The Democratic advocate., 1908-11-06
The Crystal
Ball.
By Philip kedn.
Copyrighted, 1903, by Associated
Literary Press.


'sThe trouble with me-" Antoinette
announced, .is that I am too common
place"
CHAIRMAN laughed, "You funny lit
tie thingv'
'T haven't any individuality" An
toinette insisted 81 dance pretty well
and sing a little. have fairly good
complexion. 1 know how to do my
hair, but when other girls scintillate
I'm In the shadow. What need is to
be different"
"What you need is to be your own
dear SELF" Chairman stated. every.
body loves you"
Everybody DOESN'T - Antoinette con-
tradicted. "At least"- She stopped
suddenly.
"Well, Dickfe does" Chairman teased
"You know you are the only girl In the
world to Dickie Beveridge. and Dickie's
the salt of the earth"
ooh, Dickiev' Antoinette fared.
"Dickie's as insignificant as am. He
has nice little figure and nice little
way of saying things, but there isn't
anything great or grand about him.
.'Who wants to be great or grand p
Chairman questioned.
II do" Antoinette sat up among the
pink couch cushions. 81 want to be
distinctive, Chairman"
"In what way?" Charmian's eyes
were smiling as she lounged in the big
chair by the open fire, for the October
days were cool.
"Wen, like you, for example" An
toinette said-"your red-gold hair and
your gray eyes and your black lashes
and your way Of wearing things. Now,
what would l look like in that black
kimono you have on? With its gold fig
ures it gives you an atmosphere of
mystery-like seeress or something. "
Chairman laughed again. "Dear
girl" she said. cts much better to be
q woman than a seeress."
"That's all very well for you to say
Antoinette grumbled. "You have a
voice like a siren"
"Oh, Toinette," Chairman protested,
"a seeress and a siren! I'd so much
rather be just a woman and lovable
and precious like you"
Antoinette dimpled and then sighed
"But I'm not lovable to everybody"
CHAIRMAN reached over and took one
of the small, plump hands in hers.
"Now, who is that sigh for, baby?''
she demanded. "And who doesn't love
you"
"Otis Singleton" said Antoinette un-
expectedly.
Charmian's eyes returned to the fire
with an unfathomable expression.
$50 it is Otis Singleton?" she said
softly.
"Yes," Antoinette nodded. Il think
he is perfectly fine, Chairman. But
he doesn't pay particle Of attention
to me. And l am positively tongued
tied when try to talk to him. Do
you feel that Way?"
Charmian smiled inscrutably. mot
exactly" she murmured.
"Of course you don't" Antoinette
went On. You're not commonplace,
and l am Tot going to be any more.
I am going to create an atmosphere.
Otis is Interested in occult things, and
there's that crystal ball that father
brought from India
She rose, crossed to table and
brought back the translucent sphere
which gave out opal flashes as ii
caught the autumn sunlight.
Father says the queer men over
there used to gaze in it, Antoinette ex-
what would be-
"How stranger said CHAIRMAN. han
ding it curiously.
81 am going to fit up the den,'' An
toinette recited as she flung herself
once more among the cushions, with
dark, mysterious hangings. with a dado
Of peacock feathers, and bust OF Pal
las over the door, and black cat on
the hearth, and I'm going to dress my
self in a smoke col0red gown, with a
snake bracelet, and I'm going to put
the crystal ball In the middle of my
teakwood table and tell fortunes. And
after awhile everybody will say, How
interesting! and then l won't feel so
Insignificant. and perhaps Otis will
come, and-now, Chairman, what's the
matter:''
For the other girl was laughing un-
controllably.
"Oh, you funny child" she gasped.
ITS not Il laughing matter" An
toinette reproved her. She reached
over and took the crystal ball from
her friend and gazed into it. 1T shows
me great singer crowned with lau-
rels," she said.
CHAIRMAN snatched the ball from
her Don't" she cried; don't prophe-
sy fame for me! Tell NE Of future
of love and marriage and home. I've
been so lonely all my life"
The young girl laid her cheek
against that of her friend. But you
know love her, CHAIRMAN" she said.
"You precious childr' was the CRATE
full response, and after that there was
long silence.
Then Antoinette said. But I'm 60
ing to fix up the den, and I'm going to
invite Otis Singleton"
Better invite Dickie," Chairman
urged.
81 sIall never invite Dicl.ic again y
IL