Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1909-08-19
The Crystal
Ball.
BY Philip K eon.
Copyrighted, 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.


tie thing"
'T haven't any individuality" An
toinette insisted. II dance pretty well
and sing little. | have fairly good
complexion | know how to do my
hair. but wen other girls scintillate
I'm In the shadow What l 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 pickie does" Chairman leased.
"You know you are the only girl in the
world to nickic Beveridge. and Dickie's
the salt of the earth"
ooh. Dickie"' Antoinette fared.
"Dickic's as Insignificant as am. He
has a nice little figure and nice little
way IF saying things. but there isn't
anything great or grand about him"
who wants to Ie great or grand"
Chairman questioned.
Il do" Antoinette sat up among the
pink couch cushions. 81 want TO be
distinctive CHAIRMAN"
'Tn what way?' Charman's eyes
we're smiling as she lounged in the big
chair by the open fire. for the October
days were cool.
We'll 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 look Ike In that black
kimono you have on? With its gold fig
ureS II gives you an atmosphere Of
mystery-like n scercss or something"
Chairman laughed again. Dear
girl" she said. its much better to be
woman than seeress."
That's all very well for you TO say"
Antoinette grumhled. "You have
voice like siren"
"Oh. Toiuettc." Chairman protested.
"a seercsS and n siren! I'd so much
rather be inst a woman and lovable
and precious like you"
Antolnc:t" Gimpled and then sighed
''But I'm Mt lovable To everybody
Charri"H reached over and took one
Of the sg'all. pIGmp hands in hers.
Now. ~" l., that sigh for. babyT
she dc;H#lGcd "And who doesn't love
YOU
"O;is S;.;,,e;,n." said Antoinette un-
expectcGly
Charlniaa's eyes returned to the fire
with an uEfathomable expression.
$50 1t IS Otis Singleton" she said
softly.
Yes" Antolnette nodded Il think
he is perfectly fine. CHAIRMAN. But
he doesn't pay Il particle Of attention
to me- And | am positively tongued
tied when | try to talk to him. Do
you feel that way"
Chairman smiled inscrutably. "Not
exactly" she murmured.
''Of course you don't" Antoiuette
went on, You're not commonplace,
and | am not going to he any more.
! am going to create an atmosphere.
Otis Is interested In occult things, and
there's that crystal ball that father
brought from India"
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-
planned, "and tell what had been and
what would be"
How strange! said Chairman, han
ding * curiously.
II am going to lit UP the deu," An
toinette recitcd 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 colored gown. with Il
snake bracelet and I'm going to put
the crystal ball In the middle of my
lockwood table and tell fortunes. And
after awhile everybody viii say, How
interesting" and then | won't feel so
insignificant, aud perhaps Otis will
come, and-uow, Chairman. what's the
matter"
For the other girl was laughing I'M
controllahy.
"Oh, you funny child" she gasped.
Its not a laughing matter" An
toinette reprovcd 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 bali 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 check
against that Of her friend. But you
know love her, Chairman" she said.
You precious child" was the crate
full response, ana after that there was
a long silence
Then Antuinette said "But I'm 20
ing to fix NJ the den, and I'm going to
invite Otis Singleton"
Better invite Dickie." Chairman
urged
II shall yer invite Dickie again"
Antolnette stated. "He always asks
me to marry him"
And are you sure you don't love