The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-01-03

"Hello!" he cried shrilly, hts
little face aglow.
"Hello!" responded the gentle
man, readily.
John Tullis found himself be-
ing dragged away from the witch's
door toward the newcomer at the
bottom Of the glen. Mr.. Hobbs
listened with deepening awe tc
the friendly conversation which
resulted in Truxton King going
forward to join the party in front
of the hut. He came along in the
rear, after having tethered the
tired horses, not quite sure that
he was awake. The prince had
called him Mr.. Cook. had asked
him how his sons were, all OF
which was highly gratifying when
one pauses to consider that he had
got his cap band on upside down
in his excitement. He always was
to wonder how the little monarch
succeeded in reading the title
without standing on his head to
do so.
Truxton was duly presented to
the ladies and gentlemen of the
party by John Tullis, who grace
fully announced that he knew
Kings parents in New York
Baron Dangloss was quite an old
friend, if one were to judge by
the manner in which he greeted
the young man. The lady in
gray smiled so sweetly and nodded
so blithely, that Tullis, instead CT
presenting King to her as he had
done to the Countess MarlanS
and others, merely said:
"And you know one another
of course" Whereupon she
flushed very prettily and felt con-
strained to avoid Truxton's look
of inquiry. He did not lose his
wits, but vowed acquiescence and
assumed that he knew.
AS a result of the combined
supplications of the entire party
the old woman grudgingly con-
sented to take them into her
hovel, where, in exchange for
small pieces of silver she would
undertake certain manifestations
| in necromancy.
Truxton King, scarcely able to
believe his good fortune, crowded
into the loathsome, squalid room
with his aristocratic companions,
managing, with considerable skill,
to keep close beside his charming
friend. They stood back while
the others crowded up to the table
where the bag occupied herself
with the crystal ball.
Never had Truxton looked upon
a creature who so thoroughly vim
dicated the lifelong reliance he
had put in the description of
witches given by the fairy-tale
tellers of his earliest youth. She
had the traditional hook-nose and
peaked chin, the glittering eyes,
the thousand wrinkles and the
toothless gums. He looked about
for the raven and the cat, but If
she had them they were not in
evidence. At a rough guess, he
calculated her age at one hundred
years. A youth of extreme lazi-
ness, who Baron Dangloss said
was the old woman's grandson,
appeared to be her man-of-all-
work. He fetched the old wom-
ans crystal, placed stools for the
visitors, lighted the candles on
the table, occupying no less than a
quarter of an hour in performing
these simple acts, so awkward
that at least two of his observers
giggled openly and whispered
their opinions.
"Gruesome lady, isn't she?"
whispered King.
81 shall dream of her for
months" whispered the lady il
gray, shuddering.
Are you willing to have her
read your future in that ball?"
do you really think she can
tell?"
81 once had fortune-teller
say that I would be married be-
fore I was twenty-three," he in
formed her, She appeared inter-
ested.
"And were your"
mo. But she did her part,
you know-the fortune-teller,
mean"
"She warned you. I see. So
liz rao1i-- --c~p'+ ha- fourt - Che
was watching the preparations al
the taUie with eager eyes, her
lips parted and her breath COM
ing quick through excitement.
would you mind telling me
how I am to address your" whis-
pered King. They were leaning
against the mud-plastered wall
near the little window, side by
side. The whimsical smile that
everyone loved to see was on his
lips, in his eyes. you see, I'm
a stranger in strange land. That
accounts for my ignorance.
"You must not speak while she
lis gazing into the crystal" she
warned, after a quick, searching
glance at his face. He could
have sworn that he saw a CLEAN
of concern in her eyes, followed
by a twinkle that meant mischief
please consider my plight
he implored. 81 can't call you
Aunt Lorraine, you know"
She laughed silently and turned