The record-union., 1898-07-31
ON THE CARDS.

Can you tell fortunes?" she asked
leaning her elbows on the table and
| shuffling the cards.
Some peoples. Shall I try your
mother's?" Her mother was doing in
the armchair by the fire.
"Oh, don't be silly! NUNS fortune
is told"
Poor mammal"
| We'll, you know what I mean-all
that's worth telling. She refused the
fair man and married the dark one;
wasn't very rich, and wasn't very poor
quite poor enough!" She shrugged
her shoulders and made a dainty GRIM
ace-alas! unnamable. Had two tire
some boys and one very nice girl
VOLTA moi,''
Who was an incorrigible little fiirt
and tease l suggested bitterly.
| Fortunes don't go into such details
about secondary persons, even if they
| happened to be true, which they
| aren't"
"Oh, yes, they do"
Since you know so much about it,
you can tell mine" She scattered the
cards toward me with a crash. Its all
right, mum; I'm only throwing the
cards at Cousin Harry" Her mother
gave a sleepy smile and returned to
her slumbers.
You mustn't blame me if the cards
are unfavorable."
| Il shall know you've made it up if
| they are
! Il wouldn't dream of jesting upon
such subject" l assured her. For
tune telling follows certain essential
principles, which are immutable and"
| Should be practiced, not preached
| Go on"
ITO start with, then, you are the
queen of hearts"
"Why?"
Because the queen of hearts repre-
sents feminine beauty and charm
OH" She leaned back and laughed.
IF you are only going to fiatter me
won't listen
| queen of hearts"
No, I'm not. I'm spades or clubs,
because I'm dark"
| Excuse me; it is not a matter mere
| ly of complexion, but of general ap-
pearance. Spades represent plain peo-
ple diamonds passable people, clubs
nice looking people, and hearts very
nice looking people. Therefore you are
| the queen of hearts.
Lots of people wouldn't consider me
good looking at ALL Her tone invited
contradiction.
Very likely not She flashed an in
dignant glance at me. But the for
tune teller is the sole judge on these
occasions
I'm glad the fortune teller is so ap-
preciative. OF course, l know you're
only pretending" She looked at me
for denial, but I busted myself with
the cards. GO on" she cried
First / shuttle the cards-so. Then
I cut them-so. Now 1 place my hand
on them-so. You place your hand on
top Of mine" She did Now / place
my other hand on top Of yours-so-and
you put your other hand on top OF
mine
I never heard of this before" said
she. doubtfully Neither did l, but it
had occurred to me as an Improvement
Now you must sit quite still and
silent for full minute
Il know / shall laugh"
Then the fortune will be spoiled"
Il don't believe it's necessary"
Yes, it is-to place the teller and the
telee en- rapport.
But we aren't. you know. We always
quarrel-at least. you do
Couldn't we be just for a minute
Milly?" 1 didn't mean to speak seri-
ously, but l did.
She nodded gravely, and | sat look
ing at and watching the pink color
steal over her pretty face. 1 think i
must have been two minutes that We
sat like that, during which l forgavt
all her little wickednesses.
There" said / reluctantly. Nov
for the fortune. Cut the CARDS, Mllly
The fortune must be your own max
ing
You have made me feel quite seri
ous,'' said she with nervous LITTLE
laugh.
1T is going to be a serious fortune.
|, / meant it to be.
'.Then-then won't you cut. too
Harry? To represent other people
1 don't like all the responsibility
Please." So i cut, tCo. 1t didn't mat
ter, you see, because / looked at th'
! cards before j put them down in tn
shape of an open fan around the queer
of hearts. OF course, don't know any
thing about fortune telling. really.
The disposition of the cards" | sait
| gravely, Indicates many possibilitie
of happiness and good fortune if yo'
take your opportunities. but much i
t left to your own decision
What a nuisance. Don't they sa,
) how shall decide?'' I shook my head
/ "The hearts near the queen show tha
{ you are and will be much liked ant
admired"
/ II believe you're making it up"
"The three kings next to her indicat,
! three p2QmirprS-nprhaDS lovers.
Whoever can they be?''
1.-THE king Of clubs, with the othe