The Delta independent., 1910-10-28

Madam Ala had already seated ner-
self at the table and was shufiiing a
pack of cards. "Fffty-cent reading?'
she asked, as he took the chair oppo-
site her.
Orme nodded His thoughts were on
the window and the fire escape, and he
hardly heard her monotonous SEN
fences, though he obeyed mechanically
her instructions to cut and shuttle.
you are about to engage in new
business" she was saying. You will
be successful, but there will be some
trouble about a dark man. Look out
for him. He talks fair, but he means
mischief.-There is woman, too
This man will try to prejudice her
against you" And all the time Orme
was saying to himself, How can per-
suade her to let me use the fire es-
cape?"
Suddenly he was conscious that the
woman had ceased speaking and was
running the cards through her fingers
and looking at him searchingly. You
are not listening" she said, as he met
her gaze.
He smiled apologetically 81 know
was pTeOcCupleu.
81 can't help you if you don't listen"
Orme inferred that she took pride
in her work He sighed. and looked
grave. 81 am afraid" he said slowly.
that my case is too serious for the
cards"
She frightened. You'd ought to
have trance-reading-two dollars"
t,lr hi nf inc that
would help me, but I'm afraid the Stu
alton is too difficult"
Then why did you come?" Again
the look of suspicion.
81 came because you could help me,
but not by reading"
What do you mean?" Plainly she
was frightened. 81 don't put people
away. That's out of my line. Hon
est"
DO look as if wanted anything
crooked done?" Orme smiled.
Its hard to tell what folks want"
she muttered. You're a fy-cop, aren't
you?"
What makes you think that?"
THE way you been sizing things up.
You aren't going to do anything, are
you? l pay regular for my protection
every month-five dollars-and l work
hard to get it, too"
Orme hesitated He had known at
| the outset that he was of class diff
ferent from the ordinary run of her
| clients. The difference undoubtedly
had both puzzled and frightened her.
| He might disabuse her of the notion
that he had anything to do with the
police, but her misapprehension was
an advantage that he was loath to lose.
| Fearing him, she might grant any ia
vor.
| Now, listen to me-" he said at last.
II don't mean you any harm, but l
want you to answer few questions
She eyed him furtively.
DO you know the man in the fiat
below?" he demanded.
"Mr. Arima? No. He's Jap. see
him in the halls sometimes, but ! don't
jbor.'
Hes noisy, isn't he?"
"Only when he has pupils. But he
goes out to do most of his teaching. Is
he wanted?"
Not exactly. Now look here. be
lieve you're a well-meaning woman
Do you make a good thing out OF this
business?"
Fair" She smiled family. II ain,
been in Chicago long, and it takes time
to work up good trade. | got q
daughter to bring up She's with
friends. She don't know anything
about what | do for living"
We'll" said Orme, I'm going tc
give you FIVE dollars toward educating
your girl"
He took a bill from his pocketbool
and handed it to her She accepted
1t with deprecating glance and &
smile that was tinged with pathetic
couuetry. Then she looked at 1,
strangely. whats the writing?" she
asked.
Orme started. He had given her the
marked five-dollar bill. II didn't NEAR
to give you that one," he said. taking
It from her fingers.
She stared at him. is It fony?"
"No-but l want It. Here's an
other" As he took a fresh bill from
his pocketbook he discovered to hi,
surprise that the marked bill, together
with the few dollars in change he hat
received after his purchase In tn,
shop below, was all that he now hat
left in his pocket. He remembered
that he had intended to draw on hi
funds that morning. His departur,
from New York had been hurried. ant
he had come away with little read,
cash.
Madam ALA slipped the bill into he
bosom and waited. She knew wei
enough that her visitor had some de
} nand TO mska-