The Lamar register., 1912-01-03

n ana pestle nad no significance for
him
Then. when they placed chestnurs
n the hearth In pairs. each one Sc
'ety naming his nuts. the one thar
nrr certain magic name that FL
sic dared not whisper aloud. inso.
emily hoped away and Joined fat
title chestnut that belonged to her
neighbor. Jack Monroe-and as lack
was desperately in love with plump
and fair little Susie Agnew there Wa.
small doubt that his chestnut wa
named for Susie. II Fate decreer
that Elsie's hero and Susie were to
be mated-Elsie's smile quite faded
away for all the signs were against
ner!
OF course they tried the mirror
charm. some of the girls taking hand
mirrors and walking around the
house backward were rewarded by
seeing divers faces reflected In the
glass 1t was . moonlight night and
he shrubbery cast lacy black shad
ows across the path that encircled
the house Outdoors there was much
~ ghter and merriment.
est she dared not try and so while
the others played hide-snd-seek in
the crisp cool air after the midnigh
hour had passed. Elsie sought the NJ
cove in the conservative where she
had promised to meet Arthur Beck
man and give him his answer
He arrived almost as soon M sr~
did He sat down beside her and
;ook one cold little hand in his own
Now. Elsisf- he asked softly
oh. Arthur she trembled II
can't"
'Well-nevsr mind-dont crv
about IT," he sa41 practically. for her
voice was near to tears His own
of the moment Don't let It worry
you one instant. dear You ueedn'i
tell me why-I suppose It's another
chap-would yos like to Join the
@host dance. The orchestra is tunirs
up" He tried to speak lightly but al
the spirit had gone out Of his voice
Elsie shook Asr head You dom
understand" she whispered. turning
her head half toward him 30 that the
soft fragrant masses Of her hair
brushed his cheek. The signs were
all against III"
He hardr brsashsd. 80 fearful WI,
he Of losing this bhssfui moment. bHl
her remark was puxxling
The signsf Oh. you mean those
charms and all that clap-trap bust
ness of apple parinss and melted lead
and SO FORTH" - demanded.
"Yes-you Sc I wanted to walt and
nnd out what Fats really had in store
for me thought II the signs were
propitious for my-my being happy
with you I believed that together
with" She hssitated and turned
away her heaA-
Together VIII your love for me.
he prompted softly and he was Wild
ly happy when she did not deny II
Would insure our happiness. she
completed.
Fol de roll" calculated the Knav-
of Hearts. taking Old Mother Hub
bard in his arms 90 suddenly thai
the homeless dog bounced to the Moor
and rolled away. Fol de roi. DARLING
I'll risk all the bad luck in the world
in marrying you n you'll have me-
Com pared with the fact that ! love
you and you ~ you love newly.
the charm business doesn't cut any
figure at ALI"
At that instant came Wilbert Ian
sing OF mortar and pestle fame: the
Fates had decrssd that he was to be
Elsie's future spouse and he was
eager to fnd her and press his suit
once more. He was rather supersti-
tious himself and the signs were au-
spicious for him.
Through the shielding palms he
caught one glimpse Of the Knave OF
Hearts and Old Mother Hubbard and
he lost his belief In signs at once.
As he turned away he saw the fat.
stuffed. woolly dog Of Mother Hub
bard lying at his feet
With a well directed kick he sent
the poor beast flying across the floor.
whence It bounded into the fountain
and bobbed serenely around among
the startled goldfish.
Nothing In eharms," muttered
wnbert Lansing - he stalked gloom
lily home.