Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-03-16
THE FORTUNE TELLER.


Mercy" cried Sara Elder. 81 can't
tell fortunes"
That's precisely why want YOU
Il gypsy camp at our fair every year
and they've always been the same
old palmistry and card reading. Pve
got an idea for something different
l and want you TO carry it out for
me-"
"lf you think can" she agreed
|. uncertainty.
"You can" she encouraged. Come
over to my house tonight and I'll
tell you what want. Now, about
that grab-bag-" and Mrs. Bruno had
passed on TO the next item of the
guild fair.
Everyone agreed that Mrs. Bruno's
idea was a delightful, variant TO the
more familiar gypsy camp
| From somewhere Mrs. Bruno had
nnearthed what showmen call a
front" canvas sheet, on which was
painted gaudy semblance OF an
| Egyptian temple, on the pillars Of
which was painted Consult the Del
phic Oracle. Three questions answer
cd for ST."
Behind the front had been built
| II black-draped room. Black tapers
burned at four corners of an old al
ter and behind sat the mystic. drap.
iod in flowing robes and with am
| Egyptian head dress. A doortender
relieved her of financial worries. and
the curious lined past and demanded
answers to their questions.
Mrs. Bruno had made a wise selec-
tion In her oracle. but quick-witted
Sara was hard put to it before the
first evening was half over to an
swer the absurd questions that some
of the boys puzzled their brains to
invent.
One enthusiastic youth spent $40
in the temple the opening night. and
the oracle instead of being hack
neyed feature was the sensation Of
the affair and brought in more money
Than ever gypsy camp could be OK.
pected to do.
as to the identity of the Whitehead
Driestes, but it leaked out. rs all such
matters will, and Sara rather enjoy
ed the sensation she created.
Even Ben Sandford, who usually
spent 10 cents for admissio. and n
half dollar. asked for supper. visited
the oracle twice and came out chuck
ling at his failure to entrap her. ana
Mrs. Bruno lowered about the booth
like hen over her first brood.
The last night of the fair Bronson
Bruno presented himself before the
altar for the first time.
II am about to make great I'M
dertaking. o Sihyl," he began with
solemnity. II would know If success
awaits me?"
Success awaits those who deserve
success was the oracular answer.
But do deserve success?" he
asked eagerly
Those deserve success who are
persistent and Of good Intention"
came the answer in the cold, even
tones.
lis this evening suspicious for the
test?' he queried.
"All time is as one to the skillful."
well. then. he said with relief.
This is the first chance have had
to corner You. You know that | love
you. Will you marry me, Sara?"\
you have already asked your
three questions" said the oracle
Pass on tina. others may, in their
turn. drink at the fountain of wis
DOM"
With muttercd exclamation Bru-
no left the tent. For a moment Sara
rose as though to follow him out,
but she settled hack in her seat with
beating heart as Jack Loudon en-
tered.
Perhaps Bronson would take her
answer as a dismissal and her joke
would cost her her happiness Tears
stood in her eyes as she answered
Jacks queries as to what would hap
pen If the equator ran north and
south. II the north pole were Mt the
south pole and viceversa, and IL there
were any chance of his marrying a
princess
Jack emerged from the temple jubi-
liant. ~ pretty nearly got her that
time" he announced She stammered
over the first question. 1t took her
minute or so to think mp the an
,swer. She seemed all knocked out"
The others crowded about him to
learn his questions. Meanwhile Brn-
no slipped back into the temple
"rlas that little fool Loudon been
hothering you?" hedemanded
1.-THE worldly may not disturb those
who are of the elect" she replied.
"He asked about the equator"
Don't YOU think it's time to stop
this nonsense?" he asked you've
been coopad up here for three nights
now with never chance to enjoy
the fun"
|. THE pleasures of the worldly are
not for those who are the beloved
of Isis" she retorted.
But don't you want to see some
of the fnn?" he persisted.
"The greatest enjoyment is deriv-
ed from the knowledge of good Deeds"
cho dnn1oip,pd