Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-11-21

fered ns he has suffered. He has had q hardl!fe and lonely onc-a life like mine, Antoinette." She caught herself up quickly and glanced at her friend. But Antoinctte was absorbed in her plans. .1'Anyhow. I'm going to invite him and read his fortune in the crystal ball. Who knows but he will find his iate?' And she few up to her own room to dress I
 All the weef that followed Antoi. nette was busy transforming the den into an abode of black art. Charmian, watching somewhat wlstfully, made invaluable suggestions.
 siT shall never dt into 1t as you would" Antoflette said one morning despaIringly. "1'n too chubby. I hate that word, Chnrmian, but 1t fits me. And 1t fits Dickie Beveridge. He pro- posed again last night, and he looked like little fat Cupid, oh, dear" And she smiled ruefully
 Marry him." was Charmian's prompt. suggestion, ''and don't think any more of Otis Singleton"
 E"But Otis is so fine and splendid,"a Antoinette protested
 "Yes. he is fine and splendid" Char milan repeated. and something in her tone made Antoinette stare.
 "Oh, my goodness! she said to her self later as she fed the black cat on the hearth to get her accustomed to her new environment. Goodness, l came near making an awful mistake. And, after all. simply couldn't live without Dickie."
 So she sent for him that very after noon, and he came, beaming.
 Do you really mean what you said over the telephone" he demanded "that you'll marry me, Antoinette"
 Antoinettc nodded. I've been It, tie goose, Dickie," she said briefly as she let him hold the tips of her fin gers. .'and now I want to talk about Charmian."
 Two heads being better than one. .Antoinette emerged from the interview radiant.
 Your brains aren't chubby if your body is," was the praise she bestowed upon Dickie, "and never should have thought of that way of bringing them together
 He loves her desperately" Dickie said, "Dut he thinks she Is welded to her career He told me once that he wouldn't dare ask such q woman to share his moderate income"
 And she is longing to share it, only, of course, woman has to wait until a man asks her Oh. welr'-and Antoi- hette smiled am her chubby squire ecstaticalIy- "oh. we'll aDickie. we shall see what we shall see"
 Two nights later Otis Singleton. con- ing into the transformed den. with an amused smile curving his lips, found a small, plump seeress in smoke colored crape, with jade ornaments at her neck and on her wrists, presiding over the crystal ball. which was mounted on a silver dragon.
 50 this is the new fad" he said as he seated himself. ,.ss,. s.s,3s,g t,, 1 Antoinette shook her head at him. ! .It'stnotdh fad,s.s she said ..iThis' ,crys' l tai ball has told me some things lately |. that have almost made me shiver. and the role of prophecies has been forced upon me-
 r Otis threw his head back and laugh ed heartily. "Antoinette, you are glo- rious little fraud" he said. but that { ball is wonderful" And he reached out his hand to take 1t. 1 But Antoinette's white hands waved him back.
 ! Let me read what it says" she 1 murlnuHed softly. '"'and you will think l it stin .rfiore wonderful" 4.# Ss1 l Offs Iounged in his big chair lazily. l "Proceed,'' he said. thens teasingly Have you told Dickie's fortune?'
 Antoinette nodded. "Dickie is to marry plump blond on the 14th of
 December, and he is to live happy ever after"
 Otis sat up and stared.
 By love, you don't mean that you've really said Yes at last?" he gasped Antoinefte. smiled II see that you recognize the small, plump blond.' she
 murmured. .t Then for q time she was silent. gag. 1 ing into the depths of the crystal ball At last her,voice came faintly. T see i woman ill white"-
 "Blond or brunette?' skeptically.
 "She is neither fair nor dark" went on the voice. Her hair is a crown of
 rcd gold. and she is very tall. At hei i feet is wreath of laurel.' All the indifference had left Single l tons face "Charmian. he breathed.
 Now the crystal is clouded." the l voice went on but in the dimness can still sec the shadowy figure ir 1 white. She tramples on the laure
 wreath, but her hand is on her heart She seems to say, want not fame
 but love-"
 Otis hand came down heavily ovel 1 the ball. .You are making 1t up," he l accused.
 1 The little lady's eyes met his steadily
 T am not making it up" You mean that it is true?" As true as that Dickie and art going to be married. Otis
 So seriously cid she say it that Sin gleton stood up with Il quick laugh oi