Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-01-12
E QUEEN OF
 5 HEARTS No. ?
By IVA ETTA SULLIVAN
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 The Queen of Hearts at the mas. querade sat in the corner. The Jack of Hearts strolled by. He was uncom- fortable in his clothes but because his hostess desired 1t he wore the gaudy costume.
 "Why is the queen alone and no one to worship" he asked lounging over her chair.
 T have been waiting for the king to come" she said pathetically.
 T am sorry" said the man, but l saw the king sitting on the stairs with the Milkmaid of Paris"
 "The old stories say, that they are bewitching creatures and I fear the king will forget that the queen is here" She shrugged her shoulders petulantly.
 If the king was wise, he would not finger there," he said gallantly. She was sure now she recognized the voice.
 Perhaps" ventured the girl. "he has peeped under the mask and stays because she is queen in disguise"
 That could not be true; the real queen is here talking to the jack, who while not a king is always next the queen" he said with exaggerated ten derness.
 You are not sure," she mocked him, but what am only milkmaid disguised as queen.'
 ''Milkmaid or queen, you are very bewitching. If I could see your face, I would know. You are my queen l am sure, and if the king has gone away, the queen must, by all the rules of the game take the jack" He tried to push the mask back from under her face, but she held 1t tightly.
 You are not going by the rules of the game" she chided.
 Suppose then" said the man seri. ously, that we be partners for life and play the game out to the finish"
 T may be only milkmaid in dis guise," she reminded him.
 But If worship you as queen, then you will be queen. Let me see your face" he begged.
 She made motion as if to lift her mask, but only turned the corner back from her chin. He saw an alluring lit. tie dimple.
 'I am satisfied now," he told her. that you are not an imposture, but the real queen of my heart"
 But how do know that you are the real Jack of Hearts and that you stand next the queen? You may be only deuce.p
 T will show you my hand" he said gravely, spreading his broad palm for her inspection.
 Since I'm the queen, to satisfy my. self. that you are the real jack. must read what the lines say Of your past. I have even," she said demurely, told the fortune of my consort, the king"
 She studied the lines closely, but she studied more closely the ring he wore. You have had queen before. You loved her and swore eternal al. legiance."
 You are reading wrong," he cor. rected her, you are the only queen have"
 She did not stop for his interrup. tion. "She was tall and her hair was almost red, her eyes a greenish blue and you knew her year ago."
 He was somewhat uneasy. T did not know a girl with red hair, the girl I danced with had brown hair with yellow gleams and her eyes were deep hazel"
 The girl laughed. The man tried to imagine how the dimple looked under her mask. You did her a great in- justice.'s said the fortune teller se- verely.
 T did not wrong the girl" he insist. ed gravely.
 Perhaps" suggested the Queen of Hearts, q know more about that than you do. You have admitted that there was another queen"
 Yes" he returned gently, the lit all out of his voice. there was a queen. but after that night at the dance. could not worship her longer. But" he added with an attempt at lightness. you see I've found the real queea and she never leaves her throne"
 Your hand says" she was still hold. ing his hand in her own, that you were traitor to your soverign and could never trust you"
 You would not do as the other did" he said decidedly.
 You change your allegiance toe often for good subject. The lines say" she went on with his fortune. ''tha. you wronged her, but you are going to see her again soon and 20 back to be a loyal subject. Then. I suppose" there was a catch in her voice. you will forget that you prom ised to sit on the throne with me"
 T can not be her loyal subject again because she loved another man." said the Jack of Hearts mournfully.
 Did you know 1t to be true." oues- toned the girl eagerly.
 T saw her kiss the man the night of the dance and she could not deny it- His tone was bitter.
 -The lines say. you did not give her a chance to explain
 Why should IF said the man -r