Short Fiction Barr, Robert: The Face and the Mask. V1. 4 Nov 2010

[crutledge]

Robert Barr (September 16, 1849 – October 21, 1912) was a British-Canadian short story writer and novelist, born at Glasgow, Scotland. Robert Barr, a teacher, journalist, editor and novelist, born in Glasgow, Scotland and educated in Canada. In 1876 he became a member of the staff of the Detroit Free Press, in which his contributions appeared under the signature "Luke Sharp." In 1881 he removed to London, to establish the weekly English edition of the Free Press, and in 1892 he joined Jerome K Jerome in founding the Idler magazine, from whose co-editorship he retired in 1895. He was a prolific author, producing many popular novels of the day.

Excerpt
Two beautiful ladies approached him -- one richly dressed with the most dazzling jewelry. The other was clad in plain attire. At first, the dreaming Mr. Crandall thought the richly dressed one was the prettier. She was certainly very attractive -- but, as she came closer, he saw how much of her beauty was artificial.

About the other there was no question. A beauty . . .

"Mr. Crandall," she said, in the sweetest of voices, "we have come here together that you may choose between us."

"Bless me," said Crandall, so much surprised at the unblushing proposal that he nearly awoke himself, "bless me, don't you know I am married?"

"Oh, that doesn't matter," answered the fair young lady, with the divinest of smiles. "We are not mortals. We are spirits!"

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