Middletown transcript., 1897-01-23


| preciate it. !"
"Oh, you don't know anything abou
him." she said, tossing her head in en-
joyment of Angles discontinue. II
takes woman of knowledge Of human
nature to see through such a man. HI
is simply hattering me to predispos'
me in his favor. And now want you
to do something for me, dear. want
you to invite him here to night. You
know you tell fortunes beautifully witt
tea grounds. l want you to tell hin
his fortune, terminating with thiE
affair or the letter, and when you have
aroused him to high pitch of anxiety
concerning my reply. will stsp into
the room, quite by accident, and you
of course, will be taken aback and re-
tire precipitately."
Angie, mastering the feeling of re-
volt with which her friends cold blood
ed reception of her suitor's hand i'll
spired her, entered into her plans with
an assumed seriousness that awakened
in Agnes an unpleasant suspicion that
she was amusing herselr at her.expense.
sat any rate, / shall laugh last; y
thought Agnes.
Angie sent for Mr.. Ellerd, aud h av-
ing dressed in a simple white gown
with a dash of pink, that threw IA
pretty glow beneath her eyes, she
waited among the cushions Of a diVan.
Agnes had arrayed herself elaborately
in AN imported costume, displaying her
Gguie to its greatest advantage.
The electric bell rang and Harry was
announced. He was visibly embar-
rassed, but Angles frank and cordial
reception soon put him at ease, aud
presently when she kindied the tiny
alcohol flame beneath the brass teapot,
saying, II am going to brew you cup
of tea, and if you don'S mind the
grounds l will tell your fortune," he
had quite recovered his self possession.
"I shall be glad to have you do so," he
replied, ''for I am very desirious of
knowing my fate" Angie glanced to-
ward the portieres, which trembled
noticeably. His eyes followed hers,
and he said: "There seems to be draft.
Is the window openP Do you feel
chilly? I will close it," And he arose
with alacrity to cross the room.
"Oh-no, nop' said Angie precipi-
lately. "You must not-that is, l
mean-I am not chilly" Then she be.
gan to talk rapidly to conceal her con-
/ fusion, while he sat down, looking at
her curiously.
After he had disposed Of his tea, she
ordered him to reverse the cup on
the saucer and turn it three times.
This he did, wondering what motive
had prompted her to select this pecul-
lar method of entertainment. As he
handed her the cup she said Impress
lively; 81 see young man. "He has
written letter." Here her auditor
colored, evading her glance. "He has
written it in great haste," she contin :
ued, 'and very carelessly, which he
should not have done considering the
importance Of its subs anse." At this
point they were interrupted by cough
from the portieres. Harry Ellard
looked at her steadily. "Angie, is
there anyone behind those curtainsP"
"Don't interrupt" was the reply.
"Listen to what have to say. The
young man neglected to address the
letter further than the Christian name
of the lady for whom it was intended.
It was returned to him, and this morn
ing the lady received it in somewhat
demoralized condition. The lady loves
you very much, and her answer''-
The portieres were thrown apart
and Agnes stepped out, just in time to
see him knock the teacup from Angles
hand as he made wild rush toward
her.
"Angie-you hoaxW he cried, COW
ering her in his big arms and holding
the face of the struggling girl where
he could kiss her lis over and over
again, "Why didn't you tell me at
once that you had received the letter."
"Because-because,' turning her
head with difficulty and glancing at
Agnes, 81 did not receive the letter at
all. 1t went to Agnes"
"But you kLew it was for you."
81 suspected-but you had The e. in
the wrong place.n But at this point
Agnes passed out Of the room, slam
ming the door.-St. Louis Globe-Dem-
ocrat.