Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1899-09-30
| FORTUNE TELLER

rrma, the queen OF fortune. as her
own advertisements called her, was a
picture OF beauty disconsolate as she
reclined on her diYan and sighed and
sighed again.
Joe Dalton had fallen in love with
her. He was twenty eight. very hand
some and Of engaging presence and
manner. He and Mary Wallock, other
wise known as Irma, the queen OF for
tune, were ideally mated. Each was
physically splendid: each lived by the
exercise of keen wits. Their morality
was on a level; she was a clever fortune
teller and he an adroit confidence man.
He had been absent about a week on
that afternoon when Irma reclined on
her divan and sighed the sighs of love
despised. She wanted to cry. but pride
forbade her: pride and the possibility of
being called upon professionally at any
moment.
There was knock on tho door and a
slight, pale, tall blorde of hurried. ner-
vous manner walked in. She was about
twenty and coed looking despite her
pallor, and was fsshionably dressed. In
obedience to the queenly motion of IT.
mas hand she took a seat, and without
closure:
= II don't know but you'll think me
silly, Nine. Irma. for this is a very fool
ish thing, maybe, but maybe 1t amt;
anyway, I'm afraid Joe don't care for
me like he used to. and | want to know
you'll think I'm goose now--how to
get him back. Amt there some pow
ders or charms or something? Oh. dear.
me, l hope you won't be offended and
won't laugh at me, but I'm so miser-
able" Here she began TO sob. 1T was
mean of me just to call him Mr.. Dalton,
like a stranger when he was leaving
and-and he called me Miss Thompson,
not Jennie any more, and
When the crying fit was over Irma
said: II don't need to read the cards
for you. l see your lover. He is at
this moment in the company of dark
featured lady and is making love to her.
There is but one way for you to get him
back, and that is to make him jealous.
Allow him to see you accept attentions
from somebody else. Go as far in that
direction as you prudently can"
Irma was lazily glancing over tho
morning papers when her eye fell on
the marriage notices.
She started, trembled and the paper
almost dropped from her hands. With
a little cry she raised 1t near her face
and read-read twice over-the follow
ing
-Thompson.-Y Yesterday. at
the Church of the Nativity, Joseph Dali
ton and MISS Jennie Thompson, by the
rector, Rev. Louis Hansbury"
Irma tainted.
When she recovered consciousness
she was lying on the divan. Her negro
serving woman, looking greatly fright
ened, was holding smelling salts to her
nose, and-yes, there was Joe Dalton
giving directions to the servants aud
saying something about going for a
doctor.
so you are better now dear Irma,"
said Joe, STOPPING over her and speak
ing with all the tenderness of lover.
How dare you come here and use
loving words to me?" she asked "Yuur
place Is beside Mrs. Dalton. Go home to
her. Leave the house this instant, sir"
Il must say l can't understand what
all this Is about" cried Dalton in as
constituent. What is it, Irma? Tell
me what has angered you?"
She tossed the newspaper on the ta-
BILE, pointed with trembling finger at
the marriage notice and then walked
to the door as IL to leave the room.
She wanted a good cry. but could not
cry there In his presence.
why, Irma, dear, that's Cousin Joe's
wedding. What of it?"
There was ring of sincerity in the
question that no one could mistake.
She paused, undecided.
And will you introduce me to Mr..
and Mrs. Dalton?"
"To Mr.. Dalton, yes; but you need no
introduction to Mrs. Dalton. She told
us all about 1t at the wedding, as