Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-01-19
''s-s"s~s-s"s"s"s"s"sN
He Received
a Sign
1t Came With a Force That
Nearly Killed Him
BY ETHAN b. ARMOUR
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.
BY ETHAN b. ARMOUR
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.


Adoniram Doyle was a strong be-
lever IN indications. AS a child and
young man lie had never failed to see
the new moon over his right shoulder
without feeling sure that he would
meet with some misfortune during the
month. He would never start on O
journey on Friday or sit at table
at0lt which there were thirteen per-
sons These are but u few signs that
he regarded. but they serve to show
his character
When eighteen years Of age he had
engaged himself to a young lady sew
era years his senior. For an engage
ment ring he had given her one with
au opal setting. He was not aware at
the time that the opal invariably
brings bad luck The girl was equally
ignorant. she had not been engaged
month when she was taken I'll and died
1t was not remarkable that Adoni-
ram. who was naturally inclined to
make much of such matters, should
have been deeply impressed with the
fearful penalty he had paid for run.
ming counter TO the opal blight. When
he recovered from the shock Of his
fancees death he was not only disin-
cllned to enter again upon an engage
ment without duly considering all the
signs involved in the way Of warning,
but had reached condition where he
was looking for one to indicate that
the lady Of his choice was the right
woman for him to marry.
Before he had passed middle age he
had noted number OF indications
that such or such n person would
make him happy. but either the girl
who seemed to be pointed out was too
homely or had bad temper or some
other defect which led him to dlsre-
gard the sign. With mans natural
perverslty he formed purpose Of
marrying young woman who had us
much contempt for these petty super
stitions as la had respect. Miss Octa-
via Sparks had mind superior TO
that OF Mr.. Doyle, but she liked him.
Women are supposed to conflne their
love and admiration to men who are
above them In intellectual strength,
but this IL not IN invarlable rule. Mr..
Doyle was Il gentle, simple minded
man. free of guile and he appealed to
Miss Sparks stronger intellect, Per-
hnps II was a considerable muscular
strength he possessed OF which he was
hfstsnlf tnHnnGTiAnH that innnPaqGad
her weaker physical organization.
Re this as II may. the two were
drawn together and 1t only needed
some indication thut fate intended
their meeting to induce Mr.. Doyle to
propose. lie waited Il long while for
such an augury; but. none appearing,
he made up his mind to propose, any
way. He started out one crisp au-
tunnal evening. but no sooner had he
opened his door than there. up In the
southwest, was crescent. He paused.
His first glimpse OF the new moon was
over his left shoulder.
He went back into the house, took
of his hat and OvercOat and sat down
disappointed he was not sure that
the incident poriended a refusal on the
part Of MisS Sparks or that a mar
rage with her would result disastrous.
ly. Nevertheless he dare not, in the face
Of 10 marked warning, persist In his
intention of asking her to DO his wife.
But he continued his friendly rela-
lions with her and longed to settle
down with her in the bonds OF matri-
al.
with an old woman who was both
cook and hOusekecper, and there was
no reason why he should not bring
Miss Sparks into the house as his wife
Should he do so he felt confident that
she would make II very different
home for him, rendering what was
desolHte, cheerful But OF this he was
not certain, How did he know that
she might not turn out to BIO vlrago?
However. II constant companionship
gave him confidence In her, and the
following summer he came again TO a
resolution to propose marriage to her.
This time, in passing between his
house and hers, snake crossed the
road directly before him.
He stopped short and watched the
viper slowly dragging Itself along In
the dust to lose Itself in the long
grass and make 6nal momentary APP
pearance as II crawled under o fence.
lie stood for n few minutes thinking,
then turned reluctantly and went back
to his home. This second warning
was so pronounced that he resolved