Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-08-07

our fortunes.
"Yours?" asked Miss Bull, looking up
for the first time.
MADAME shook her head. II know
mine. Tell Mr.. Granger's."
II am at Miss Bulls service" said
the polite old gem leman, bowling.
Miss Bull SWEET I'VE cards into
heap. I'm quito ding" she said in
a voice almost .2easant for her. ANY
thing to obl.ge dear madame"
Mrs. Jersey smiled still more gra-
ciously and smiled away to send Mr..
IIarmer to the cards. But she wondered
inwardly why Miss Bull had given way
SO suddenly. There was some reason
for it, as Miss Bull never did any thing
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 ~.
l have some business TO attend To, so
request you will all retire ut that hour.
In the meantime Miss Bull has kindly
consented to tell your fq tunes
Madame then retired to her throne
and saw that the seBvants arranged
the tray properly. She had gigantic
chair, which was jokihgly called her
throne, and here she seceived stran-
gers in quite majestic way. Mrs.
Jersey was not bad looking. She had
fresh colored face. bright black eyes
and plenty of white hair like spun silk.
Her figure was stout. but she yet re-
tanned certain comeIlinesS which
showed that she must have been q
handsome woman in her youth. Her
manners We're motherly, Rut she show
ed stern face toward A1argery and
did not treat the girl go kindly as she
might have done. AS rule, she had
great self command, butt sometimes
gttve way to paroxysms OF passion
which were really terrifying. But Mar
gerry alone had been witness of these,
ana Mrs. Jersey passed for q dear. gem
tie old lady.
A moment later Train entered, aud
after him came tall young man. fair
haired and stalwart. He was hand
some, but seemed to be i'll at ease and
pulled his yellow mustache nervously
as Train led him to the throlae.
"This5 is ry friend said Leonard,
presenting him. HE just managed to
get here, for the fog is SO Thick
Here he was interrupted. Madame"
cried Mrs. Tame, what is the mat
ter? Mr.. Harmer, the water-wine-
quick"
There was need Of it. Mrs. Jersey
had fallen back on the throne with
white face and twitching lips. She
appeared as though about to faint. but,
restraining herself with powerful eff
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
a piece Of yellow holly he wore in his
coat. II am perfectly well,' said Mrs.
Jersey. "This is only ono Of my turns.
am glad to see you, Mr.
"Brendon," said the stranger, who
seemed astonished at this reception.
George Brendon,' interpelated
Train, who was alive with curiosity.
"Have you seen him before, madame"
Mrss jersey laughed artificial lily.
"Certainly not" she replied calmly,
"and yours Is not face l should for
get, Mr.. Brendon."
Sbs~uttered the name with certain
ar2, int of hesitation, as though she
was not sure it was the right one.
George nodded.
''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. II
there is anything to amuse you here"
She waved her hand eve are simple
people-fortune telling, a little music
and the company Of my guests. Mrs.
Tame, Mr.. Harmerv' She introduced
them, but every now and then her
eyes were on the yellow holly. Bren-
don remarked it.
: You are noticing my flower. Mrs.
Jersey" he said. ut is rather rare"
"Most extraordinary" replied Mrs.
Jersey coolly. II have seen holly with
red berries before, but this yellow
"There was great bush Of It in my
fathers garden" said Mr.. Harmer.
''but have not seen any for years
Perhaps you would like it, Mrs. Jer-
sey," said Brendon, taking it from his
coat.
She hastily waved her hand. "No,
no! am too old for flowers. Keep 1t,
Mr.. Brendon. 1t suits better with
your youth" she looked at his face
keenly. II have seen face like yours
before"
Brendon- laughed. II am Of COM
monplace type, fear" he said.
mo: not 80 very common. Fair hair
and dark eyes do not usually go to-
gether. Perhaps l have met your
father?'
.Perhaps," replied George phleg-
matically.
'sOr your mother?" persisted Mrs.
Jersey.
II dare say!" Then he turned the
conversation. "What delightful old
house you have here"
Mrs. Jersey bit her lip on finding her
inquiries thus bafled, but, taking her
cue, expanded on the subject Of the
house. y. was fashionable mansion
n, tho tjma nf the Georges" she said