Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-12-26
TT, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1879.

He was one of Kathefine's most per-
tinacious admirers, aud she alternately
rebufed and encouraged him, as the
humor suited her.
II am so awfully glad to see you this
morning" he said, bending down to
! Katherine.
Indeed! Why"
"Will you allow me to show you?
This way, please. The end of the room
is fitted up as the Cave of Mystery, and
there's a fortune-teller in it. It's real
fun, l assure YOU"
"And may we follow you?" asked Sir
Charles.
"Oh, certainly!n
Miss Cranborne pat herself under the
captains escort with some misgiving.
But at any rate she thought she should
not be long in discovering what Sir
| Charles intentions really were.
The Cave of Mystery, as it had been
named, was just one of those ponsensi-
cal affairs common on these occasions
The principal amusement in connection
S-fftiI iU fos GNaa.s telliI.s ao1l-a n
quaintly-dressed little figure. which
could be spun around very much after
the fashion of a tee-to-tum. Arranged
around it in circle were numerous
small pieces of paper closely folded up.
The figure carried kind of wand,
which, when the gyrations stopped,
pointed of course to some one of the be-
aforementioned pieces of paper.
For this peep into futurity shilling
was paid.
"Now, Miss Cranborne," said the
captain, taking out his purse, "try your
| fOrtune!'
But Katherine resolutely refused, and
declared that the whole thing was too
childish for her to take any part in it.
Nor after this could Sir Charles pre-
vail upon Pansy to make the trial, so he
said:
cat least you will allow me?"
Certainly. How can | have voice
in the matter?"
Sir Charles put down his shilling-the
fortune-teller was spun around, and
finally, after little oscillation, stopped
with the wand pointing to one of the
slips.
"Will you take it up, please?"
Sir Charles did so, and then read
aloud:
"Seek her hand, and buy the ring;
Lifelong happiness twill bring"
He tried TO catch Pansy's glance, but
in vain. She had heard the words
some pretty trifles on stall close by.
by Jove," drawled Captain Sinister
" Miss Cranborne. DO try-or let me. >
You can try" said Katherine, but
her voice was so harsh that all looked
at her in surprise.
With well-feisncd anxiety the captain
watched the motions of the oracle o
fate. He pretended to tremblc and hest
tate at the idea of reading the slip:
"Have you not heard it said full oit--"
He read SO far, then stopped suddenly
With an angry exclamation he tore the
paper TO atoms. The conclusion mus
have been something most unpalatable
What was il, Sinister" cried Sil
Charles, laughing.
But the captains face wore such al
angry look, that the baronet saw il
would be injudicious to pursue the sub
iect further.
"What could it haze beenpn whis,
pered Pansy to Sir Charles, as they de-
scended the broad staircase together.
I'VE shall never know, l expect" re,
piled the baronet. Then, in tender
undertone, he added. inquiringly
"Yo ou received New Years card this
morningp"
"Yes," she answered family, thougl
her cheeks were afame.
And Miss Cranborne-Pansy-yor
remember the words on my slip o
paper: Seek her hand, and buy the
ring If / buy the ring, will you veal
it, Pansyp"
He drew breath of relief when sh'
turned her blushing, smiling face full
upon him. But she lowered her eve'
Immediately, and said, demurely:
:" | don't know indeed don't! Yol
must really ask papa!"