The Worthington advance., 1881-03-10

her, she gradually regained her tran.
guilty, and by the time she had finished
she said to herself, as she smiled at her
lovely counterpart in mirror:
ut was foolish OF me to he vexed. 1t
is impossible that he could pass me over
for Pansy? I feel sure he has sent me q
card, but it has been delayed, and that
one was only addressed to Pansy out Of
mere kindness of heart"
There was tap at the door, and her
maid entered.
"It is time, miss, to get ready. The
carriage is ordered for eleven"
| Katherine smiled as she remembered
that Sir Charles had promised to &C
company them. to the country TOWN.
some ten miles away-where bazaar
or sale Of fancy-work was to be held in
aid Of the funds required for the restcrl
tion Of the ancient church.
At the opening ceremony it was ex~
pected thst most, ii not all, the intlu.
entail families IN the county would be
represented.
The squ,re's daughters had both been
looking forward with pleased expectation
to the occurrence of this event; and when
Sir Charles had promised to be their es.
cort, the squire himself had gladly
availed himself OF the opportunity Of
staying away, as such gatherings were
very far indeed from being to his taete.
Sir Charles appeared with all a lovers
punctuality-thati is, he arrived half an
hour before the time OF starting. To his
surprise, he found Katherine was ready
too-a most unusual event, for she made
it point of honor always to keep her
cavaliers waiting.
II, however, her design was to prevent
the possibility Of tete-a-tets between the
baronet and Pansy, she was perfectly
successful. She never once left his side,
until they all three entered the carriage
at the hall-door.
The squire stood on the steps watching
their departure. His glowing counte-
nance was beaming with smiles, and he
chuckled gleefully.
"That Howell is sensible young fel-
low. and admire his taste; don't like
the idea Of losing my Pansy, though
would rather give her to him than any
one."
Crowded as the town hall was that New
Years day with all the youth and beauty
OF the neighborhood, the entrance OF Sir
Charles with his two lovely companions
attracted immediate notice, and they
were quickly surrounded by crowds Of
friends and acquaintances.
Among those who pressed forward was
u certain Captain Simister-a tall,
fair rman-conspicuous by his thick mus
tache, and long, flowing yellow beard,
which descended to his breast. He was
one Of Katherine's most pertinacious ad-
mirers. and she alternately rebutfed 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! Why2''
"Will yeu allow me to show ;ou9 This
way, please. The end of room is fitted
up as the Cave Of Mystery, and there's
! fortune-teller in it. It's reat fun, as.
| sure"
"And may We follow you?' asked Sir
Charles.
"Oh, certainly?'
Miss Cranborne put herself under the
! captains escort with some misg,ving.
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
affairs common on these occasions. The
principal amusement in connection with
1t was fortune telling doll-a quantity
dressed little figure, which could be
spun around very much after the fashion
of tee-to-tum. Arranged around in a
circle were Numerous small pieces of
paper closely folded up. The figure car
ried kind Of wand, which, when the
gyrations stopped, pointed of course to
some one Of the aforementioned pieces
of paper.
For this peep into faturity u shilling
was paid.
"Now, Miss Cranborne," said the cap
tain, taking out his purse, "try your for
tunew
But Katherine resolutcly. 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
"At least you will allow me?"
"Certainly. How can I have a voice
| in the matter?''
Sir Charles put down his shilling-the
| tortune-teller was spun around, and
finally, after little Cancellation, stopped
| with the wand pointing to one of the
slips.
"Will you take it up. pleascf''
Sir Charles did so, and then read
aloud:
"Sesk 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,
doubtless; but was now intent upon some
pretty trif1et On a stall close by.
"By Jove,' drawled Captain Sinister,
"AIiss 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 ellfeigned axniety the captain
watched the motions of the oracle Of fate.
He pretended to tremble and hesitate at
the idea Of reading the slip:
| "Have you not heard 1t said full off,"
He read so far, then stopped suddenly
With an angry exclamation he tore the
paper to atoms. The conclusion must
have been something most unpalatable.
"What was 1t, Sinister" cried Sir
Charles, laughing.
But the captains face wore such an
angry look, that the baronet saw that it
would be iniudicious to pursue the sub
ject further.
"What could it nave been?" whispered
Pansy to Sir Charles, as they descended
the broad staircase together.
1--WE shall never know, I expect" the
baronet replied. Then in tender under
tone he added, inquiringly, "you received