The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-11-05

ure. none Of us could hit upon an ex-
planation
It was two weeks before Martha
dreamed again
THE little old woman came to me
again last night" she said drearily.
one of the upper corners of the card
was torn off. | wonder what that
means"
That afternoon we saw the Jack
Cf Spades Martha and | attended n
reception given at the art institute By
a prominent painter. Late In the day
we found ourselves comparatively alone
before n peculiarly fascinating little
sketch In black and white. 1t repre-
sented game of cards among priest
"a soldier a peasant and a boy. The
priest had cut the pack and the horror
mat overspread the cOuntenances Of
all fuur when they saw that spades
VAS the trump card was so admirably
Gepicted that IL was departed to us
aud an uncomfortable creepy sensation
began to steal over me. warning me
that II was time for us to seek more
llHeiv corner of the gallery Sudden
~ upon looking up, / saw the Jack Uf
Spades standing close by Marthus
side
II trust / am not intrudng ladies'"
he said very softly. "I am very sorry
l nave had no opportunity of seeing
you since the night of the opera. There
were no serious effects / hope. from
the damp and cold?"
NO" said brusquely "Other
things have given us far greater con-
cern than the weather. Where did
you go that night"
clara" Martha put in, deprecat-
inglv.
Where did you go? he repeated.
not needing the interruption. why |
went home of course. where did you
eo?"
Home" said I, to Flat D"
Really" said he languidly. this is
too absurd to talk about. Let's discusss
art. Isn't that a wonderfully realistic
thing, that little card scene in black
ana white? 1t, seems as though there
are some people whom spades are
bound to follow throughout life.
am one Of those persons. but to me
they mean nothing but good. But
rear | am annoying you. | will detain
you no longer"
There was hurried goodbye to me-
a swift keen look at Martha and he
was gone again as quickly and as si-
lently as he had come. While talking
he had moved around in front ~ us
ana rad stood for a moment with one
hand resting on the eXtenuation of
the window sill. Martha and I stared
at the doorway through which he had
passed in mute surprise, then, realiz.
ing that there could be no chance of
pursuing him we turned to the window
Sill. He had left a scrap OF paper ly-
ing there. Martha snatched it hastily.
IL was small leaf that had be en- twice
folded and turned down at the corner,
1t was addressed to her.
The little old woman was wrong :"
he wrote. My will Is not law. mex
orable and unalterable Were It so in
deed, ] should not go away without
knowing you. Last night she came to
me again with the queen Of diamonds
and that is you. The upper finland
corner was torn off the card DO you
Know what that means? 1t means that
we shall never see each other again,
am called away. Good fortune awaits
me where ! go. I trust the same may
come to you. Above all, do not think
or me. Our romance is ended. Yours
sincerely, The Jack Of Spades"
Then. for the first time in her life,
Martha tainted. She was very i'll for
two weeks after that and 1t was more
than a month before she was able to
resume her old place in our home.
Martha" said my husband. one
morning in early May, Il have Just re-
ceived letter from my friend James
Hotter. He is ready to visit us now.
You must think no more of my old
plans, Martha. have given up the
idea entirely. On the contrary. | shall
try to find the Jack of Spades for you.
If he Is worthy you may have him. Do
you dream any more?"
NO" said Martha land please, Jo-
seph, do not try to find the Jack of
Spades. I'm glad your friend is COM
ing. He will be company for me-"
Martha and I were greatly disap-
pointed in my husbands much-talked-
OF friend. He might have been excep-
tionally learned, as Joseph declared,
but he did not look it, and he might
have been the handsomest man in the
world-another bit of my husbands 8
fulsome praise-but could not see him
in that light. To my mind he seemed
very ordinary person, indeed. | told
Martha go.
You are right" said she. II can't
see for the life Of me why Joseph
should find him so interesting"
Martha" said !, presently. doesn't
he seem familiar in some way. Doesn't
he impress you as some one whom you
have seen before?"
Martha blushed. II don't know"
she said.
well, feel that way about it," said
T. Il may be losing my senses, but
somehow he reminds me Of the Jack of
Spades"
"Oh, Clara"
Yes" l went on. mercilessly: "his
voice is the same and his eyes are the
same To be sure. this Mr.. Hotter is
not so tall nor so dark nor so hand
some as the Jack of Spades but they
look very much alike for all that"
You come across those striking re-
semblances once in awhile" said
Martha.
dreamed again.
Il saw the little old woman last
night" she said to me one morning,
and she had brand-new Jack OF
Spades. What do you suppose that
means?"
The next day her engagement to Mr..
Hotter was announced to the immedi-
ate friends and relatives. A few even
ings later Joseph and l were discussing
the coming wedding.
MY dear" said ]. abruptly. after a
short pause, II can't help but think
that you know something about the
Jack of Spades"