Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-13
wrong and dreadfully imprudent."


IL WON'T" she cried. "Not till I've told
the fortunes. I'm not the girl to go
away until she's done what she came
to do" Then she added mildly, "Ab-
bolt, just had to say it in that voice,
so you'd know meant it. Don't be
cross with me-"
She shuffled the cards.
"But why must you stay out here
to do it?' he groaned.
Because this is a new bridge. I'd
hate to be professor, and not know
that it has to be in the middle Of new
bridge, at midnight, over running water
in the moonlight. Now you keep still
and be nice; l want to see who's going
to get married. Here Is Grace Noir,
and here Is Fran
and where am asked Abbott.
in an awed voice. as he bent down.
Fran wouldn't tell him.
He bent lower. ooh, see, see!"
he cried. "This is me-" he drew a
card from the pack-"the King Of
Hearts," He held 1t up triumphantly.
"Well. And you are the Queen Of
Hearts, you said"
maybe I am" said Fran, rather
breathlessly, "but whose hearts are we
king and queen Of? That's what I
want to find out" And she showed
her teeth at him.
1--WE can draw and see." he sug-
gested, sinking upon one knee. "And
yet, since you're the queen and I'm the
king, 1t must be each others hearts"
He stopped abruptly at sight Of her
crimsoned checks.
THAT doesn't always follow" Fran
told him hastily; mot by any means.
For here are other queens. See the
Queen of Spades? Maybe you'll get
her. Maybe you want her. You see,
she either goes to you, or to the next
card"
But don't want any Queen Of
Spades" Abbott declared. He drew
the next card, and exclaimed dramatic.
ally. Saved. saved! Here's Bob.
Give her to Bob Clinton"
ooh, Abbott" Fran exclaimed, look.
ing at him with starlike eyes and rose
like cheeks, making the most fascinat-
ing picture he had ever beheld at mid
night under silver moon. "Do you
mean that? Remember you're on new
bridge over running water"
Abbott paused uneasily. She looked
sc n her. Her body was very slight
but her face was It is mar
velous how much of woman's seri-
BUSINESS was to be found in this girl.
Sc seemed inclined to give her words
about the foolish cards and woman's
significance. He rose with the consci-
BUSINESS that for moment he had
rather forgotten himself.
He reminded her gravely-"We are
talking about cards-just cards."
mo" said Fran, not stirring, 1--WE
are talking about Grace Noir. You say
you don't want her; you've already
drawn yourself out That leaves her
to poor Bob-he'll have to take her,
unless the Joker gets the lady-the
Joker is named the Devil So
the game isn't interesting any more.
She threw down all the cards, and
looked up, beaming. my! but I'm
glad you came"
He was fascinated and could not
move, though as convinced as at the
beginning that they should not linger
thus. There might be fatal conse.
quences; but the charm Of the little
girl seemed to temper this chill knowl-
edge to the shom lamb. He temper
lied: "Why don't you 60 on with your
fortune-telling, little girl?''
81 just wanted to find out II Grace
Noir is going to get YOU" she said
candidly, ut doesn't matter what be-
comes of her-were you ever on this
bridge before?"
Fran, Miss Grace is one OF the best
friends I have, and-and everybody
admires her. The fact that you don't
ike her, shows that you are not all
you ought to be-"
What does the fact that she doesn't
like me show?"
ut shows that you ought to be
changed. 1t was fatal mistake when
you left school, but it's worse for you
"And she told you that, did she?"
81 want your higher nature to be de-
veloped. Take Miss Grace for your
model know you have noble I'M
pulses; grow up to be noble woman
try to be like her"
He was sorry to strike these neces.
sary blows, she seemed 80 pitifully de-
fenseless as he watched the motion
less figure at his feet. Fran's droop-
ing head hid her face. Was she con-
trite, or mocking?
Presently she looked up, her express
sion that of grave cheerfulness. "Now
you've said what you thought you had
to say" she remarked. $50 that's
over Were you ever on this bridge
before?'
Abbott was offended. mo"
Good, good" with vivacious enthu-
siasm. Both of us must cross it at
the same time and make wish. Help
me up-quick."
She reached up both hands, and Alb
bolt lifted her to her feet.
whenever you cross new BRIDGE
she explained, you must make wish.
It'll come true. Won't you do 1t, Abb
bott?"
"Of course. What a superstitious
little Nonpareil! Do you hold hands?"'-
Honest hands" She held out
both of hers. Come on then. What
are you going to wish, Abbott? But
no, you mustn't tell till we're across.
Oh. I'm just dying to know! Have
you made up your mind, yet?'
Yes, Fran" he answered indulgent-
ly, cts something always in my