, 1897-04-27
LEADING HEARTS.

Oh the shining oak table and put hel
hands to her head in a pretty affectatior
of wisdom.
"That means love, laying her finger
on the five of hearts, eternal love-the
love of some woman. 1t looks like az
old friend, and she runs in hearts, ]
think. Yes, she is quite light. Can you
place herr"
"As far as the coloring goes" he
laughed. Il know any number of light
women-yourself, for instance"
"Oh, I'm not in it! My hair is toe
yellow. This one is more of the demi-
blond; something like Miss Maitland
bronze hair and blue eyes"
my dear girl, Miss Maitland isn't n
blond at all. If You can't do better than
that for me, III throw up the whole
concern"
She smiled and ran off a few more
cards, counting every third one in quite
a professional manner
well. if it's not Miss Maitland -
shaking her head, ''you will have to fill
in the name yourself. There is the ace
of spades. That's bad luck and a death
and Oh, there's your wish! Have you
made wish?"
He shook his head. You didn't tell
me-"
well, l tell you now. Make it right
away, and C good one. too, for l believe
it's going to com true"
But" he protested, leaning forward
and resting his arms on the table. ''if l
make such IN important one 1 want a
guarantee. Are you prepared to give it
to me?"
Don't be absurd. Jack; this is seri.
Gus. Now. wish something good"
Must l tell You what it is?"
No." doubtfully. You don't have
to, but you can if you want to-"
"Well-I will tell you if l get it.
Now, mind, this is very important"
"Select three cards then. Does it con.
cern a woman?"
"Yes."
II might have known it. Is she light
or dark"
THAT would be telling"
ooh, you are too provoking!" petu-
lantly picking up the cards. ut would
serve you right if l said you didn't get
your old wish at ALL"
but you won't do that"
"Be still. will if you don't let u
Of my hands. See! You are making me
drop all the cards"
"Nonsense! I'll help you pick them
up. Just tell me il l get my wish"
well, I'll sec. There's hat ten of
diamonds, and the deuce, and-ab. the
c Of hearts! You will have it, sure,
but there is n little disappointment just
at first. Isee-dear me, Jack! What are
you doing? Let go my hands"
"Not until you have given me guar
antee for my wish"
what do you mean?"
II mean-ob, well, you have known
it all along. You are my wish. No, no,
don't move. Come, dear. be serious with
me for once"
But I don't want to be serious, u she
cried, trying to draw away from him.
"You have spoiled all my fortune.
Lookl Here I see a gift coming"
What do 1 care for the cards or any
thing else in the world but you? Come,
Nelli Give me an answer. You must
have some feeling of kindness in your
heart for me, your old friend"
"That's it," she whispered f~altering-
ly, for the first time letting her eyes
meet his. I'VE are such old friends. I
have known you all my life-I-" rub
bling her hand on the table nervously,
II am fonder of you than almost any
one, but how can / tell if that is love?
Jack, dear, can't we 60 Oh in the old
way2 I don't want to marry" Her fin
gers closed pleadingly. why should we
spoil it all by getting married."
He made u quick, impatient gesture.
"Oh, yes! l know it is different with
men, but / would be contented to live
on Just as we are for years. Why, seei
We would never know what it was to
tire of each other. e, We would not have
all the romance brushed of our love by
the HOMOGENEOUS intimacy Of married
life. We would have all of the delight
with none Of the despair. don't know
why marriage should be regarded rs the
height and pinnacle of earthly bliss. It
seems to me it ia the one great institu-
ton that destroys love-"
She gave a restless sigh and let her
chin sink into the soft palms Of her
handA The pink light from the lamp
fell upon her yellow hair, where it lay
IN babyieh rings on her forehead.
He stood looking at her a moment,
his heart smothered with pain and long
ing and love. Then he leaned slowly
forward and took both her hands from
her face and held them in the firm clasp
Of his
"Nell, DEAR" he said softly. "you
talk this way because you don't know
what love Ia Why, do you suppose TO
. moment that . mere pleasant compan
iouship would satisfy q man who LOVED
you? He would be only half a man II
accept what you suggested. As for me
cannot 60 on with u friendship.
will not take q crust when I have aske'
for bread. You cannot help H. dear, AM
Tnngt daop cut Of your Life and live m!
own % best ! may"
He dropped her hands, and, turninl
sway, hogan to finger mechanically tn
iittls string thas regulated tie lamp I'm
II ~ nans began 70 dicesr and fnall
wsnto ~