Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-11-03
The Crystal
Ball.
0y Philip keon.
Copyrighted. 1908. BY Associated
Literary Press.

Copyrighted. 1908. BY Associated
Literary Press
ks-.s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s- s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s6
"The trouble with me-" Antoinettt
announced, ,"is that l am too common
place."
CHAIRMAN laughed, "You funny lit
tie thingw
T haven't any Individuality" An
tolnette insisted. II dance pretty vel
and sing little. have fairly good
complexion. 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, Dickie does" CHAIRMAN teased
"You know you are the only girl in the
world to Dickie Beveridge. and Dickies
the salt Of the EARTH"
"Oh, Dickiew Antoinette Jared
"Dickie's as insignificant as am. He
has a 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 grandT'
CHAIRMAN questioned.
IT 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, fer the October
days were cool.
"Well, 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 I look like in that black
kimono you have on? With its gold f.
ures 1t gives you an atmosphere OF
mystery-llke seeress or something"
CHAIRMAN laughed again. Dear
girl" she said. Its much better to be
q woman than seeress."
"That's all very well for you to say. :
Antoinette grumbled. you have II
voice like a siren"
ooh, Toinette," CHAIRMAN protested
"a seeress and siren! I'd so much
rather be just woman and loyablr
and precious like you"
Antoinette dimpled and then sighed
"But I'm not lovable to everybody"
CHAIRMAN reached over and took on
of the small. plump hands in hers
"Now, who Is that sigh for. baby:
she demanded. "And who doesn't love
you!"
"Otls Singleton" said Antoinette III
expectedly.
Charmian's eyes returned to the fire
with an unfathomable expression.
80 1t is Otis Singleton she saic
softly.
Eyes" Antoinette nodded. Il thin.
he is perfectly fine, CHAIRMAN. BIT:
to Inc. And ! am positively tongue.
tied when l try to talk to him. u"
you feel that way?"
CHAIRMAN smiled inscrutably. NO
exactly" she murmured.
"Of course you don't" Antoinet!'
went on. You're not commonplace.
and ] am not going to be any more
l am going TO create an atmosphere
Otis Is interested In occult things, anC
there's that crystal ball that father
brought from India"
She rose, crossed to table an
brought back the translucent sphere
which gave out opal flashes as II
caught the autumn sunlight.
Father says the queer men ovei
there used to gaze In It," Antoinette eX.
plalned, land tell what had been and
what would be-"
"How strange" said CHAIRMAN. han
ding 1t curiOusly.
II am going to tit up the den," An
toinette recited as she flung herself
once more among the cushions, with
dark, mysterious hanglngs, with dado
Of peacock feathers, and bust OF Pat
las over the door, and black cat on
the hearth, and I'm going to dress my
self I'm a smoke colored gown, with a
snake bracelet, and I'm going to pul
the crystal ball IN the middle OF my
teakwood table and tell fortunes. And
after awhile everybody will say, How
interesting!' and then 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.
ats not laughing NATTER An
toinette reproved her. She reached
over and took the crystal ball from
her friend and gazed into 1t. "It 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 me Of future
of love and marriage and home. I've
been so lonely all my life"
The young girl laid her cheek
against TINT Of her friend. But you
know love her, CHAIRMAN" she said.
"You precious child" 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 shall never invite Dickie again."
Antoinette stated. HE always asks
me to marry him."
"And are you sure you don't love
him-sureY The older girls gaze was
compelling.
"Well," Antoinette hesitated, II DO
like Dickie, CHAIRMAN, but when /
think what commonplace couple we
would make
"You would make dear couple"
CHAIRMAN stated. "and your laughter
and brightness are not for such men
as Otis Singlston."
"Why not"
"Ois needs a woman who has suf-
fered US he has suffered. He has had
q hard life and lonely one-a life like
mine, Antoinette." She caught herself
up quickly and glanced at her friend.
But Antoinette was absorbed in her
plans.
Anyhow, I'm going to invite him
and read his fortune in the crystal