes lines.
a garment, soft, silky and brightly ORR
eatal enyeloped her form with eiinging
folds.
Upon her head panched broad -hrlmmed
hat from which the crown was missing.
Through this opening her hair VAS drawn
zad arranged So that IL feli and rlppled
zbeat her neek and shoulders ike the
waters 81 a golden fountaiH. This time
she professor shiYeTaa.
sHoaf little glriss ha murmufed. who
snaas what may have brought this an
IseufsH
- made no attempt 70 resume bis
safk Hls castle Haz e ruins The !
naid raped TIE 1a4a TINE at the door