The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-03-21
CHANGED HIS MIND.
DY w1N1FRED GRAHAM.

Sne had danced three times with Reginald
Blackmore quite at the end of very inter
esting ball.
Editha looked exceedingly pretty in even
ing dress; she lit up" WE'LL Her eyes
seemed bigger and brighter at night; her
neck and shoulders were her chief beauty
| why did l not discover you sooner?" he
asked.
Perhaps you didn't look" she answered,
saucily.
Give been looking for you all my life. !"
| The words were spoken dreamily during
the soft music of a waltz, and the hand hold
ing hers frightened. She felt her pulses
quicken, a delicate flush rose to her cheeks;
as a rule Editha was pale, colorless.
Il failed to catch your name," she STAN
mered, partly because she could think of
nothing else to say.
Backmore-Reginald Blackmore, terri
bly, tired of life, but at your service"
"You must be easily tired, for you can't
have lived very long, remarked Editha.
Long enough to discover the hollowness
of things. Perhaps you will be kind to me;
a pretty woman can make even a ballroom
a little Paradise, if she chooses to be kind"
Editha did her best; she rose to the occa-
sion with great spirit. At last she had met
kindred soul, one in sympathy with her
own, and the soul fortunately dwelt in
fine, well-set figure and shone through pair
of dangerously attractive eyes. After three
dances she was obliged to go. He held her
hand in parting longer than conventionality
I warranted. At the back of his programme
he had scribbled Editha' address.
"Then l shall call next Sunday" he said
eyes. Sundays we are always at home :"
replied Editha. my mother, am sure
will be very pleased to see you"
That night she dreamed of Reginald
Blackmore, who haunted her through long
hours of sleep; the music, still ringing in her
ears, made a dim accompaniment to his
whispered conversation. All through the
week she thought of their meeting, count
ing the days to Sunday.
Il shall wear my new heliotrope Dress"
she told herself, and dwelt on the thought
of dainty fnery with feminine pleasure.
Saturday came at last, and seemed too
long day to be lived through for the city
was hot, and the end of the season doomed
near-already the ultra-fashionable were
speeding away to country residences.
81 must do something to pass the time
thought Editha, and glanced over the "at
home" cards on the mantel. This will suit
me, taking up a visiting card. Saturdays
-tennis-The Lodge, Pinewood. Yes; why
not run down there with my racquet and en-
| JOY game! Better, surely, than an aimless
drive in the park, or a stuffy city recep-
ton"
Her mind was still full of Reginald Black
more as she waited for train, sauntering
up and down at the railroad station. Oh
| to see into the future-to pierce the dark
veil ahead-to know what lay in store for
the unreluctantfeet only too eager to leave
the brook for the river.
As these perpelxing thoughts filled her
mind, Editha's eyes alighted suddenly upon
| a cardboard figure on an automatic ma
chine, behind glass. The figure wore the
dark face of gypsy-sly and cunning, with
crisp, black hair curling over sunburnt
neck. With one hand she pointed to a
circle of sentences-each supposed to bear
upon the future of the person reckless
enough to part with copper for such un-
certain information. The knowing eyes
of this swarthy "Sybir' seemed inviting
Editha to try her luck.
SIT is all nonsense" she said, and walked
away disdainfully.
Nevertheless, she felt in her pocket to see
IF she had any change, for at heart she was
deeply superstitious, and a burning desire
to test the gypsy took possession of her.
Then, glancng around to see that no pry-
ing eyes were near to ridicule the expert
ment, she stole softly up, her hand trem-
bling slightly. The cent fell into the slot
with metallic ring, the circle moved round
-faster-faster-the gradually slowed
The gypsy appeared to be laughing at the
joke, and at last stiffness reigned. Her fin
ger pointed to the words:
He will be true-happiness ahead"
A thrill of satisfaction nassad oyo,
Editha, she smiled involuntarily, her eyes
kindled with satisfaction.
Happiness ahead!" she told herself. with
a glad sigh, and her thoughts flew to the
morrow.
As she turned away train on the out
side track steamed northward AT the
window of smoking car sat Reginald
Blackmore. He, too, was smiling, but his
smile was supercilious.
''Well, of all the rot!' he said, s'She
must be silly girl to waste her time over a
fortune-telling machine. Didn't think saw
her. Perhaps she was consulting about
mel"
He laughed out loud.
Funny, how mistaken one may be in
people. l thought she was woman with
brains; she looked different from the 9th.
ers. Certainly she isn't so pretty by day.
light"
He blew a ring of smoke into the air
And | meant to come all the way back
tonight to call on her tomorrow. Repi.
nald, you are fool!''
That same evening, with the scent of
roses blowing through his open window, he
wrote to Editha.
Il am so sorry, but unavoidable absence
from the city prevents my calling to-mor-
row.-Pray excuse me. hope you were not
too tired after the dance"
Having addressed the letter. he tore up
the old programme, and flung the tiny pieces
in the CRATE.
II sha'n't want that again!'' he said, with
a short laugh. Its queer what a little
thing puts one off, but she really wasn't
worth bothering about"
He strolled out into the summer night.
well content.-N. Y Weekly.
The Bishop and the Maiden.
Stories are often assigned to bishops to