Richard Barker Shelton

“ The Cupid favored him with the smile which was its perpetual attribute, and at that Caverley laughed easily and put the mirror in a drawer.
Some evenings later he again looked at the mirror. As lie turned it about he was aware that the same face was looking back at him—the face with the scars and the eyes which seemed to be half reproachful, half pleading.
"Good Lord!" said he, and laid the mirror down rather suddenly. Then, thoroughly at odds with his childishness, he picked it up again. This time, as he peered into it, he saw the reflection of his own face. ”

“ He was passing an auction-room, where a red flag flaunted over the sidewalk and a shabby man with leathern lungs bawled forth an announcement that the entire stock of treasures inside would be sacrificed at auction at 2.30, and in the same breath he invited the passersby to step in and inspect it. More from idle curiosity than anything else, Caverley went within. ”

“ To this end he spent many afternoons in queer places—pawn-brokers' shops, curio stores and musty basements, where odd volumes or first editions might be brought to light. But his search was for a long time in vain. He could find nothing to suit his needs, for the tilings he found out of the ordinary would not gratify her taste, and the things which would suit her taste were too ordinary. ”