Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1898-09-09

reading between the lines, and i can
read between the lines Of that speech.
You believe in it--and you are afraid
Of IT,"
She hesltated for a moment, looking
at him In silence, then made an Inn
patient movement
And II l do believe In IT," she re-
turned III do believe in It, and II
have had good reason to believe in it
what them"
What then?" 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.
II am very glad she does believe in
It," he said Il believe in It myself,
and l know a good deal about it."
"You!" exclaimed Archie Lennox,
and Mlllicent, 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
have more surprises in store for you.
Yes, l understand palmistry. and at
one time. some years ago now, took
II up quite seriously. | was very sue
cessful with IT, too; so successful that
In certain circles ] went by the nick
name of the Peerless Palmist."
by Jovei" said Archie.
MlllIcent 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 he moved nearer
to her chair.
'Will 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, mo; l 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 l might tell Archie something
that he doesn't know" he said.
Archie burst out laughing.
That's a good jokel" he cried. II
dare say you could tell me something
that l don't know, old chap, consider
ing how very little l do know. Come
Hildegarde. give him your hand, and
let him tell me all your secrets. You
ought to share your secrets with me
now, you know. but never had one to
share with anybody, 80 you won't get
much change out of me-"
He smiled down at her with adorlng
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 II
hurt him like a blow. How would II
be, he wondered, when that love was
dead and that trust broken?
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-"
DuN fAlNhiVB oNiii lduBhAhbg lOOA uCI
hand in his and held 1t out to Keith.
"It's only fun, dear" he said. LET
him show us what he can do. It isn't
twice in a lifetime that you get the
chance of having your fate foretold by
Peerless Palmist."
He laughed again irrepressibly, but
Mrs. Lorraine did not laugh. Miilicent
hau haf akn 4.
shiver.
Keith took her unwilling hand and
held 1t for a moment, gazing intently
at the network of lines that crossed
and recrossed the palm, then he drop
ped 1t and turned away.
81 never oppose lady" he said. "It's
all right, Archie. The day may come
when Mrs. Lorraine will honor me with
more confidence than she does now"
"Ohl but 1t 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 1t, 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
woman's actions. Life isn't long
enough"
Archie turned once more to Mrs
Lorraine.
Say something to him, Hildegarde,
he urged. Tell him"
Keith interrupted him again.
=
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. Time
and the post wait for no man."
She stood erect and graceful; mo.
tionless as II chiselled from marble
Her beauty might have moved tht
strongest man, yet he who stood facinl
her was not moved at all. His eyei
expressed no admiration as they gazet
down into hers; nothing but scorn ant
bitter hatred.
"You wanted to speak to me-" saii
Hlldergarde Lorraine. "and hav,
come"
Keith smiled.
"shall l." he asked quietly, tell you
what read In your handy
She smiled, too. mockingly, and he,
eyes flashed defiance into his.
"As you like" she answered Will
! -. n. ~ a