The Falls City tribune., 1906-12-28

WHY, then do YOU do it?"-with re-
newed interest.
Shall | tell your fortune?"
Not now. | had much rather you
would tell me the meaning of this
play"
| leaned toward her and whispered
mysteriously: The truth is, | belong
to a secret society, and | was cutting
the cards to see whether or not l
should blow up the postoflice tonight
or the police station. You mustn't
tell anybody
OH She started back from tho
table. You do not look it," she added
suddenly.
II know it, appearances are so de-
ceptive," said | sadly
Then the old man laughed and the
girl laughed and | laughed; and l
wasn't quite sure that the grave
waiter did not crack the ghost of n
smile--in relief
And what, may ask, was the fatal
card?" inquired the old man, folding
his paper,
The ace of spades; we always
choose that gloomy card in secret So
cieties. There is something deadly
and suggestive about It," | answered
morbdly
Indeed
Yes. All, IL only you knew thc ter
rible life we lead we who conspire!
Every day brings forth some CALLING
disappointment We push king off
into the dark, and another rises inn
medately in his place. Futility, futil-
ity everywhere' " only there were
some way of dynamiting habit and
custom! | am Russian; all my
family are perishing in Siberian
mines, s,'-dismally.
Fudge" said the girl
"Tommy-rot," said the amiable old
gentleman.
Uncle, his hair is too short for an
anarchist"
And his collar too immaculate
$50 the old gentleman was this charm
ing creatures uncleD
I'VE are obliged to disguise our
selves at times" l explained. The
police are always meddling. 1t is dis
couraging."
You have some purpose, humorous
or serious" said the girl shrewdly.
"A man does not bring a pack of
cards
Il didn't bring them; l sent oat for
them"
bring a pack of cards here simply
to attract attention" she continued
TRANQUILITY.
Perhaps l am prestidigitator in
popular dime museum ] suggested,
willing to help her out, and am doing
little advertising"
Now, that has plausible sound,
she admitted, folding her hands under
her chin 1T must be an interesting
life Presto-change! and all that
oh | find it rather monOtonous in
the winter; but in the summer it is
fine Then | wander about the sum
mer resorts and give exhibitions
You will pardon my niece inter
polated the old gentleman, coughing a
bit neryously. IF she annoys you
"Uncle!"-reproachfuly,
Heaven forfend!" / exclaimed Gag
erly. There is a charm in doing un
conventional things; and most people
do not realize it, and are stupid"
THANK you, sir" said the girl, smil-
ing. She was evidently enjoying her
self; so was l. for that matter. Do a
trick for me she commanded pres
emily.
| smiled weakly. I couldn't have
done a trick with the cards,-not if
my life had depended upon it. But |
rather neatly eXtricated myself from
the trap.
81 never do any tricks out of busi-
ness hours"
Uncle, give the gentleman ten
cents; | want to see him do a sleight-
of-hand trick
Her uncle, readily entering into the
spirit of the affair, dived into a pocket
and produced the piece of silver. 1t
looked as if | were caught.
There, this may make it worth
| your while" the girl said, showing the
coin in my direction.
But again managed to slide under;
l was not TO be caught
1T is my regret TO say,"-frowRing
| slightly. that regularity in my bust
ness is everything. 1t wants half an
| hour for my turn TO come on. If /
tried a trick out of turn, ! might
foozle and lose prestige. And besides,
! depend so much upon the professor
and his Introductory note: Ladies and
gents, permit me to introduce the
word-renowned Signor Fantoccini,
whose marvellous tricks have long pu2-
zled all the crowned heads of Eu-
rope
'FantocOini." musingly. That's
Italian for puppet show"
u know it, but the dime museum
visitors do not. 1t makes a fine i'm
| preston
She laughed and slid the dime back
| 10 her uncle.
Pm afraid you are an impostor,
] i.