The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1922-05-11
ENDING The STORY
BY MILDRED WHITE

Copyright, ASLI, western Newspaper UNION.
Millicent sat with her Great-aunt
Millicent's letter spread before her.
The room she was in might have been
part Of picture Of long ago.
The girl turned her eyes on the let
ter. my dear namesake," it began.
Il hope that the bracing air Of Win
cliff is doing for you all that the doc
tors prophesied, and it is fortunate
that was able to take advantage OF
my old friends hospitality, for your
sake. Remember me lovingly to Laila,
and now I am going to tell you story,
the story of your old maid aunt's Life.
All girls love love story, do they not?
And most girls at one time or another
have known love, either in it's happi-
ness or it's disappointment. knew it
in sorrow. Many years ago, when I
looked as sweet and fresh as you do
now, my dear, I was betrothed, as we
called it then, to the fortune-favored
young master Of the very castle where
in you are today guest. His sister,
Laila was then, as now, my faithful
friend.
What joyous times we had together,
until fancied cause for jealousy sep
arated me from the man I loved.
Women in rivalry for love are, I sup
pose, the same through all the ages
and 1t was such an unprincipled and
untruthful creature who brought me
sorrow. What matter now the pitiful
nature of those long-ago lies? My
lover in his madness rushed off to
marry, for spite, a gentle soul who de-
served better treatment; q friend she
was, too, Of Lailas and mine, who
lived or perhaps not knowing her own
disappointment, only until her young
son was born.
"Sad and widowed John Meredith
came again to seek my hand, but
could not forget his lack Of trust, so
we were never married. And even as
I refused him, his old hot anger arose,
and he swore to haunt me in reproach,
living or dead
my dear, was still deeply grieved
when, as time passed, came to learn
Of his death. Indeed you may see the
portrait Of the man for love Of whom
your aunt lived single all her days
hanging in the Wainscoted room over
looking the sea. When you gaze at
those dark eyes, be sorry that they
were not softer In expression,
She sat thinking over Aunt Mil
licent's story as twilight descended
and purple mist seemed to rise from
the sea. Then, presently, as though
drawn by some unseen power, the girl
looked toward the portrait. Slowly,
but positively, the tall painted figure
swayed forward, and Millicent jumped
with a startled cry. AS quick as her
cry, the picture fell back into place.
Bravely, she advanced to test it with
her hands. The oiled surface was firm
1t it's place.
II am getting to be as bad as the
servants she told herself, and went
briskly to join her aunts old friend.
But Miss Meredith had gone down to
the village, the housekeeper told her.
And would she have tea in her room
The uncanny influence again drew the
girl.
Il will have it," she replied, Sin the
front tower roOm.''
She tried to persuade herself, as
again and again her eyes sought the
canvas in the panel that she was cur
ing herself Of an illusion. It was just
as she had finished her second muffin
that the unbelievable happened. Noise
lessly, the great panel swayed out,
then back; and in place of the painted
man stood living, breathing one.
The same dark eyes gazed, wonder
ing into young Millicent's own; the
same dark hair just touched with sill
very gray brushed the high white fore
head-and then the picture spoke-at
least, so it seemed to Millicent.
And the speaker echoed her own
confused thought. "Are you," asked
pleasing voice, "a real person, or am
I having a vision of the years?"
Deliberately he came forward, while
the space where had been the picture
was now but shining panel.
The wonder of his eyes was reflect
ed in those of the girl: your eyes are
SOFTER" she, answered irrevelantly,
land your chin is less determined"
The man smiled. Ethan whose for
instance?" he asked.
"Then the eyes and the chin of my
Great-aunt Millicents lover" she an
swered him perplexedly.
The mysterious invader retraced his
steps until he stood before the panel.
"Come here" he said gently, land
compare us closely"
AS he spoke, he touched some hid
den spring, and the painting swung
back into place.
ut is really a secret door into this,
my fathers study" the man ex-
planned. Il only was permitted to use
it when boy. Returning to my old
home today from long trip abroad,
it occurred to me to use it while full
filling my aunts Grand I was sent
to bring her young guest to dinner.
Aunt and l had been to the village TO-
gether, and I admit" added John
Meredith the Second, that for one
mystified moment I thought 1 was see
ing visionary Millicent from the past,
whose picture I have known"
Down the long stair, arm in arm,
went the two. you are going to
stay?" the girl asked. There was un-
conscious eagerness in the question.
There was sadness in the mans
strange reply. "My hair" he said, lis
touched with silver"