The Washington herald., 1913-03-30

tHSIS. SHe ureW a package from ner
bosom, hastily seated herself upon the
boards, and. obliviouS Of surroundings,
bent over the package as it rested in
her lap
Was she reading some love-sick ro-
nance by moonlight, or-or possibly a
letter! 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-Aliss Sapphira - Fran - the
Devil" She seemed to be calling
the roll of her acquaintance. Was
she reading list from the package
Abbott trod noisily on the fresh pine
floor.
Fran swiftly turned. and the moon
beams revealed flush, yet she did
not attempt to rise. Why didn't you
answer. 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 it
possible?'
No, 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. His
advice to her was all it should have
been; the most careful father could
have found no fault with his helpful
words-all the same, he didn't under
stand about those cards.
Fran. looking down, listened with
profound respectfulness. and when he
had finished. she said, 1T is so nice
of YOU to care about me and worry
over what people will think, so III go
home with you just as soon as ! tell
the fortune of the cards II won't take
but minute. and I'm awfully glad you
came, for il was pretty Scary here
alone. tell you! The moon kept
making big eyes at me. and the brook
sounded like a death-call down there
in the dark
But you mustn't stay here he said
imperativcly. Let us go at once"
Just as soon as | tell the fortunes.
OF course. 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 its no use
telling all of them. Now; we want to
see who's going to marry
Abbott spoke in his most authorita-
tive tone:
Fran! Get up and come with me
before somebody sees you here This
is not only ridiculous. its wrong and
dreadfully imprudent'
Fran looked up with flashing eyes.
Il won't" she cried. Not till I've
told the fortunes I'm not the girl TO
60 away until she's done what she
came to do" Then she added mildly.
Abbott. Just had to say it in that
voice. so you'd know | meant it. Don't
be cross with me.
She shuffied the cards.
But why must you stay out here
TO do it, he groaned.
Because this is new bridge. Id
hate to be a professor. and not know
new bridge, at midnight. over running
water. in the moonlight. Now YOU keep
stiu and be nice; want to see who's
going to get married. Here is Grace
Noir, and here is Fran ="
And where am L." asked Abbott,
in an awed voice. as he bent down.
Fran wouldn't tell him.
He bent lower. oh. | see, seep
he cried. This is me-" he drew a
card from the pack-'the King of
Hearts. He held it up triumphantly.
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 7
want to find out And she showed
her teeth at him.
We can draw and see he suggest
ed. sinking upon one knee. And yet,
since you're the queen and I'm the
king, it must be each others tearts-"
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 dramat-
ically, 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
night under silver moon. DO you |
mean that? Remember you're on a /
new bridge over running water.
Abbott paused uneaSily. She looked |
less like child than he had ever seen
her. Her body was very Slight-but |
her face was - 1t is marvellous how !
much of a womans seriousness was to
be found in this girl She seemed in
clined to give her words about the ,
foolish cards a woman's significance.
He rose with the consciousness that for
A moment he had. rather forgotten
himself
He reminded her gravely-"We are
talking about cards-Just cards
No" said Fran. not stirring, we
are talking about Grace Noir. You
say you don't want her: you've already /
irawn yourself out. That leaves her
10 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
rou came. ,
He was fascinated and could not /