Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-11-13

@~@ OOt
the boards, and, oblivious of surround
! ings, bent over the package as 1T rest
ed in her lap.
Abbott, without pause, hurried up.
His feet sounded on the bridge.
Fran was speaking aloud, and. on
that account, did not hear him, as he
came up behind her. Grace Noir,"
she was saying-"Abbott Ashton-Bob
Clinton - Hamilton Gregory = Mrs.
Gregory-Simon Jefferson-Mrs. JEFF
ferson-Miss Sapphire = Fran - the
Devil" She seemed to be calling the
roll of her acquaintances. Was she
reading a list from the package?
Abbott trod noisily on the fresh pine
floor.
Fran swiftly turned, and the moon
beams revealed a flush, yet she did not
attempt to rise. "Why didn't you an
swer when you heard your name
called?" she asked with a good deal of
composure.
FRAN" Abbott exclaimed. Here all
alone at midnight-all alone! Is 1t
possible?"
mo, it isn't possible" Fran returned
satirically, "for | have company"
Abbott warmly urged her to hasten
back home; at the same time he drew
nearer and discovered that her lap was
covered with playing-cards.
But you mustn't stay here" he said
imperatively. Let us go at once"
"Just as soon as | tell the fortunes.
OF course l wouldn't go to all this
trouble for nothing. Now look. This
card is Frantic 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 see you
here. This is not only ridiculous. it's
wrong and dreadfully imprudent."
Fran looked up with flashing eyes.
Il WON'T" she cried. mot 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.
Abbott, l just had to say it in that
voice, SO you'd know l meant it. Don't
be cross with me-"
She shutied 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 it has to be in the middle of a
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. ooh, l see, | sect" he
cried. This is me" he drew a card
from the pack-"the king Of hearts
He held it triumphantly. We'll. 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
want to find out" And she showed
her teeth at him.
we can draw and see," he suggest
ed, sinking upon n knee. And yet
since you're the queen and I'm the
king, it must be each others hearts
He stopped abruptly at sight of hel
crimsoned cheeks.
"That doesn't always follow" Frar
told him hastily; mot by any means
For here are other queens. See the
queen Of spades? Maybe you'll ge
her. Maybe you want her. You see
she either goes to you. or to tee mex
card"
But l don't want any queen o
Spades" Abbott declared. He drew
the next card, and exclaimed dramatic
ally, Saved, saved! Here's Bob. Civ
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 a silver moon. do yol
mean that? Remember you're on
new bridge over running water"
, Abbott paused uneasily. She looke'
} less like a child than he had ever seel
her. Her body was very slight-bu
i, her face was 1t Is marvelou
how much of a woman's seriousness
/ was to be found in this girl. He ros