The Penn's Grove record., 1897-03-19
NELL'S GUARANTEE.
BY LEIGH FORD.

her hands to her head in a pretty al
fectation of wisdom.
"That means love-" laying her nm
ger on the five of hearts, "eternal
love-ihe love of some woman. IL
looks like an old friend, and she runs
in hearts l think. Yes, she is quite
light; eau you plnce her?"
"As far rs the coloring goes" he
laughed; 81 know any number of light
women; yourself for instance"
"Oh! I'm not in it; my hair is too
yellow. This one is more Of the demi-
blonde, something like Miss Maitland,
bronze hair and blue eyes"
my dear girl, Miss Maitland isn't
a blonde at all; if you can't do better
than that for me, I'll throw up the
whole concern"
She smiled and ran off a few more
cards, counting every third one IN
quite a professional manner
"Welll 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 a wish?"
He shook his head. "You didn't
tell me-"
swell, I tell you now; make it right
away, and q good one too, for l believe
it's going to come true"
"But," he protested, leaning for
ward and resting his arms on the table,
''if / make such an important one, l
want a guarantee are you prepared to
give it to me?"
"Don't be absurd, jack; this is Sc
.ious; now wish something good"
"Must 1 tell you what it ISL"
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. Docs it
,oncern a woman?'
"Yes."
al might have known it. Is she
light or dark?"
THAT would be telling"
"Ohl Yon are too provoking"
petulantly picking up the cards. at
would serve you right if I said you
didn't get your old wish at ALL"
"But you won't do that?"
"Be still. l will if you don't let 60
Of my hands. Secl You are making
me drop all the cards"
"Nonsense! I'll help you pick
them up. just tell ME if I get my
wish"
"Well, I'll see. There's that ten OF
diamonds and the deuce, and-ah! the
ace of hearts. You will have it, sure ;
but there is n little disappointment
Just at first. 1 see-dear me, Jack |
What are you doingl Let go my
hands,"
"Not until you have given me a
guarantee for my wish"
"What do you mean?"
81 mean oh! 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"
she cried, trying to draw away from
him; "you have spoiled all my for.
tune. Lookl Here 1 see n gift com.
ing" .
"What do I care for the cards, or
anything else in the world but you?
Come, Nell! Give me an answer.
You must have some feeling of kind.
ness in your heart for me, your old
friend"
"That's it, she whispered falter.
ingly for tho first time letting he,
eyes meet his. 1--WE are such old
friends. l have known you all m,
life-I-" rubbing her hand on tn,
table nervously, 81 am fonder of yor
than almost any one; but how can
tell if that is love? Jack, dear, cam
we go on in the old way? don
want to marry" Her fingers closed
p~leadingIy. why should we spoil i
all by getting married?"
He made a quick, inpatient ges
turc.
"Oh, ycsl 1 know it is different
with men, but l would DO contente,
to live on just as we nre for Years
Why, see? We would mover know
what it was to tire of each other. W,
would not have all the romano
brushed off our love by the monoto
nous intimacy of married life. W
would have all of the delight wit
none of the despair. l don't kno,
why marriage should be regarded q
tho height and pinnacle of eartLl,
bliss. 1t seems to me it is the on
great institution that destroys love-"
She gave a restless Sigh, and let he
chin sink into the soft palms of he
hands. Tho pink light from I'll
lamp fell upon her yellow hair whsl
it lay in babyish rings on her for,
heads
He stood looking nj her a momen
his heart smothered with pain an
ioDgings and love. Then he leane