Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-10-20
THE THIEF'S CROSS

THE time has come" said Nicotine
to the group OF friends who were
around her. ito prove the usefulness
OF my so-called fad" As 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, Nicotine? And what
shall you do with me II l am found
guilty."
Now. that's too bad" said the
drawing voice in the corner; Miss
Sargeants 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 pair OF Arm, manly
hands.
"You may rest assured" said Nico-
line, very gravely, that shall convict
no one on my evidence. This investi-
CATION Is simply for my own gratihca-
ton and to satisfy very troubled
mind.
Il am trying to discover" remarked
Nicotine. as she held up DR.. Denton's
hand to the light, the thief's cross"
ugh! How gruesome!" exclaimed
a pretty little blonde. who was admir-
ing her dimpled fingers.
Nicotine examined each hand with
grave attention, throwing out pointed
remarks suitable to the character OF
each. When she had finished she
paused moment before the fireplace.
We'll, Investigator OF the future,
which Is the Judas among us?" asked
Mrs. Grant.
DIR. Denton. who was sitting nearest
the fire, glanced at Nicotine Just then
and saw she was very white and was
trembling. "Oh, | say" he exclaimed,
hurriedly. lets have a game of cards
In the other room. I'll arrange the ia
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 at the lmpromptu
jokes which DIR. Denton was contrlving
to fashion. Nicotine was left alone as
she thought. but turning away from
the fire she looked straight into the
eyes OF Paul Sinclair.
Nicotine" he said, very gravely his
handsome face flushed with feeling,
you cannot imagine for a moment
He stopped and looked searchingly into
her brown eyes.
Yes" was the slow reply, Il do
imaglne-indeed, think l know.
never saw your hand before tonight,
and that horrible cross In the palm,
at just the exact spot. They say 1t Is
infallible."
you suspect me, then OF robbing
you Of your necklace, Nicollne?" the
man said in a strained voice. why
Nicotine. you are wronging yourself as
well as me by such thought. Why
we've been trusted friends for years
and lately I've thought that you-l
know that have cared for you In quite
a different
ooh, stop, Paul" cried Nicotine, turn
ing away from him. you and Kate
were the only ones In the house who
knew had the necklace. II was
mothers, and was very valuable.
know It's terrible to accuse you of a
crime; but your hand, Paul, your hand
and the cross" Nicotine shuddered
and hid her face In her hands.
you foolish child" said Paul In his
deep tender voice. you haven't even
given me fair trial. Look at both my
hands and see II the cross Is in each. +"
He held out both hands to her in the
full light. There in the corner OF one
palm was a deep cross, but the other
was perfectly smooth. Nicotine looked
at him incredulously, hesitatlng.
do you remember, little doubter,
that years ago when we were skating
on the Ice we fell down and cut this
hand on a Jagged bit OF stone? You
said at that time 1t would leave an
ugly mark. Have you forgotten, or has
your love for palmistry overcome
everything else In you?"
Nicotine was trembling more violent
ly than before, and her eyes were on
the ground.
II beg your pardon, Paul. Oh, I'm
so sorry. I've been very foolish Can
you forgive me?"
ION one condition." answered Paul,
taking her hands and drawing her to-
ward him, that you will look into my
eyes and tell me plainly what you read
there"
And Nicolne's answer was written
In her own also.-Chlcago Journal.