The Springfield herald., 1912-06-07


contained the surprising news that
turned to New York, and would be
present The latter was an old chum
Of mine who had one day suddenly left
the country. From the day of his de-
parture he had not written a line to
anyone; not soul knew where he
had gone. and to all intents and pur
poses the man might as well have been
dead. There was, however, a story
which in some measure accounted for
Undertakes disappearance. In the
days of his early manhood he had fall
en- desperately in love with singu-
larly beautiful girl named Alma Ram
say. The latter had loved him in re-
turn, but there were no tidings of
an absolute engagement, and suddenly
] heard that Alma had married GER
tain General Colthurst. and that Lid
derdale had left the country. Colthurst
turned out a cruel husband, mean sus-
picious and Jealous. but fortunately for
his young wife. he did not survive the
union more than few years. Now
Mrs. Colthurst was a wealthy widow,
and Lidderdale had come home.
arrived in due time at Holdsworth's
residence, but failed to see Lidderdale
among the guests present. My host
approached.
Il am sorry to say that Lidderdale
will not be here. Halifax" he said
EARLY this morning | saw his card
lying on my hall table with the ad-
dress of the Hotel Metropole scribbled
in one corner. There was also
some writing on the back saying that
he would call later in the day. l was
unable to stay in. but left note in
viting him to dine here this evening
and telling him that Alma Colthurst
was to be one of the guests. When |
returned home. found that he had
not come back. and few moments
later | received a telegram stating that
he would call tomorrow. as he had
been prevented from doing SO today.
And now | suppose you will like to
see your old friend. Mrs. Colthurst-
she is present"
Does she know of Undertakes re-
turn?" l asked. curiously.
Yes, | told her. She was much
agitated; you know how attached she
was to him in the past. Well. she is
wealthy and free now. and | hope they
will make match of 1t. Alma was
greatly disappointed when l told her
Lidderdale would not be here after
all. | have arranged that you are to
take her down to dinner"
A few moments later found myself
seated beside Mrs. Colthurst, whom |
had not met since her widowhood i
noticed as | glanced at her, that her
beautiful face was thin to emaciation,
and she seemed to be laboring under a
severe nervous strain. / mentioned
Undertakes return home, and her
cheeks flushed as she spoke of his long
absence and her desire to see him
again. was about to say something
more, when lady who was seated |
across from US bent forward and
said:
Mrs. Colthurst. | have great news |
for you. Mrs. Holdsworth had in |
duced Haridas. the famous chiroman-
cist, TO come here after dinner-we
can all have our fortunes told."
"Haridas!" cried Mrs. Colthurst. |,
rs it possible? l have longed to go
to him, but have been afraid"
DO you really believe in chiro-
mancy?" l asked.
"Emphaticaly," was the reply. 81
intend to submit my palm for Haridas'
inspection, and whatever he tells me
shall believe"
Soon afterward, in response to a
summons from our host, we proceeded
to the drawing room, which was al
ready crowded. Presently Brahmin,
attired in rich Oriental costume, en-
tered. He was accompanied by a
handsome young woman of his own
ationality. Mrs. Holdsworth conduct
ed the pair TO little platform ar
ranged to receive them, and then in
troduced them to her guests.
The name of Haridas." she said,
sis OF course well known. He does
not speak English, so his assistant,
Mungela, will act as his interpreter"
Several of the guests took advan-
tage of the fortune teller's arrival,
and declared themselves astounded by
the knowledge he possessed of their
past lives. His prophesies of the fu-
ture also gave much satisfaction, and
presently Mrs. Colthurst touched my
arm.
1T is my turn now" she said. and
went up to the platform. | saw Hari-
das take her hand and examine the
palm closely. He glanced at his as
sistant, and it seemed to me that there
was CONSERVATION In his bronze fea-
lures. He talked rapidly in his music
al Hindustanti, and Mungela trans
lated the meaning of his words to Mrs.
Colthurst. When the young widow re-
turned to my side, her face was ashy
gray and she spoke in nervous &C
cents:
He told me all my past, and accu-
rately, too" she said. But he won't
say word about my future; believe
he knows something terrible. Go. DR..
Halifax, and ask him for the truth;
he will tell you, | am certain"
| walked over to the platform and
addressed Mungela.
The lady whose palm Haridas has
just read is rather alarmed" | said.
He spoke of her past, but said moth
ing regarding her future. Perhaps he
will tell me in confidence what he
thought well to hide from her"