The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1913-06-27

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Just as soon as I 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 sees you
here. This is not only ridiculous. it's
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 to
20 away until she's done what she
came to do" Then she added mildly.
abbott, I just had to say it in that
voice, SO you'd know I meant it. Don't
be cross with me-"
| She shutfled 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 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, see, see!" he
cried. 'This is me-" he drew a card
from the pack-"the king of hearts"
He held it triumphantly. well And
you are the queen of hearts, you said"
Maybe l am" said Fran, rather
breatnlessly, "but whose hearts are we
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 the
king, it 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 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 NEST fascinat-
ing picture he had ever beheld at mid
night under a silver moon. EDO 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 woman's seriousness
was to be found in this girl He rose
with the consciousness that for mo-
ment 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
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. "Myt 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 OH with
your fortune-telling, little girl?"
II 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 adj
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 hooking?
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?a
Abbott was offended NO"
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
bott lifted her to her feet.
Whenever you cross a new bridge. "
! she explained, you must make wish.