Life — December 27, 1894 — page 25: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

- LIFE: 9 THE MIRROR: Mirrors can do a great many more things than people give them credit for. We reflect, why should we not speak? That we can do so is proved by my talking to you now. I have listened to all you have thought and would help you. THE BELLE (trembling): \Was | thinking aloud ? THE Mirror: No. But you cannot think and look into my face without every thought being known to me, even though I may not reveal what is in your mind. I want to help you to decide your future. Are you willing that 1 should ? THE BELLE: You mean with regard to— THE MIRROR: the wrong man. THE BELLE: must I do? THE MIRROR: First, turn down the gas. Then pl: yourself facing me, and light the spirit lamp of your curling- iron apparatus. Now, take some of your pearl face-powder, sprinkle it on the flame, and wait. (She does so. The surface of the mirror becomes heavily clouded). Which would you see first ? THE BELLE (laughing hysterically): their regular order. Not so wicked as it would be to marry I suppose that must be true. Well, what Oh, take them in “DSRR MYSELY, MANDSOMPLY DRESSED, COVERED WITH JeWeLs.”” THE MIRROR (6/andly): I mean with regard to the five proposals you received to-night. THE BELLE (after a pause): Which shall I accept ? THE Mirror: That I may not tell you. help you to judge for yourself. THE BELLE (azxfously) : How can you do that ? THE MIRROR: By showing you yourself, your surround- ings and your condition of mind, five years after your marriage with any one of your would-be husbands of this evening. THE BELLE Wouldn’t—ceh. Ican simply Oh, dear! This is worse than chiromancy. wouldn't it be wicked ? THE Mikron: Then, Mr. Totterly, the eight millionaire first. What can you see? Speak! (The cloud on the face of the mirror gradually clears in the center, & y disclosing a picture). THE BELLE (22 @ low vorce): I see myself, handsomely dressed, covered with jewels, at an evening reception. Many men are around me offering me attentions. For some reason, I dare not accept them. I see Mr. Totterly, compliment. In a corner, jealously watching me, He scowls every time a man pays me a Everything is bright around me, but the very brightness seems to weary me, and remind me of something lacking. comicbooks.com