Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1904-06-17


matrimony. and my present life of
freedom suits me-"
81 admire the mans impudence,"
said her companion, Mrs. Harrington.
HE has never seen you yet. has he?"
mo. Tell me exactly how it hap
pened."
Certainly! My husband invited his
cousin, Harry Vaughan, George Coats
and this irresistible Horace Cooke to
dine with him yesterday. After pre-
siding at dinner, 1, of course, left the
table after dessert; about an hour
afterward / was passing through the
hall. when I heard Mr.. Cooke say:
$50 this charming widow. Mrs. Day
ton. has vowed never to marry again.
l want a wife, and, from your descrip-
ton. think she would suit me. What
do YOU bet do not make her break her
yow?
"'Five hundred dollars said Harry.
"'Doner said Mr.. Cooke. When our
party starts for Europe in May the
charming widow will join the party
as Mrs Hugh Cooke"
81 went upstairs, but determined to
put you on your guard, for tonight, at
our house, you will meet him."
'Never fear for me. I'll have him at
my feet in a week." and again the sill
very laugh rang through the drawing
room.
Mrs. Harrington and Horace Cooke
were standing a few hours later in the
formers brilliantly lighted drawing
room There were beautiful women
and handsome men all round them;
but the star of the evening was not
there. 1t was a fancy party, and Mrs.
Harrington, a lovely little blonde. in
a piquant flower girls dress, made
quite a contrast to the tall brigand be-
side her, whose fine figure and dark,
handsome face suited well his dress.
MAY / tell your fortune?" said a
sweet, low voice beside the couple,
and they turned.
One quick glance passed between the
speaker and Mrs Harrington, and then
the hostess passed on to receive other
guests.
"Stay, lady, let me tell your for
tune" said the gypsy.
mo, tell my friends. Mr.. Cooke
l beg your pardon, Conrad-you will
listen, "and she moved away.
Mr.. Cookies eyes were riveted upon
his companion, and he mechanically
offered his hand for her perusal.
She was startlingly beautiful
figure. Her scarlet skirt short and
full, was embroidered in gold with
strong figures, and the tiny foot it left
exposed was cased in a scarlet boot,
embroidered in the same way. The
body of the dress was of white muslin,
made full, but cut so as to leave the
neck and arms bare A brilliant scarf
was bound from the right shoulder to
make a full bow at the left side. A
turban of white was on the hair, which
fell beneath it in rich black masses
almost to the wearer's feet. A grace
full figure, medium height, large black
eyes, a rich, clear complexion, with a
clear color, completed the picture.
"Your fortune" she added. as she
dreamily scanned the palm of his hand,
''to WOO where you can"
The walters whirled in between the
couple, and when Mr.. Cooke again
looked the gypsy was gone. 1t was a
long time before he saw her again:
but at last he found her. She was
standing alone near table, laZily turn
ing the leaves of book. 1t was in a
little sitting room leading from the
drawing room, and she was its sole oc-
cupant.
''Will you not finish telling my for
tune" said he, coming in.
She started.
"Ohr' she said. 81 dare not. My
spell was so violently broken I am
afraid to renew it."
afraid! read your face wrongly.
should have said the spirit shining
through your eyes scorned fear
$50, while studied your hand, you
specialized about my face?"
Gould any one let such face pass
him and not try to read it,"
A low, hooking curtesy was the an
swer to the compliment. They stood
an hour in the little room. and when
Horace at length offered his arm to
escort the lovely gypsy TO the drawing
room, he wished devoutly that the
hour could have been doubled or multi
piled indefinitely.
Mrs. Harrington" said Mr.. Cooke,
meeting the hostess in the room, when
is the irresistible Mrs. Dayton expected
to honor us:"
why" said Mrs. Harrington. "yon
have the irresistible Mrs. Dayton hang
ing on your arm. Has nobody intro
duced you yet? Let me do it. Mrs.
Dayton, this is Mr.. Cooke-Mr. Cooke
Mrs. Dayton. Now l hope you know
each. other"
Mrs. Dayton's eyes were fixed upon
the carpet, but there was world OF
mischief lurking in them. if her partner
could have seen it.
$50 1 have, it seems, the enviablt
reputation of being irresistible" she
said, at length.
"a reputation so well deserved as
scarcely to merit repetition" was the
reply.
A number Of other gentlemen wers
by this time collected around Mrs Day
ton. Her skill as fortune teller was
now again called into requisitiou and
many a hearty laugh rang through the
circle at the witty turns she gave Il
each ones cherished filtration. or, 4:
they thought, silent admiration.
MAY I see you homer asked Hor
ace. rs the rooms began to thin.
Sorry. but am already engaged"
MAY | call tomorrow
"Ah. lie intends to commence his
siege in good time.' thought the charm
Tag widow. rs she gave permission.
The next morning the beautiful an'
witty widow looked even more lovely
than or the prasious evening. She re
epivcsl lsei nsest with quiet. easy grace
and flicy chafted for some minutes OF