Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-10-28
P'ALMISTRY.

G7 LONE James did it have
/A\ told him since that I owe him
00 a debt of gratitude which
never, never can repay. His reply,
that he would rather 1 owed him
something which I could repay, touch
ed me deeply, but had no other imme-
date result
l must give you his name in full:
James Arthur Brocklebank. Perhaps
some day will find me teaching my
children to lisp that dear name at
their mothers knee. This is what
they do in novels, though should not
think ''Brocklebank'' allows Of much
scope for lisping. Still, there it is.
1t was at fancy bazaar. Most of
us at the hall were helping in some
way. Our dear hostess was selling
what are those things that ladies buy
while her daughters had sweet and
scent and tobacco stalls, and so forth.
1 thought at first that l was the only
unemployed one until James strolled
up.
''Hello," he said; you're doing
nothing"
81 wanted to help" I exclaimed.
"My idea was to keep a tobacconist's
stall, and then one could smoke cigar
etes all the time The assistants in
shops always do that to advertise
their goods"
80! And I suppose assistants in
sweet shops eat sweets all the time:"
"Of course"
"Have you ever thought" said
James, reflectively, "what a tired time
the right-hand man Of butcher must
have -
"Look here" I said, "did you come
to talk rot like that to me?'
''No; want you to have your for
tune told. There's a palmist here"
"But I haven't fortune"
"You don't want one. Half a
crowns enough"
/ I went with him under protest. 1t
was a very dark tent into which we
, teller.
"Where is sheY' asked inpatient
ly.
"The other side of the curtain" said
James; but you mustn't go in. You
put your hand through there, and she
is ON the other side. OF course, if she
saw you, it would spoil everything"
"Who is it?''
"Never mind"
put my hand through. Some one
took it, and it seemed as though she
were going over the lines of my palm
with pencil.
'You are quick-tempered, slow
minded, thin n-skinned-'
"Fat-headed, go on!'' 1 said bitterly.
"Just you wait till I see you"
"I'm awfully sorry said the voice.
81 don't think I have the right hand.''
"Of course you haven't It's the
left"
Eyes, that's right. Oh, 1 see! 1 was
locking at it upside down. You are
modest, clever, athletic and Of an ar.
tistic temperament"
James laughed unkindly
did you laugh?" asked voice.
Certainly notv' I replied. II
wouldn't think of such a thing. But
you are only saying things 1 know al
ready. Won't you tell me my future?'
"You will be married within a
year."
1 gasped.
Ibid you gasp?" asked a voice.
"That was the impression intend
ed to convey. But are you sure?"
'Quite, quite sure. The line of the
heart says so.''
Heart lines, old chapr' said Jim,
nudging me.
"What did you sayT asked the
voice.
Nothing" answered. "What you
heard was a hitherto honored and re-
spected friend being kicked. But L
say, tell me. When shall 1 be en-
gaged?" |
Before the end of the week."
'Hi! Jim, quick!" shrieked. What's
the day now?
'The thirteenth" said Jim.
1 shot a glance of scorn and loath-
ing at him.
'Sorry, old man." he said, hurried |
ly. tits Saturday"
"Why-good Lord-then I shall get |
engaged to-night"'
"Why not?" asked Jim.
"Why not? o, you idiot! She's not |
even in the house. She's in London"
''Who is?''
"Who3why-O, nobody. You see |
what 1 mean. There's nobody in the |
house that"
'Tts no good" said James with q |
grin.
you've given yourself away"