Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-12-05

"Just as soon as tell the fortunes.
OF course l wouldn't go to all this
trouble for nothing. Now look. This
card is Fran-the queen of hearts
This one is Simon Jefferson-and this
one is Bob And you-but it's no use
telling all of them. Now; we want to
see who's going to marry"
Abbott spoke in his most authori-
tative tone: Fran! Get up and come
with me before somebody sees you
here. This is not only ridiculous. it's
wrong and dreadfully imprudent."
Fran looked up with flashing eyes.
II 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
Abbott, l just had to say 1t in that
voice. SO you'd know l meant it. Cont
be cross with me-"
She shufiied 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 a professor, and not know
that 1t has to be in the middle OF Q
new bridge, at midnight, over running
water, in the moonlight. Now you keep
still and be nice; ! want to see who's
going to get married. Here is Grace
Noir, and here is Fran
And where am II" asked Abbott.
in an awed voice, as he bent down.
Fran wouldn't tell him.
He bent over. "Oh. see. see!" he
cried. This is me" he drew a card
from the pack-'the king of hearts"
He held it triumphantiy. well. And
/ you are the queen of hearts, you said"
Maybe 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.
I'VE can draw and see," he suggest
ed, 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 cheeks.
THAT doesn't always follow" Fran
told him hastily: mot by any means.
For here are other queens. See the
queen of spades7 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"
"Oh, 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
.,tI,
mean that? Remember you're on a
new bridge over running water"
Abbott paused uneasily. She looked
less like a child than he had ever seen
her Her body was very slight-but
her face was 1t is marvellous
how much of woman's seriousness
was to be found in this girl. He rose
with the consciousness that for a mo-
ment he had rather forgotten himself.
He reminded her gravely-"We are
talking about cards-just cards"
NO" said Fran. not stirring. I'VE
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 shorn lamb. He temper
lied: why don't you go on with
your fortune-telling, little girl?"
| 81 Just wanted to find out II Grace
Noir is going to get you." she said
candidly; "it doesn't matter what be-
comes of her. Were you ever on this
bridge before?"
Fran, Miss Grace is one of the best
friends have. and-and everybody ad-
mires her The fact that you don't like
her, shows that you are not all you
ought to be-"
Fran's dropping head hid her face
Was she contrite. 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. so that's over
Were you ever on this bridge before?"
Abbott was offended NO"
Good. good" with vivacious enthu-
siasm. Both of US must cross II at
the same time and make a wish. Help
me up-quick."
She reached up both hands. and Alb
bctt lifted her to her feet
whenever you cross new bridge"
! she explained. 'yop must make wish.