Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1921-02-03
"A Halloween
Hunch
~ RUBY DOUGLAS

Constance turned her horses heau
Info the narrow, soft road that led to
the left. The brown Of her riding haD-
It, the hay coat Of her mount, the gold
brown Of her hair all blended in with
the autumnal tints Of the trees and
brush through which the galloplng
road ran
"Helen--rve always had a bunch
that I'd meet my fate on this bridle-
path" Constance remarked when the
two horses had settled down together
into comfortable gait.
Helen looked at her companion.
That's a cheerful thought for such
wonderful morning. dear. I'd certain
ly enlarge on II r.
-Oh--I don't mean anything tragic,
Constance fastened to explain. Then
the color surged into her cheeks for
moment. I'll mean. VIII meet
the man who shall eventually mar
ry-here."
who said so--the oulJa board"
Constance shook her head and her
bobbed brown curis danced beneath
her sailor hat. "No--jnst bunch"
Helen suddenly laughed. "oh--its
the Halloween atmosphere that has
taken hold Of you. thought you were
beyond that. Con"
Constance smiled, too. perhaps X
was the spirit OF the old-time fairies
that made me think OF Il today. But
II have always thought should mar
~ a man who was fond OF horses and,
II he is, where is there better place
to meet him than on this famous gal
Looping roadf'
There isn't--bnt 1t never works
that way In every day life"
Nothing further was said on the sub
ject but Constance, born In October,
always felt that the month held espe-
ciai happiness for her. The thrfll Of
autumn was In her veins, her horse
was just fresh enough TO need care
full handling, there was party at the
club that night and-it was Hal
ioween. Everything pointed to a ro-
nance for Constance.
~I'lI dare you TO ride 70 the party
tonight. HeieEs she said, suddenly.
-There's a noon
"What Of our cIorhesT
-Oh--it's spook party and we can
get some Of the other girls 70 take
sur black dominoes and we can put
them on after we get there. A ride
through this path In the moonlight
would be greaf--and It would be ar.
ferent.s
"rll say II WOULD laughed Helen.
"T3ut--T'm game. Let's get Mr. North
to ride with us-and perhaps Mrs
Morrill,
II don't cnre-fhe more the merrier.
Are you on, them
Helen loved to ride and rode well
and tho idea Of going on horseback
to the Piping Ridge Club 70 o Hal
loween party fitted entirely into her
idea Of good time.
The girls cut their morning ride .
little short IN view Of the prospective
jaunt in the evening.
And when the moon was Just show.
Ing her slender silver self IN the heav,
ems, they we're again on their horses
and had been Joined by three other
edueatrians who were going to the club
20 The same party.
isn't Il wopdcrfulT Constance
cried as she gaIioDed through the bri.
die path.
''It H." agreed Bert North who was
nearest to her. But look out for tae
fairies tonight. Con. This Is going "a
be some party"
when they arrived. tho music was
being waited out across the clubhouse
grounds. the porches were lighted with
dim yellow lanterns. witches with
great brooms were tanning the air,
ghost-like figures were lodging from
behind trees and. altogether, Il was
the typical oId-fashioned Halloween
party.
SIS II Just I, Helen---or DO you feel
cseer and spookyT" whispered Con.
stance, as the two girls slipped into
their Disgusting costumes IN the dress.
Ing room.
Everybody feels that way AZ par
~ like this" Helen answered.
But Constance had o renl premo-
milton OF impending fnta She knew
there was nothing Ia those silly, child.
like games OF seeing your lovers face
IN the mirror. but she felt that some
where. somehow, tonight, she would
meet someone who would mean much
| to her future.
The orchestra was doing its best "a
add TO the gayefy OF the occasion. and
the musicians were playing everything
they knew that had weird. fantastic
chords, pIaintlve themes, minor motifs
| Constance was dancing with some one
she could not recognize.
No one spoke. Spook danced with
spook, black and white together. Con.
stance had partner who vas per.
feet dancer. She tried to discoy.
er who he was by bis step. his size.
At last the music stopped and he took
her out on the porch. There. he
raised his black hood a trifle. for air,
and Constance knew that she bad new
err seen him before.
Then she was not afraid to speak.
Since he did not know her. there was
90 danger Of recognizing her voice.
You are a stranger" she ventured,
The man laughed. Il was" he said.
Il do not feel like one since that
dance. Two cannot dance that won
derful waltz together and be absolute
strangers. did not know II could be
waltzed to"
LISTS Dream Of Love. WAS II
notT' asked Constance.