The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-17

would" Antoinette said one, morning,
despairingly, I'm too chubby. 1 hate
that word. Chairman, but 1t fits me.
And 1t fits Dickie Beverage. He pro-
posed again last night, and he looked
like a little fat cupid, oh. dear!" and
she smiled, ruefully.
Marry him" was Charmiars prompt
suggestion. land don't think any more
of Otis Singleton"
But Otis Is SO fine and splendid"
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, 1
came near making an awful mistake.
And, after all, 1 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?"
Antoinette nodded. 1--WE been a little
goose, Dickie," she said, briefly, as she
let him hold the tips Of her fingers.
land now I want to talk about Char
man."
Two heads being better than one,
Antoinette emerged from the interview
radiant.
your brains aren't chubby II your
body is" was the praise she bestowed
upon Dickie, land never should have
thought of that way Of bfinging them
together"
"He loves her desperately" Dickie
said, ''but he thinks she is welded to
her career. He told me once that he
wouldn't dare ask such woman to
share his moderate income"
And she is longing to share it-only,
of course, a woman has to wait until a
man asks her. Oh we'll" and An
toinette smiled on her chubby squire,
ecstatically, "oh, well, Dickie, we shall
see what we shall see!"
Two nights later. Otis Singleton,
coming into the transformed den with
an amused smile curving his lips, found
small plump seeress in smoke-colored
crepe, 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, ne said, as
he seated himself
Antoinette shook her head at him.
Its not fad" she said, this crystal
ball has told me some things lately
that have almost made me shiver. AMI
the role Of prophecies has been forced
upon me-"
Otis threw his head back and
laughed heartily. "Antoinette. you are
a glorious little fraud" he said, but
that ball is wonderful" and he reach
ed out his hand to take it.
But Antoinette's white hands waved
him back.
Let me read what 1t says" she
murmured. softly. "and you will think
it still more wonderful"
Otis Iounged in his big chair. .lazily.
Proceed he said. Then teasingly.
Have you told Dickie's fortune?"
Antoinette nodded, "Dickie is to
MI blonde the fnIIr-
teenth of December, and he is to live
happy ever after"
Otis sat UP and stared.
"By Jove, you don't mean that
you've really said yes at last" he
calculated.
recognize the small plump blonde"
she murmured.
Then for a time she was silent. gaz-
ing into the depths of the crystal ball
At last her voice came family. II see
woman in white"
''She is neither fair nor dark" went
on the voice. "Her hair is a crown
of red gold, and she is very tall. At
her feet is a wreath of laurel"
All the indifference had left Single
toms face. "Charmian," he breathed.
Now the crystal is clouded," the
voice went on, "but in the dimness 1
can still see the shadowy figure in
white. She tramples on the laurel
wreath, but her hand is on her heart.
She seems to say I want not fame, but
love-"
Otis's hand came down heavily over
the bail. You are making It up" he
accused.
The little lady's eyes met his stead
lily.
at am not making 1t up"
"You mean that 1t Is true?"
"As true as that Dickie and I are
going to be married, Otis.'
So seriously did she say 1t that Sin
gleton stood up with a quick laugh
of resolution. Where is she?" he de-
manded.
TN the library" said Antoinette.
But, oh, Otis, If she should ever
guess how I told your fortunel"
"She shan't guess" he said. "Tsll
tell her you saw money bags and
rich widow
And with that he was gone, while
the seeress in smoke color new down
the hall to hunt up her chubby cherub.
"And, oh, Diclkie," she said, as they
took refuge in the breakfast room, st
expect she's saying yes this very
minute"
"And all because of the crystal
ball." was Diokie comment as he
folded her in his fond embrace
((Copyrighted 1908 by Associated Lit
erary Press.)
A Record HONEYMOON.