Daily camera., 1901-06-22

THE child Agatha counted buttons,
and by so doing became the un.
conscious arbiter OF destiny.
The years Of Agatha's life were as
many as were the fingers on one of her
plump hands, and during this shor,
time she had always been teller of
/ fortunes. doling out husbands To such
as were the happy posse essors of but
tons. For those poor creatures who
| had yielded To a mandate from far-ofl
Paris. and accepted hooks and eyes as
gown-fastcnings, Agatha could do
nothing-not the ghost of a husband
could she conjure up withou, the help
OF her little round allies.
Had you not single one in sight
you were doomed to spins,erhood, but
il one-jusi one-could be found
among the folds of your draperies,
you were saved, and Agatha's fat fore
finger would be laid upon il, hile her
shrill little voice would announce tri-
umphantly: Rich man!'-looking
into your eyes to find a reflection of
the Joy in her own dancing blue ones
at having SO OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES to
the buttun-settled your fortune.
The result of two-button fortune she
always announced with falling in
ilcctipn, and the corners of her mouth
would droop in copy OF the expression
she had see n on older faces when poor
man" was found to be their portion.
A, "begcar man" her voice invariably
grew sad and low, and il ycu were fool
ish enough to display four buttons,
the chubby finger would touch the
fatal one mournful!y, while pitying
voice would murmur. as she shook her
golden curls. thief" begging your
pardon for the cruel truth; but again
happy smiles would chase away the
sadness il doctor, lawyer, merchant
or chief fell to your lot. Two, three
and four were the only fortunes that
troubled the little lady.
Oh, but it was thrilling game to
play. 1t was a grief to the child
Agatha that so seldom could she in
dulge in it, owing to the disappearance
Of buttons from the feminine horizon.
But now and again il would chance
that some one great enough 10 resist
the decree OF fashion would drift her
way and display the longed-for fas-
Jennings. To such one Agatha would
turn with screams OF delight, while
the chubby hands would touch the but
tons lovingly. and the childish voice
ring out in words Of prophecy.
/ II was a matinee day at the opera
house, and an enthusiastic throng was
surging through the entrance gate, at
tracted by Nine. Calye as Carmen"
The house was crowded to the doors,
and when the curtain rose on the
Seyllla Square there was not vacant
seat to be had, and scarcely an untitled
box. No. II grand tier, however, was
empty, and many of those standing
turned envious eyes up to its comfort
able seats. For matinee the audience
was brilliant, and one could see many
well-known faces from the 'smart set"
as well as the suburban seat holders
and real music lovers. Functions of
every sort had been sacrificed for the
idol of the hour, the cigarette girl,
Carmen" and the house was gay with
handsome women and resplendent cos
| tunes,
In several boxes of the grand tier
there were children, and one framed
pretty, much-noticed picture. In it
sat golden-haired Agatha and her blue
eyed brother. Arms around each 9TH
er they sat, fresh and dainty and
sweet, unconscious of everything ex-
cept the bewilderment of color and
sound on the stage. The box adjoin
| ing that in which the children sat wa
| No. IL, and was unoccupied until tn
| intermission between the second an
third acts, when a young woman en-
| tered it. She was alone, and seate
herself with such an air of languid in
difference to operas in general and t
Carmen" in particular that one won
| dered for what reason she chose t
lend her presence to the scene. Sh
Olu not even TdlSc uSt iot ShSt oh
sweep the house with an inventoryin
glance. Many glasses, however, wer
| leveled at her. Even in the famil
circle there was murmur OF recof
nition. Sydenham Willoughby
laughter was familiar to all classes
society, for reporters heralded her Dc
ings and printed her portrait whe
there was the slightest excuse for it
and often when there was none, b'
cause she was beauty as we'll as
heiress. Leaning back in her seat sh
was q ravishing vision. Her black We
vet costume was in sharp contrast
the ivory-whiteness of her skin, an
there was an unusual charm in he
expression and manner, which her al
of unconcern heightened.
The curtain rose. There was tw