The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-08-18
READING HER PALM.
kS ~ ND of course I'll tel! you all that
y he says" she promised, laughing,
as she left him in the outer Office

the great pamist.
1t was rather foolish of Edna to insist
upon having her hand read, but then. it
didn't matter. Everyone was doing it
now. Indeed, it was quite the fad, and if
Edna wanted to be told again some of her
adorable qualities, it was all right. Of
course they never told anything else
1t was taking long time, too. But,
pshaw! 1t was only a matter of business.
At least, if he held her hand for the study
of lines, he could not fail to see the diamond
ring which he had placed there.
He heard the door open and turned
quickly. She was coming, and there was
troubled smile on her face
Il suppose he told you some very nice
things?" he queried, as they walked up the
avenue.
"Yes-that is-Bruce do you believe in
it" She looked at him with almost an
entreaty in her eyes.
"No, don't" He said it bluntly, as if
in reinsurance. 81 don't know anything
about it, but if he said anything to trouble
you, it's all bosh."
She smiled at his vehemence 1T might
be the truth, even if we didn't like it, you
know" she ventured. Gust because we
dislike it We ought not to disbelieve it, |
suppose. THAT is-well, he thinks"
She gave him a quick glance. ''Ie thinks
we ought not to get married." she continued,
with an effort.
"The-" He stopped in time, but a flush
rose in his face.
"He read my hand very correctly" she
went on, looking straight ahead of her and
walking rapidly. "He told me about my
long sickness two years ago, and the trip to
Europe, and all about me, my character
and all, and the little affair with Rogers,
and about you and everything"
did he say you were jealous?" This,
mischievously.
"Yes-but that was too constant in my
love. just the same. SO that ought to balance
They laughed together.
"And so he doesn't want you to marry
me-" he said, as the door closed behind
them and he took her impulsivey in his
arms. 'The idea, Edna! Tell me about
it. He objected? 1t must have been
case of love at first sight"
The troubled look returned to her face,
and she attempted to draw away.
mo, tell it to me here" He drew her
down to scat beside him.
He told all about our meeting, and my
visit to him, and this-this trouble"
There isn't any trouble" he exclaimed,
bending TO kiss her. eve never had any
trouble, dear"
He said would be very unhappy" she
continued.
Uncomplimentary-"
"No!' she pouted. at wouldn't be
your fault, you see. 1t is l. IL would
be jealous, and exacting, and unreasonable;
and there were very strong lines, showing
that l would be very miserable. See
There!"
"But you don't believe this, Edna-dol
you? Not this?"
Il don't know" The tears were begin
ming to fall now. "Your lines are just the
same there she sobbed, studying his hand.
Don't you see? We would both be dread
fully unhappy"
mo, we wouldn't. 1 couldn't be with
you, dear"
You might"
"No-it would be impossible"
But I'm not going to marry you"
WHAT"
m not going to marry you. If twas
just myself alone, it wouldn't be go bad, but
you would be unhappy, too. couldn't
stand that"
But if the lines are there, don't see
but I'd have to be unhappy, whomever
married, and I'd rather be unhappy with
you than not"
'What do you mean by whomever you
married?" She stared at him with wide
opened eyes.
'Why, if you wouldn't marry me, and /
well, if after awhile, I'd get desperate and
marry someone else, you know, I'd be un-
happy with her also, so it would be just as
bad"
Gould you marry anyone else?" She
looked at him fairly indignant.
II might get desperate, you see."
"Oh!' She drew away with a d!gnifed
motion and rose to her feet. THAT set
lies it. 1t is very clear to me, she said in
rather trembly voice; ''for when man
can talk as you do about marrying some
one else when he pretends to love me, it is
decided indication that We have made
dreadful mistake and been utterly wrong
can only be too glad that have found it
out in time"
He attempted to speak.
81 wish You wouldn't" she said, looking
at him with entreaty. IF you think that
you love me, want you to CO."
There was a great deal of interest mani
tested in young Bruce and his projected
western tour. 1t was quite the talk of the
club, for ne was going in regular pioneer
fashion, only with appointments up to date.
They were all invited out to inspect the
big house wagon in which he was going to
make the trip.
1t certainly was very convenient and de-
:idedly unique; and the women of the par
~ gloried in the complete kitchen furnish
ings, with the aluminium utensils and tiny
stove.
Edna was one of them. They had long
since become lust good friends, you
know" as she explained to her friends.
Now she was peculiarly ihterestcd in this
wagon, and she was perhaps trhe pale
as she looked about and took in all the ap-
pointments. Indeed, she and Bruce had
planned this very thing one glorious night
by the sea. 1t had been ordered then, and
here it was done-and he was going alone.
If she had been going, there would
have been long mirror in place of the
little square one, and more hooks, and
well, it didn't matter. She had no especial
interest in it now. of course.
81 suppose you don't mind taking the
trip alone" she heard one of the men sug-
gest. "Of course you'll pick up plenty of
folks on the road. You may turn it into
travelling hotel, before you know" i
Ills stars predict that he won't take it
all alone" another said. But then. you
don't believe in astrology, do you?"
Edna did not wait to hear the reply. She
stepped quickly out among them.
9sOf noprso ba Joosptt ,n.,ro,oI e.,