Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-11-08
SELECTIONS.
he LOST THEM BOTH.

fortune tOldfv
Cora started at sudden question
and then smiled.
81" said she, {" my fortune told
How should IL We city girls never
stumble across gypsy camps"
Old Miss Duchesne was sallow,
with very black hair, scarcely as YET
sprinkled with gray, although 60
years had passed over it; sharp black
eyes, and nose and chin which
nearly met. She looked almost like
a sphinx herself as she sat there.
81 used to tell fortunes when
was girl" said she.
"With cards." laughed Cora.
"No, by palmistry. Shall tel
yours7"
Cora locked at the old lady with
surprise. Was she in jest or earnest
Why did she speak so sharply
Why did those glittering eyes seem
to burn their way into her very
brain
But Miss Duchesne had been the
school friend of Cora's mother years
ago, and Cora had always humored
her aocan I ricit;oo
eff you choose" she said, hest
tating.
"Give me your hand" said Miss
DncheSne; the same hand which
you are one day going to bestow
upon Duke Chesterton in marriage
eyes," said Cora calmly.
"a white, plump, velvety little
hand" said Miss Duchesne, peering
so closely into the palm that heI
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 dark girl. She is coming be
tween you and the line of love. She
will work you sore trouble yet"
The girl sat as If some new hight
had suddenly dawned upon her
brain.
You mean my cousin Ariadne y
said she. "Child, child! can it be
possible that you are so blind as not
to see what is going on under your
very eyes? That woman is winning
your lover away"
Cora smiled incredulously.
sob, but that is quite impossible.
Duke loves me! He is engaged to
me!n
"Men are false" said Miss Ouch
esne with energy. "There never was
yet one proof against the wiles OF
a siren like Ariadne Buckingham"
"Miss Duchesne, you must not
talk So" faltered Cora with the color
varying on her cheek and startled
look in her eyes. Ariadne is my
guest. Duke is my engaged lover.
~
Silently Miss Duchesne drew aside
the ruby-velvet draperies of the
window and pointed to where Miss
Leslie's own carriage was drawn up
opposite the curbstone. Ariadne
Duckingham-a tall, brilliant bru-
nette-was just stepping out. Mar
maduke Chesterton, bowling low over
her hand, pressed his lips to it as he
assisted her to alight.
ado you see that ~ asked Miss
Duchesne.'
Cora burst into tears, and hurried
from the room just as Miss Bucking-
ham entered from an opposite portal,
all smiles, followed by Mr.. Chester
ton.
/" Where is Cora ~ said the bru.
nette airily. II hope her headache
is better. We have had such de-
lightful morning at the picture gal.
lery, and we have brought home
some exquisite cut flowers to arrange
for dinner. Where are they, Duke
Bring them in here. lam sure Cora
will excuse us for invading her bou
doir.
But Miss Duchesne did not RET urn
the fair Ariadne's smiles. She gath.
cred up her knitting, made some
urt.reply about desiring to be alone,
and stalked out of the room.
"Cross old thingv pouting Ariad.
ne. "One would almost imagine,
Duke, that you were her lover, and
that she was jealousw
She laughed shrill, sweet tinkle
of sound. Marmaduke Chestsrton
laughed also. All that Ariadne
Buckingham did or said was perfect
in his eyes.
Miss Buckingham's father had lost
all in unfortunate ventures, and
Ariadne had been brought up on an
income of nothing per annum.