The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-06-27

dealt mostly in romantic and glowing
generalities.
But of late the fates had not shown
madame the consideration due so faith
full follower. There had been fall
ing off in the number Of people who
came to explore the misty paths Of the
future under her expert guidance.
Four of the children were too young to
do much besides consume unlimited
supplies Of bread and butter, and the
day before Jimmy. the eldest, had been
brought home with broken leg. In
short, the outlook was serious.
Though it isn't always ye can ex-
pect to be havin' the luck" sighed
Nora, STOPPING to pick up the hand that
pointed a mutely protesting finger at
her from the corner.
Quite unconscious of the radiant pic
ture she made against her dull sur
rounding, a girl, tall, graceful, tailor
made, came swiftly along the shabby
street. If her courage almost failed
her, she made no sign us she walked
steadily on. All the girls had been to
Nine. Fontaine. Had she not told Mar
garet Doane that she would be married
within a year. and was not Margaret
even now on her wedding journey? To
be sure, she had told Louise Henderson
the same thing, and there was not even
an admirer in Louis horizon; but, then,
every one makes mistakes sometimes,
and Louise always was hopeless. She
did not really believe in it. Oh, dear,
pytf chn n fn
John really were very angry. He might
have known she did not care for that
stupid Captain Carstairs.
With flushed face and trembling but
determined fingers she pressed the but
ton under the card bearing the legend
mime. Fontalne" and soon stood quak-
ing inwardly but outwardly serene,
before the door of the modest little fiat.
Eleanor Robinson was called the
prettiest girl In the Westchester set,
and more critical eyes than madame's
would have frightened at the radiant
vision she made as she entered the lit
tie room and with shining eyes bent
eagerly forward over the well known
table upon which madame's expert
enced fingers had already placed the
queen Of diamonds.
That's yerself," explained the wo-
man as she deity shuffied the cards,
land this" laying a heart above 1t, sis
good luck to yerself an yer wish, an
here's an offer, an q foine offer it is.
with money too. 1t looks like mar
rage offer, an It's from But whom
1t was from must forever remain a
mystery, for a shriH voice from the
next room called madame, and in her
anxious haste Nora overturned the lit
tie table, and the fortunes of the queen
Of diamonds came to an ignominious
ending on the floor.
"I'm that worried don't know what
Pm doin'," said madame as she came
back, and, half crying, stopped to pick
up the cards. MY Jimmy has his leg
broke, an him gettin' along so nice an
Mr. Chetwood sayin' his wages should
be raised this Saturday comm"
"Mr ChetwoodP' interrupted the girl
in a strained voice. And madame's keen
eyes noted the warm wave Of color
that flooded her face.
Yes, MISS" she returned, "Mr Chef
wood, the lawyer 1t was foine place
for Jimmy, an him llkln' 1t an gettin'
into Mr. Chetwood's ways An now
his legs broke, an no KNOWN when
he'll git another place." she added de-
jectedly, and in spite of herself tear
splashed on the recovered queen.
The girl rose, II don't believe care
to have my fortune told today" she
said nervously. live changed my
mind, but | shall come to see you
again." she said, her blue eyes sweet
with sympathy. She took bill from
her bag and laid 1t on the table.
Take these, too for Jimmy" she
said, loosening the violets from her
| furs. And with a smile and quick lit
tie nod she was gone
1t was hours later that tall, broad
shouldered man knocked at madame's
door and inquired for Jimmy McCabe.
A few minutes later John Chetwood
was holding Jimmy's grimy little hand
and smiling down on the little freckled
face that grinned back at him sheep
ishly.
I'VE cannot do without Jimmy, Mrs.
| McCabe," he said pleasantly, $50 shall
| depend on you to send him back as
soon as possible" Tie took some bills
from his pocket and continued: 81 want
you to take good care of him. No! No!
That's all rightp' as she tried to thank
him. You may pay ii back when
| Jimmy wins his first ca se or you might
tell my fortune" He laughed good
hulnoredly, looking Quizzieally at the
weird hands decorating the little room
beyon
Madame gasped. Her warm Irish
heart was full Of gratitude to the two
who had been so good to her If only
she could do something for themI
He watched her with amused inter
est as she slowly spread out the cards
on the little table.
"Ye have success to yerself an yer
WISH" she began in the time worn
/ formula, IAN there's a light woman,
the queen of diamonds" she added, her
] eyes fastened on the cards
4 John Chetwood threw back his head
/ and laughed delightedly. 81 thought 1t
was always a dark woman" he said.
v
she's tall almost as yerself." Nora
went on, IAN it's like one of the saints
she Is, with her sweet face an eyes as
blue as-as the yielets," she continued
The quick start of surprise John Chef
wood gave did not escape madame's
shrewd eyes, and she went on rapidly:
"She loves ye-there's somethin' come
between ye-but she loves We. Never
mind what's been, say I-go to her;
she's waitin' for ye see the weddin'
card"
John Chetwood rose abruptly. That's
great fortune. Well have to look
into that, Mr. jimmy he said, but his
laughter was forced, and the lines on
his face deepened as he ran lightly
down the stairs.
He hesitated outside the shabby lit
tie fiat She lived to the north few
blocks to the west his friends were
waiting for him. He had tried to keep
away from her. 1t was evident she
cared for Carstalrs, and he would keep
his disappointment to himself and let
no knowledge of 1t shadow her. What
could thar wninan hna~ eh~..t 10