Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1905-02-03


Elsie stared. But you're not going
to die, Lucilla; you're too young.
You're year younger than 1 am, and
people don't die at twenty-four unless
they're ill. And you're not miserable,
you've everything to make you happy.
It's other people you make miserable.
When are you going to marry my
brother Fred? Every one knows he's
deeply in love with you"
Perhaps some day, perhaps never"
said Lucilla, indifferently; but I'll go
to the theatre, Elsie, if it's only to see
Mr.. Glenroy, and in the hope that he'll
read us our fate. I confess / am in
tensely interested. Indeed, 1 long,
above all things, to know what the fu-
ture holds in store for me-"
Lucilla found herself seated with her
back to the stage, with Mr.. Glenroy at
her elbow. The play was a popular
melodrama, in four acts, and with
three long intervals.
Lucilla did not give much of her
attention to the play, so occupied was
she with her companion. He was
gray-haired man of middle age and
middle height.
His features were good and regular,
with a well-formed nose, and large,
rather full blue eyes. His face wore
an expression of great kindness and in
telligence, and he had a peculiarly
sympathetic voice and manner which
won the confidence at once.
He appeared deeply interested in Luz
ella, and talked freely to her between
the acts, and not the ordinary small
change of conversation either. Soon
they were discussing personalities.
you're not happy" he said, under
cover Of the orchestra; you must not
mind my saying So"
But what makes you say 500" asked
Lucilla, quickly.
II generally speak the truth to peo-
ple," he said, whimsically, IF l speak
at all; but sometimes they contradict
me-"
"You are right" she said, in low
voice. Il won't gainsay YOU"
"And il you are not careful you have
more unhappiness to come"
''Oh, don't, don't say that" she cried,
alarmed. "Tell me what is this
strange gift you have of reading peo-
pies future in their faces"
at is no gift" he responded, smiling,
merely the faculty of observation and
deduction very acutely developed. And
then, my theory is character makes
fate-is fate. Gauge thoroughly a per-
sons character, and you may predict
with more or less certainty her fate"
'And my character-my fate?" she
breathed.
1.-THE keynote of your character" he
said, promptly, sis pride. Pride
through and through, always pride,
and pride again. 1t has shipwrecked
your life already" In low voice he
added: "There is always the danger it
may do so again. Don't let it,"
1T is hard" she responded, 'that
ones temperament should predestine
one to disappointment"
Eyes, if you ask too much of life, :"
he said, quickly. "But don't you ad-
just the balance yourself? Can you. of
all people, say that DO one pays the
price of your suffering with theirs?'
A picture of Fred Southwood's face,
now with the love light on it, new
darkened by despair, rose up before
her. She dropped her eyes, unwilling
to return a truthful answer.
The curtain had gone up, and in the
slight confusion which ensued in the
boxes, consequent on the return of
many occupants to their places, she no.
ticed young man, whose appearance
seemed familiar, yet unfamiliar, make
his way to his seat.
'You young girls" went on Mr.. Glen
roy, in lighter tone, don't understand
what that kind of thing may mean to
man. Faint heart rever won fair
lady is all very we'll in its way; but
take a sensitive fellow, for instance.
Well, here is a case in point. 1 came
from the Carlton tonight, where / was
dining with a friend; oddly enough,
there he is, that young fellow just
settling into his seat. He made his
pile out in Australia a short time ago.
Before that he was in bad way about
some girl-one of those stiff-neeked
damsels, should say, who ought to be
queens in their own right-the role of
simple woman isn't good enough for
them; or, rather, it's away up beyond
their ken. Now this man I'm speaking
of, my friend, has a strange dislike for
red roses-can't bear the sight of them.
There were superb ones on our table
to-night-just like what you are wear
ing, Miss WoOdford-and he had them
all taken away; so l suppose there's
some memory of her bound up in them.
He's not one to wear his heart on his
sleeve, but little things like that be-
tray a man to his friends"
Lucilla was making an effort at self
control, tumultuous joy was Juggling
at her heart. She str0ve to make some
adequate reply to Mr.. Glenroy.
All through the rest of the evening
she surreptitiously watched the fair
head of the man she loved, the torment
of the last few years changed to trem-
ulous doubt and hope.
Did he see her, recognize her? Once
or twice she thought his eyes were on
her, earnestly gazing, but Sue had not
strength or courage to meet his glance.
The curtain was rung down at last,
and a feeling akin to despair began to
settle on Lucilla as reluctantly she
made preparations for departure, and
with the others left the box.
There was a long wait in the vesti.
bule till their carriage was called, and
Lucilla suddenly started at the sound
of well-loved voice and hand-clasp
that set her pulses beating. Vincent
Keith stood at her side.
In her nervousness and confusion
her hand went up to her throat. The
abrupt movement detached one of ths
crimson roses. at her breast. and it fell
| on to the ground at his feet.
Gravely he stopped to pick it up.
Her senses were all in whirl, and