Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1913-11-14

| her bosom, hastily seated herset upon
the boards, and, oblivious of surround
ings, bent over the package as it 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 l. Fran - the
Devil" She seemed to be calling the
roll of her acquaintances. Was she
I 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.
Franz" Abbott exclaimed. Here al
alone at midnight-all alone! Is il
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 l 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 it's no use
telling all of them. Now; we want tC
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. its
wrong and dreadfully imprudent.'
Fran looked up with flashing eyes
81 WON'T" she cried. mot till I've
told the fortunes. I'm not the girl tC
go away until she's done what she
came to do" Then she added mildly
Abbott, l just had to say it in thai
voice, so you'd know l meant it. DOM
be cross with me-"
She shuffled the cards.
But why must you stay out here t.
do it," he groaned.
Because this is a new bridge. II
hate to be a professor, and not know
that 1t has to be in the middle OF &
new bridge, at midnight, over running
water, in the moonlight. Now you keel
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, l see, / see!" h
cried. This is me-" he drew a care
from the pack-"the king of hearts.
He held it triumphantly. We'll. Ant
you are the queen of hearts, you said.
Maybe / am" said Fran, rattle
breathlessly, "but whose hearts are WI
king and queen Of? That's what
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 tn,
king, 1t must be each others hearts
He stopped abruptly at sight of he
crimsoned cheeks.
THAT doesn't always follow" FraI
told him hastily; mot by any means
For here are other queens. See tn,
queen Of spades? Maybe you'll ge
her. Maybe you want her. You see
she either goes to you, or to the 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"
"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 a silver moon. do yov
mean that? Remember you're on
new bridge over running water"
Abbott paused uneasily. She looket
less like a child than he had ever seel
her. Her body was very slight-bu
her face was 1t is marvslou
how much of a woman's seriousness
was to be found in this girl He ros'