Evening journal., 1899-10-24
THE TH1EF'S CROSS

H LII - LL1LAL ~ NlbOJO
The time has come" said Nicoline
to the group OF friends who were
around her, TO prove the usefulness
OF my so-called fad" Az Nicotine
spoke she spread her long, white hands
open before her.
Il have one request to make" she
went on, "and that very simple one
that l may glance at the hand Of
every person In this room"
Every one smiled indulgently, and
Kate Grant, the hostess of the country
house party, said In a mock tragic tone.
You don't suspect us of anything
criminal, do you, Nicoline? And what
shall you do with me If l am found
guilty?
Now, that's too bad" said the
drawing voice in the corner: Miss
Sargeant's dead in earnest, and II she
believes in palmistry / say It's cruel to
make fun OF her belief. for one am
willing to be examined" and Dr. Dem
ton held out a pair OF firm, manly
hands.
you may rest assured" said Nlco-
line, very gravely, that shall convict
no one on my evidence. This investi-
CATION is simply for my own gratlhca-
tion and to satisfy a very troubled
mind
II am trying to discover" remarked
Nicoline. as she held up Dr. Denton's
hand TO the light, the thiefs cross. ."
"Ughl How gruesomel" exclaimed
a pretty little blonde, who was admir-
ing her dimpled fingers.
NicOllua avomfnad aaoh hand with
grave attention, throwing out pointed
remarks suitable to the character OF
each. When she had finished she
paused a moment before the fireplace.
We'll. investigator OF the future,
which is the Judas among us?" asked
Mrs. Grant.
DR.. Denton, who was sitting nearest
the fire, glanced at Nicotine just then
and saw she was very white and was
trembling. oh, I say he exclaimed,
hurrledly, Tets have a game of cards
In the other room. I'll arrange the ta-
bles. Miss Sargeant's tired, and be-
sides she couldn't give us away in that
shape, You know and the company
ready to take up with any new sug-
gestion. proceeded TO the next room,
amid much laughter az the impromptu
jokes which Dr. Denton was contriving
TO fashion. Nicotine was left alone as
she thought, but turning away from
the fire she looked straight into the
eyes Of Paul Sinclair.
"Nicollne," he said, very gravely. his
handsome face flushed with feeling
you cannot imagine for moment
He stopped and looked searchingly into
her brown eyes.
Yes" was the slow reply, Il dc
imaglne--lndeed, / think 4 know ]
never saw your hand before tonight
and that horrible cross In the palm
at iust the exact spot. They say It is
infallible"
You suspect me, then OF robbinp
you OF your necklace, Nicoline?" the
man said in a strained voice why
Nicotine, you are wronging yourself as
well as me by such a thought. Why
we've been trusted friends for years
and lately I've thought that you
know that have cared for you in quit
a different
"oh, stop, Paul" cried Nicotine, turn
ing away from him. You and Kat
were the only ones in the house whit
knew ! had the necklace. II wa
mothers and was very valuable.
know It's terrible to accuse you OF
crime; but your hand, Paul, your hanl
and the cross" Nicotine shuddere,
and hid her face In her hands.
you foolish child" said Paul in hil
deep tender voice. you haven't ever
given me a fair trial. Look at both m,
hands and see II the cross Is in each
He held out both hands to her in th'
full light. There In the corner Of one
palm was a deep cross. but the othei
was perfectly smooth. Nicotine looked
at him incredulously, hesitating.
do you remember, little doubter
that years ago when we were skating
on the ice we fell down and / cut thil
hand on a jagged bit of stone? YoJ
said at that time It would leave an
ugly mark. Have you forgotten, or hal
your love for palmistry overcom,
everything else IN your"
Nicotine was trembling more violent
ly than before, and her eyes we're OF
the ground.
4 Il beg your pardon. Paul Oh, In
so sorry. I've been very foolish. Car
you forgive me?'
'On one condition" answered Paul
/ taking her hands and drawing her to-
ward him. that you will look into m,
eyes and tell me plainly what you reat
there
And Nicoline's answer was writer
in her own also.-Chicago Journal.
Chimney Climate.
Chimney climate" is the latest fol