The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-04-23

All DAY long the beautiful, black-eyed
gypsy girl told fortunes ON the Rothley
Fair Grounds. She became the fashion
after an hour or two. One or two lucky
hits-a shrewd guess here-a pretty play of
language there-and her fame spread rapid
~ abroad. She laughed within her heart
as she told fortunes to staring people who
knew her at home as g Howitt's bound girl,
that wild Rhoda Lee, lis she foretold
second wife to old Deacon Philbricl who
was always scolding her for giggling in
church-and promised rich lover to Miss
Pamela Peck, the tailoress who had boxed
her ears with the thimble hand, not month
ago Fortunes flew aboat like golden leaves
il an October gale-everybody was pleased,
erd one or two really believed that there
was something in her palmistry beyond the
ordinary rules of science. The little no.
handled pitcher in which Rhoda dropped
her gains was nearly half full of silver pieces
of various denominations, and the girls
large eyes were glittering with exultation
and excitement, when all of sudden the
fortune-telling came to an abrupt terlnina.
A small lad whose purse could not COM
pass the ten cents admission fee, was en-s
dcayoring, just at dusk, to insinuate his
lank body under the folds of the tent ct the
back. Some especially energetic wriggle
tore up one ofthe wooden pegs--the drapery
fell sidewise across the little kerosene lamp
that Rhoda had just lighted. In an instant
everything WIS in light blaze.
/" i knew it, said Mrs. Hewitt 9. | al
ways foretold it, from the very first. She
always was in some sort of mischief since
first took her from the Asylum"
Mamma mamma !" faiterea poor, sob
bling Penelope, twill she die I? Is this this
way God is going to punish me for not tell
ing you about it? Bnt promised her Is
it wickeder not to tell ones mother than it
is to tell lie ?"
All, poor Rhodal /" said Mrs Hewitt,
wisely evading her little daughters Sphinx
like question. She knew very we'll that she
was no G1ipus. And in her secret heart
she felt sorry for poor Rhoda, who was so
fearfully burned
1t was oil very well as long as the girl lay
on the border-land of death. But when she
began to recover, the long deferred tempest
of reproaehes descended on her devoted
head, ON which the hair, all shon away in
fever, was beginning to grow, in soft, silky.
rings like those of baby.
. You deserve it all,n said Miss Pamele
Peck, the tailoress. whose rich lover haG
not yet come. Making fools of yoLr bet
sers in that ridiculom, inmodest sort of
way
8 But Rhoda couldn't have told your for
tune if you hadn't come to her to have it
told; yes, and paid hei ten cent?, too =
cried vehement little Penelope.
g You are certainly preparing for some
bad end" groaned Grandmother Hewitt,
(who believed that three quarters of the
world, at least, were to be burned in ever.
lasting fire.
And presently Mr.. Allan came in-Mr.
Allan, the tall, pale young clergyman, who
had been SO kind to her through all that
weary illness. In fact, Rhoda could almost
have wished to lie there i'll, forever, to be
sure that she had his sympathy, his tender
interest
!" Rhoda," he said, gently, you are bet.
Ter now-you are sitting up"
g Yes" she said, family.
Then tell me the whole story of your
girlish fanlt," he said. up to this time
You have been too weak for me to speak in
the tone which is, perhaps. most needful
for you."
know am wicked GIRL" she said,
dejectedly. ~ know that l am rightly
punished, but if all the past could be un-
done-I think I should do it over again
9 Tell me why Rhoda," he asked
II wanted to earn money! she said, with
downcast eyes.
My poor child and what use could
you have had for money ~ he asked, COM
passionately.
q Must tell you allS"
Yes, tell me oil. Believe me, / will be-
tray no trust Of yours said Mr.. Allan,
earnestly.
'' wanted y new dress" she said, in
S~uiotty uuNibhO tpuCs. hdiliou W NC
able to go toto Your historical lectures,
Mr. Allan -
And then poor Rhoda burst into tears.
Little Penelope was waiting down by the
lane, to see the minister as he passed by.
q Mr.. Allan, is she very wickedS" she
whispered.
Allan took the child's hand with smile.
No, Penny" he said. " She is very
good. Listen, little Penny, and will tell
You secret"
Penelope's eyes frightened Rhoda
used to tell me all her secrets" said she.
This is secret which we share between
u.s. said Mr. Allan I" When Rhoda il a
little stronger, am going TO marry her,
and take her to the Parsonage. VIII you
come there, sometimes, and visit her,
Penny 2"
Penelope gave cry of delight.
1T Is Just ike the end of all the story
books, said abe. g And they were mar
ried and lived happy ever after. MyRhoda!
my darling Rhoda Oh, I am so glad !"
She limped away to the house to kiss and
hug Rhoda. Mr.. Allan looked after her
with eyes Of grave happiness and content.
I" And they were married and lived hap