Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-07-16
Continued.

manifold gigglings. gave it to the
gypsy.
The woman crossed the soft palm
with it.
Your fortune is easy to tell, miss"
she said. You'll marry the man OF
your choice and live happy"
Annie snatched her hand away with
q disappointed pout of the full lips.
81 don't think that's worth shill-
ing" she said. Its a swindle l
ought to have fallen in love with the
wrong man and died of consumption.
Now, Mary"
But Mary declined, positively.
well, you, then, squire" said
Annie, tugging at his arm.
my fortunes made or marred long
ago." he said, shaking his head as he
tossed half a crown to the woman.
well, then, it's Olivia's turn" said
Annie. Now Olivia, you must, you
must have your fortune told"
Olivia smiled and held out her hand
promptly.
Don't prophesy anything very
dreadful, please" she said.
The woman crossed her long, shape
ly hand and peered at it; then she
slowly let the hand drop.
els there any other gentleman or
lady would like their fortune told?"
she said.
ooh, but that isn't fair!" exclaimed
Annie Penstone. you must tell
this lady's, you know"
The woman glanced at her, then at
Olivia
Am I to tell it, miss?" she said.
Olivia smiled. "Of course" she
said. why nOt?"
The woman took her hand and
locked into her eyes, just as short
sighted person might have done; then
she glanced behind her at the spot
where the man stood in an attitude of
perfect repose and self-possession, his
dark eyes fixed upon BARLEY Brad
stone
Shall I tell This pretty lady her
fortune, Seth"
The man nodded, and the woman in
a low voice said:
There are lines of much sorrow,
miss, and much doubt. You will mate
with man you do not love, and love
a man you do not mate. But in
the end"
She stopped short, and dropping
Olivia's hand, bent over one of the
children
Olivia smiled her calm, sweet smile.
1T is your turn now," she said to
Berthe; but BERTHE, with affected hor-
Tor and awe, shook his head.
Your experience is enough for me-"
he said.
That will do" said BARLEY Brad
stone, and he flung a coin towards the
group. Clear off now"
The woman darted at the coin, but
as he closed over it she said:
Let me tell this gentleman his for
tunc."
"Oh, do, oh, come, Mr.. Bradstone!"
exclaimed the two Penstone girls in
chorus. In common fairness
"Oh, I'm quite ready" said BARLEY
BradstOne. but with anything but
alacrity; and leaning on his elbow ex-
tended his right hand reluctantly.
The left, if you please, gentleman
said the woman.
you are mighty particular ne
said, with an uneasy laugh, and he
shifted his position and gave her the
left hand.
As he did so the man took step
forward and whispered something in
the woman's ear.
Her face did not change from its
impassibility, but she bent lower over
BARLEY Bradstone' hand, and amidst
the almost solemn silence she said
in the dreamy voice she had adopted
in the former cases:
1T is a fair hand, a clever hand;
but there are lines that trouble the
poor gypsy. Lines of the past, and
the coming future. Beware of the
woman with the black eyes and the
cut lip"
BARLEY Bradstone changed color
and snatched his hand away.
THAT will do" he said. Don't
bother us with any more, but take
yourselves off. And look here:
don't allow gipsies to settle or squat,
OF whatever you call it, upon my
land"
The woman tied the coins she had
received in the corner Of her apron
with deliberate composure, then
dropping a curtsey, followed the man.
who had already struck into the thick
underground.
How delightful" exclaimed Annie
.Penstone. MIR. Bradstone, l believe
you had them brought here on pur.
pose. just to make your picnic COM
plete"
NO. I didn't" he said. abruptly. Il
hate them. They are the worst
thieves He stopped. Bring some
more wine" he called 10 the but