Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1878-04-27

tened to join them, thinking they were
going to visit the sick, or had some 9TH
er charitable object in view. Roses hand
was on the gate-latch. when Lima came
up, and asked her to explain her inten-
tions
Lima, do not be frightened we would
neither kill or give you away for the
world" said Rose.
"Nor have you transported, either"
interrupted Lulu.
Very WELL" replied Lima; II will
wait my doom"
"Oh, Lima. there's an old woman liv-
ing here who tells fortunes. and have
been nearly dead to see her. Now, Lima,
be good girl, and don't draw up your
tace IL that disappearing way"
II do not believe" said Lima, sin
such nonsense; neither do think it right
to aid people to make living by such
| wickedncss'
That IS all true enough. admit"
said Rose, "but because we 60 in this
time it is no reason that we should visit
her. again
But said Lima, 1--WE were taught to
avoid the first step toward evil Lead
Us not into te nptation.'
Girls, this will never do; we will at
tract the attention of some one, standing
here so long, so come, let's so in." said
Rose and before Lima had time to tear
herself away, the girls pulled her in after
them. The gate closed with bang that
brought an old bag to the door, who
bade them enter. Lima, knowing that
retreat was useless, followed, like a
frightened culprit, after the other two
girls, who were so frightened, at first,
that they could hardly speak. This anus
ed Lima considerably. and she thought
that they were already punished severe
ly enough for their willfuluess. Their
excitement. however, were off, and the
old woman began.
She told Rose what her future would
be; of course it was fraught with danger
love and happiness. Lula's was muct
the same; varied, I believe. by the in
PRODUCTION of death. Then came Lima:
turn, She was about to refuse to sub
NIT to thing in which she had no faith
but observing a cloud on the brow Of
the hideous being before her. she con
| Spntni on3 tho Ster1- hapan
At first she paid little or no attention
to what the women said, but when GER
tain events of her past life were recalled
she was startled, and colored visibly AT
the recognition of these unexpected
truths The old woman noted her agi.
tation, and regarded her. for moment
with an expression of interest; but Lina
met her look with unilinching compos,
ure, and the story was continued. Again
she told Of love. and disappointed. girlish
hopes, but said that she and the man
she loved would meet again, and then
wonld follow contentment and happi-
ness. She also told Lima that she had
been troubled by dark hearted villain
that he would cross her path again that
her troubles would be augmented. and
darker than ever.
Lima. knowing that much of what the
woman told her was but too true, and
not wishing to continue longer subject
80 painful to her. interrupted the old
creature by slipping apiece of money in
TO her hand, and before anyone could say
a word. left the house. passed out at the
gate. and stood waiting for the gIrls.
At this the old hag shook her head. and
muttcred that there was too much truth
in what she had told; that that was the
reason the lady would not hear her out
The two girls wondered at this. as all
girls do about such things, thinking il
strange that it Lima had ever loved any
one. she had not contded the fact to
them. as they had not 4 single thought
| that was not shared by her. so fully did
they trust her; and very naturally they
scolded Lima. vowing. at the same time,
never to tell her anything more.
Lima assumed gay air. and passed of
what had been told her as good joke
but few moments later. when she left
the girls. she went, with heavy heart,
to her room. and prayed pleading,
touching prayer, invoking the Holy One
to let the light Of His couutenance shine
over her future pathway. ROSE.
ITO be continued.