Omaha daily bee., 1883-08-11
He LOST THEM BOTH.

toldi'
Cora started at the sudden question
and then smiled.
az said she, "my fortune told! How
should II We city girls never stumble
across gypsy camps
Old Miss Duchesne was sallow, with
very black hair, scarcely as yet sprinklcd
with gray, although GO years had passed
over it; sharp black eyes, and a nose and
chin which nearly met. She looked
almost like a sphinx herself as she sat
there.
81 used to tell fortunes when | was a
GIRL said she.
with cards!' laughed Cora.
"No, by palmistry. Shall ] tell yours
Cora looked Mt the old lady with sur
prise. Wa she in Jest or earnestl Why
did she speak so sharply Why did those
glittering eyes seem to burn their way
into her very braini
But Miss Duchcsno had been the
school friend of Cora's mother years ago,
and Cora had always hundred her cccen-
tricitios.
IF you choose" she said, half hcsitat.
ing.
"Give me your hand,' said Miss
Duchesne; ''the same hand which you
are II day going to bestow upon Duke
Chesterton III marriage"
YES said Cora, calmly.
"A white, plump, velvetly little hand
said Miss Duchesne, peering SO closely
into the palm that her nose almost
touched the rosy skin. "Let me see.-
let-me-see! The line of luck; the line
of life; the line of love! All, here we
are! Beware of a dark girl. She is
coming between you and the line of
love. She will work you sore trouble
yet"
The girl sat as if some new light had
suddenly dawned upon her brain.
"You mean my Cousin Ariadne?' said
she, Involuntary.
Miss Duchesne nodded.
81 mean your Cousin Ariadne." said
she. "Child, child, can it be possible
that you are so blind as not to
eyes! That woma is winning your lover
away
Cora smiled ~increduously.
sob, but that is quite impossible.
Duke loves me! He is engaged to mel"
"Men are false" said Miss Duchesne
with energy. "There never was one yet
proof against the wiles of a sirene like
Ariadne Buckingham"
Miss Duchesne, you must not talk
So" faltered Cora, with the color vary
ing on her cheek and a startled look in
her eyes. "Ariadne is my guest. Duke
is my engaged lover. i"
Silently Miss Duchesne drew aside the
ruby-velvet draperies of the window and
pointed to where Miss Leslie's own car
rage was drawn up opposite the curb
stone. Ariadne Buckingham tall,
brilliant brunette-wa just stepping out.
Marmaduke Chesterton, bowling low over
her hand, pressed his lips to it as he as
sisted her to alight.
$40 you see that y asked Miss .Du-
chesnc.
Cora burst into tears and hurried from
the room just as Miss Buckingham en-
tered from an opposite portal, all smiles,
followed by Mr.. Chesterton.
"Where is Cora q said the brunette,
airily. 81 hope her headache is better.
We have had sucn d delightful morning
at the picture gallery, and VT have
brought home some exquisite cut flowers
to arrange for dinner. Where are they,
Duke ? Bring them in here. | am sure
Cora will excuse us for invading her bot.
DOR
But Miss Duchesne did not return the
fair Ariadne's smiles. She gathered VI
her knitting, made some curt reply about
desiring to be alone, and stalked out %
the room.
Gross old thing - pouted Ariadne
"One would almost imagine, Duke, tina
you were her lover, and hat she wa,
.~iealous ~
She laughed a shrill, sweet tinkle of
sound. Marmaduke Chesterton laughed
also. All that Ariadne Buckingham di,
or said was perfect in his eyes.
Miss ~Buckingham's father had lost hi
all in unfortunate ventures, and Ariadn,
had been brought up on an income o
nothing per annum.
Every II pitied poor Ariadne, who
nevertheless, was always eXquisitel,
dressed, went everywhere, and lived
metaphorically speaking, ON the fat o
the land.
She had written to Cora Leslie, he
mothers cousin, that she would like t,
spend a winter with her; and Cora, full
of sweet, w0manly compassion, ha'
promptly sent money for her to come.
Il never had a sister," wrote Cora
''and / am sure that | shall love yo,
dearly"
And it was thus that Ariadne had re
warded her, The old story over again o
the serpent who stings it's bencfactor.
But although Cora had been blind, tn
rest of the world, like Miss Duchesne
were more clear-sighted.
Colonel Navason, Mr.. Chestcrton's un
Gle, took him sternly to task for his defec
ton from the line of equity.
Duke laughed.
"My dear uncle" said he, ''you tax,
things o seriously! Cannot an en-
gagged man SO much as look at anothe
woman
But one day, in b!ossony May, Colone
Varason's card WAS brought up to Mis-
Leslie.
Cora was preparing to 60 out with Mis-
Duchesne for n drive. She WAS full G
bright happiness that morning, and eve
Miss Duchesne breathed more freely, f.
Ariadne buckingham had left them tn
night before III response-ss at least sh
gave them t. understandable n telegraI
from her father, who was i'll. The night
mare dream was over atlast-all the worl
was May!
She ran down into the d~rawing-room
where Colonel Vavason leaned agains
the mantel, tall, pale and handsome.
"Oh, Colonel" she said, brightly, g
am so glad to see you, Duke is Gem
ing"