The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-11-07
Game of
Hearts and the
Rubber.

Leonora was the most fascinating
creature that ever breathed. Every
body admitted that. How she had ever
managed to get past the twenties with
out yielding to the numerous sieges
laid to her heart was n matter of com
mon wonder. Now that the momentous
eve Of her thirtieth birthday had ar
rived Leonora herself was wondering
about It,
She thought of the faithful Rob and
sighed She thought of the impulsive
lack and laughed outright She thought
of the imperious Roland and lifted her
L. ebrows. They were remarkably beau
ii,ul eyebrows. and the eyes that look
cd frankly into hers out of the mirror
were bewitchingly merry and brown.
For few moments Leonora brushed
her wavy hair vigorously. Then she
lwined 1t into long thick braid. said
good night and goodby to the twenty
ont the light and jumped into bed
Bother the whole bunch"' she mutter
ed sleepily. I'm never going to think
of them again"
But she did. AT least. go where she
would In her dreams, the persistent
Rob followed her. his wistful. admiring
eyes fastened upon her until 1t seemed
as If she could not stand 1t moment
longer. Then Jack would appear from
seemingly nowhere and without any
polite prelinIinaries or regard for the
curious people around them. would be-
gin to tell her how he loved her. how
he lived but for sight of her, how he
Suddenly exit Jack and enter Roland
the autocrat
IL don't like the looks of that man
who was with you Just now. my dear"
was his ultlmatum Il don't want you
to have anything more to do With him.
Come we will be married Immediately.
| won't stand any more tritiing" And
then-oh, then the rain began to pour
in torrents, and the wind blew a gale,
and she was all alone. and she lost her
rubber while crossing u muddy street
and-well. so 1t went on and on through
the night
In the morning the doctor was called
Leonora had a high fever and other
alarming symptoms.
Are you subject to attacks like
these?" asked the young physician in
his most professional manner.
Never remember having had a doc
tor before In my life," Leonora answer
ed. smiling feeby. Then, fash OF her
true mischievous self faring up for a
moment. she added But | think I'm
going to enjoy it. You're so amusing
ly young and serious. DR.. Terrence"
Perhaps 1t was just as well for Leo
nora that sharp pain In her side pre-
vented her from expressing her obser-
vations more freely.
When the pain had passed the doctor
resumed his cross questioning
do you recall any way you may
have taken cold?" He put the ques-
ton this time in an almost jocular
tone
That's better" commented Leonora.
THE pain? I'm glad"
mo; meant the-never mind. What
was 1t you asked?"
DR.. florence repeated the question
oh yes Why. lost my rubber
yesterday In the rain. Can you take
cold by wetting just one footY"
The physician refused to commit
himself Before Leonora could get a
chance to push her inquiry she found
her mouth effectively stopped by a
clinical thermometer.
That evening DR.. Terrence called
again He found his patient not quite
80 well and far less frisky.
ITS been such an endless day" she
told him. the dreariest | ever knew
in my fife. and it's my birthday"
1T doesn't look dreary with all these
beautiful flowers nodding their con
gratulations.
Congratulations? Leonora groaned.
"Dr Terrence, I'm thirty years old"
The doctor gave vent to a hearty
laugh.
You look about sixteen" he answer
ed CALAMITY.
Leonora flushed family at the com
pliment, lifted one of her long braids
that lay over her shoulder and dropped
1t again YEARLY
ITS an awful tragedy" she in
formed him. You can't appreciate
It,"
81 thought did three years ago" he
answered. smiling at her gently. but
I've found out since | was mistaken
Why. you're just beginning to live
my dear"
The last two words he felt at liberty
to add by virtue of his three years
seniority plus his professional priv
ileges.
Perhaps So" sighed Leonora. "only
! feel more as II | were going to die"
Indeed. for the next few days II
looked as though her pathetic prophecy