The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-10-07

TO see great deal Of her one friend.
Madame had an idea Of the reason for
this, but at the present moment did
not think it necessary to interfere. She
was quite capable of crushing Miss
Bull when the need arose. Meantime
she vented her temper by sending Mar
gerry away. The girl departed with a
scowl and an angry look at her aunt
but Miss Bull never raised her eyes,
though she was we'll aware of what
| was going OH. &
Madame was not to be beaten. "I
tell you what, dear Miss Bull" she
said, smiling graciously, "since you
| have broken through our rule and have
produced the cards, you shall tell all
our fortunes"
"Yours?" asked Miss Bull. looking up
for the first time.
Madame shook her head. ct know.
mine. Tell Mr.. Granger's." 8
II am at Miss Bulls service" said
the polite old gentleman, bowling. =
Miss Bull swept the cards into a.
heap. Pm quite willing" she said in
voice almost pleasant for her. "Any-
thing to oblige dear madame"
Mrs. Jersey smiled still more gra-
ciously and sailed away to send Mr..
Harmer to the cards. But she wondered
inwardly why Miss Bull had given way;
SO suddenly. There was some reason
for 1t, as Miss Bull never did anything
without reason. But Mrs. Jersey kept
her own counsel and still continued to
smile. She had quite made up her
mind how to act.
Ladies' and gentlemen" she said,
standing in the middle of the drawing
room, I'VE must dispense tonight at 10.
have some business to attend to, SO
request you will all retire at that hour.
In the meantime Miss Bull has kindly
consented to tell your fortunes"
Madame then retired to her throne
and saw that the servants arranged.
the tray properly. She had a gigantic
chair. which was jokingly called her
throne, and here she received stran-
gers In quite n majestic way. Mrs.
Jersey was not bad looking. She had q
fresh colored face, bright black eyes
and plenty Of white hair like spun silk.
Her figure was stout but she yet re-
tanned a certain comeliness which
showed that she must have been q
handsome woman In her youth. Her |
manners were motherly, but she show i
ed stern face toward Margery and
did not treat the girl SO kindly as she |
might have done. AS rule, she had |
great self command, but sometimes |
gave way to paroxysms of passion
and Mrs. Jersey passed for dear, gen
tie old lady.
A moment later Train entered, and |
after him came tall young man, fair
haired and stalwart. He was hand :
some, but seemed to be Ill ut ease and
pulled his yellow mustache nervously |
as Train led him to the throne.
This is my friend" said Leonard,
presenting him. "He just managed to
get here. for the fog is SO Thick
Here he was interrupted. Madame"
cried Mrs. Taine, "what is the mat
ter? Mr.. Harmer, the water-wine-
quick"
had fallen back on the throne with q
white face and twitching lips. She
appeared as though about to faint, but,
restraining herself with powerful ef
fort, she waved her hand to intimate
that she needed nothing. At the same
time her eyes were fastened not SO
much on the face of the stranger as on
piece Of yellow holly he wore in his
coat. ~ am perfectly WE'LL" said Mrs.
Jersey. "This is only one Of my turns.
I am glad to see you, Mr. 81
"Brendon," said the stranger, who
seemed astonished at this reception.
George Brendon," interpolated
Train, who was alive with curiosity.
"Have you seen him before. madameT
Mrs. Jersey laughed artifcially.
Certainly not" she replied calmly,
"and yours Is not face I should for
get, Mr.. Brendon."
She uttered the name with q certain
amount of hesitation, as though she
was not sure 1t was the right one.
George nodded. eatS
"My name is Brendon," hesaid, rather
unnecessarily, and Mrs. Jersey nodded
In her most gracious manner.
II bid you welcome, sir. ANY friend
Of Mr.. Trains is also my friend. IL
there Is anything to amuse you here?"
She waved her hand. "We are simple
people-fortune telling, a little music
and the company Of my guests. Mrs.
Taine, Mr.. Harmer" She introduced
them, but every now and then her
eyes were on the yellow holly. Brea-
don remarked it.
"You are noticing my flower. Mrs.
Jersey" he said. "It 10 rather rare"
Most extraordinary" replied Mrs.
Jersey coolly. "I have seen holly with
red berries before, but this yellow
There was a great bush of it in my
| fathers garden" said Mr.. Harmer,
"but have not seen any for years"
Perhaps you would like 1t, Mrs. Jer-
| sew" said Brendon. taking it from his