Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-04-12
CHANGED HIS MIMI
nv wINTEREn aRAHAM.

Fditha was in love- TIE strange. new
feeling stale over her all unexpectedly, anS
her cart was no longer her own property.
Sic had danced three times vita Reginald
Blaekmore quite at the end Of very inter
esting ball.
Ediiha looked exceedingly pretty in even
ing dress; she Tit up we'll Her eyes
seemed bigger and brighter at night; heI
neck and shoulders were Der chief beauty.
Way did | not discover you sooner. h
asked.
Perhaps you didn 4 look, she answered
sauciiy.
I've been looking for you all my life
The words were spoken dreamIly during
the soft music OF waltz, and the hand hold
ing hers frightened She felt her pulsei
quicken, delicate flush rose 70 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.
'Blackmore-R Reginald Blaekmore, 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 viii be kind 10 me /;
pretty woman can make even ballroom
little Paradise, ii she chooses to be kind =
Editha did her best; she rose to the occa.
sion with great spirit. AT last she had met
a kindred soul, one in sympathy with her
own, and the soul fortunately dwelt in
fine, well-set figure and shone through pain
OF dangerously attractive eyes. After three
dances she was obliged to 60. He held hei
hand IL parting longer than eonyentionality
warranted. At the back of his programme
he had scrubbed Editha' address.
Then | shall call next Sunday" he said
Yes Sundays we are always at home, :.
replied Editha My mother, l am sure,
will be very pleased co see YOU"
That night she dreamed of Reginald
Blackmore, who haunted her through long
hours Of sleep; the music, still ringing in hei
ears, made 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 a 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.
II must do something to pass the time,
thought Editha, asd glanced over the Eat
home" cards on the mantel. This viii suit
me, taking up visiting card. Saturdays
-tennis-Ihe Lodge, Pinewood Yes; why
not run down there with my racquet and en-
joy gamer Better, surely, than an aimless
drive in the park, or stuffy city recep
ton"
Her mind was still full OF Reginald Black
more as she waited for a train, saunterinp
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 unreluctant feet, 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 a gypsy-sly and cunning, with
crisp, black hair curling over a sunburnt
neck. With one hand she pointed to j
circle OF sentences-each supposed TO bear
upon the future Of the person reckless
enough to part with copper for such UNI
certain information The knowing eyes
of this swarthy "Sybil,' seemed inviting
Editha to try her luck.
ut 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 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 a metallic ring, the cncle moved round
--iaster-faster- gradually slowed
The gypsy appeared to be laughing at the
joke, and at last Stiffness reigued. Her fin
ger pointed to the words;
''lle win be true-happiness ahead"
A thrill of satisfaction passed over
Editha, she smiled Involuntary, her eyes
kindled with satisfaction.
Happiness ahead" she told herself, with
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 a smoking car sat Reginald
BlaeSmore. He, too, was smiling, but bis
smile was superciious.
well, of all the rotl" he said "Shc
must be a silly girl TO waste her time over a
icrtune-telling machine Didn't think Jaw
her. Perhaps she was consulting about
mel"
He laughed out loud
Funny, how mistaken one may be IN
people / thought she was a woman with
brains she looked different from the 9TH
ers Certainly she isn't so pretty by Day
light"
He blew ring Of smoke into the air
And / meant to come all tie way back
tonight to call on her to morrow Regi-
nald, you are fooln'
That same evening with the scent of
roses blowing through his open window. he
wrote to Editha.
81 am so sorry. but unavoidable absence
from the city prevents my calling %
row. Pray excuse me. | hope you were not
tco tired after the dance"
Having addressed the letter, Ne tore ~
the old programme, and flung tie tiny pieces
in the CRATE.
II sha'n't want that againl" he said, with
short laugh. "It's queer what a little
thing puts one off but she really wasn't
worth bothering about"