Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-11-19

fou believe in it-snd yoa are afraid
OF it,"
She hesitated for a moment, looking
at him in silence. then made an i'm
patient movement.
And il l do believe in it," she re-
turned. IF do believe in It. and il /
have had good reason to believe in it,
what then9"
What them" echoed Archie Lennox.
her future husband and Keith's best
friend. What then. Keith? Why
shouldn't she believe in it?'
Keith looked quietly from one to the
other.
Il am very glad she does believe in
1t. he said Il believe in it myself.
and know a good deal about it,"
"You." exclaimed Archie Lennox.
and Millicent. who had joined the
group. echoed the exclamation in even
greater establishment
You don't know all my secrets.
Archie said Keith. with a smile:
neither do you. Millicent. Perhaps I
have more surprises in store for you.
Yes, l understand palmistry, and at
one time, some years ago now. 1 took
II up quite seriously. l was very sue
cessful with it. too; so successful that
in certain circles l went by the nick
name of the Peerless Palmist."
by Jove." said Archie.
Millicent said nothing; but, perhaps.
like the oft-quoted parrot, she thought
the more
Keith turned once more to Mrs. Lor-
raine. and his keen eyes looked
straight into hers as be moved nearer
to her chair.
viii YOU" he asked, ALLOW me the
honor of reading your hand?"
But she shrank away from him. and
Millicent. who was watching her more
attentively than the others, saw that
even her lips were white
No" she said. no; would rather
not. I had it read once, and don't
care to have it done again. You can't
tell me anything that l don't know
Keith was still looking at her.
But I might tell Archie something
that he doesn't know" he said
Archie burst out laughing.
That's a good joke!" he cried. IT
dare say you could tell me something
that | don't know. old chap. consider
ing how very little 1 do know. Come
Hildegarde. give him your hand. and
let him tell me all your secrets. You
ought to share yoEr secrets with me
now. you know. but never had one to
share with anybody. so you won't get
much change out OF me-"
He smiled down at her with edoring
eyes. and Keith frowned and drew in
his breath sharply. The look on the
handsome, sunny, boyish face express
ed such perfect love and trust that il
hurt him like a blow. How would it
be. he wondered, when that love was
dead and that trust brokene
Mrs. Lorraine laid her hand on her
lovers arm with light caressing ges-
ture.
Don't make me. Archie she said;
Il don't want to-
But Archie. still laughing, took her
hand in his and held it out to Keith.
IT'S only fun. dear" he said. Let
him show us what he can do. II isn't
twice in a lifetime that you get the
chance OF having your fate foretoId by
a Peerless Palmist"
He laughed again irrepressihly. but
Mrs. Lorraine did not laugh. MiIiicent
could have sworn that she saw her
shiver.
Keith took her unwilling hand and
held il for moment. gazing intently
at the network of lines that crossed
and recrossed the palm, then he drop
ned il and turned away
Il never oppose lady" he said. Its
all right, Archie. The day may come
when Mrs. Lorraine will honor me with
mere confidence than she does now"
Obi but it isn't want of confidence.
old chap" Archie said eagerly, fearful
lest his friends feelings should be hurt
| ever so little. 1T isn't want of con-
fidence is it. Hildegarde? It's-it's-''
Keith looked back over his shoulder
to interrupt him.
Take my advice. Archie" he said
imperturbably; never try to explain
a woman's actions. Life isn't long
enough.
Archie turned once more to Mrs.
| Lorraine.
Say something to him, Hildegarde, q
/ he urged Tell him"
Keith interrupted him again.
Mrs. Lorraine is not going to tell
me anything" he said. Perhaps some
day she may tell me something, and ]
may tell her something; but not now,
! Now ] am going TO write letters. Tins
and the post wait for no man"
!
She stood erect ana graceful; mo
tionleSs as if chiselled from marble
Her beauty might have moved tn,
strongest man. yet be who stood facinr
her was not moved at all. His eye.
expressed no admiration az they gazed
down into hers; RothiRs bat scorn anc
bitter hatred
You wanted to speak to me-" sale
Hildeg gards Lorraine, ''Aad I hav,
come
Keith shaded.
''SAatl l. he asked eel etIy, tell zee
what | read in your hand?"
She smiled. too. mocariagay. szS hex