The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-11-07
But you mustn't stay here" he said

OF course ! wouldn't 90 10 all thio
trouble for nothing. Now look Ihls
card is Frantic queen OF hearts'
This one is Simon Jefferson-and TINS
one is Bob. And you-but it's no use
telling all of them. Now; we want 10
see who's going to marry"
Abbott spoke In his most authorf
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 10
20 away until she's done what she
came to do" Then she added mildly
abbott, I just had to say 1t In thal
voice, so you'd know meant 1t. Lon
be cross with me-
She shutfied the cards.
"But why must you stay out mere 10
do it?" he groaned.
Because this Is a new Drldge. IL
hate to be 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 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.
i He bent over. ooh, see, see!" ne
/ cried. This is me" he drew caro-
from the pack-"the king of hearts"
: He held it triumphantly. We'll, Anu
s YOU are the queen of hearts, you saio'
e Maybe am" said Fran, rather
: breathlessly, "but whose hearts are we
n king and queen Of? That's what
T. want to find out" And she showed
l. her teeth at him.
1t 1--WE can draw and see" he suggest
IS ed, sinking upon one knee. And YET
e since you're the queen and I'm th'
e. king. 1t must be each others hearts
!? He stopped abruptly at sight OF ne
Id crimsoned cheeks.
le "That doesn't always follow" Fra
g. told him hastily; mot by any means
w For here are other queens. See N
lie queen of spades? Maybe you'll &c
as her Maybe you want her. You SCI
at she either goes to you, or to the nez
ia card" --
-HBut don't want any queen
Inn SHADES" Abbott declared. He Ore
re the next card, and exclaimed dramati
ne ally, Saved, saved! Here's BOD. Gi'
,ai her to Bob Clinton"
lily "Oh, Abbott!" Fran exclaimed, loo
nd ing at him with starlike eyes and ros
DIM like cheeks, making the most fascins
ION ing picture he had ever beheid at mi
nd night under silver moon. DO y
'st- mean that? Remember you're on
new bridge over running water"
up Abbott paused uneasily. She look
loss like child than he had ever Sc
on her Her body was very slight
ne her face was 1t is marvelo
IT. how much of woman's seriousne
SOD was to be found in this girl de re
lrs. with the consciousness that for n
Jel- ment he had rather forgotten himsel
the He reminded her gravely-"We
the talking about cards-just cards.
she mo" said Fran, not stirring,
are talking about Grace Noir. You
pine YOU don't want her; you've alres
drawn yourself out. That leaves
OOH to poor Bob-he'll have to take
no' unless the joker. gets the lady
Joker is named the devil
the game isn't interesting any mo-
She threw down all the cards,
looked up, beaming. my! but
W. glad you came"
~ He was fascinated and could
move, though as convinced as at
beginning that they should not liz
thus. There might be fatal co
ouences; but the charm OF the Il
girl seemed to temper this chill KIN
edge to the shorn lamb. He tenn
lied: "Why don't you go on
Yam, YOUR fortune-telling, little girl?"
&|N| 81 just wanted to find out II q
YNB Noir is going to get you" she
candidly; ut doesn't matter what
~ comes OF her. Were you ever on
u bridge before?"
Fran, Miss Grace 10 one OF the
friends have, and-and eyerybod
mires her. The fact that you don't
her, shows that you are not all
= ought to be-"
Fran's dropping head hid her
a"u Was she contrite, or hooking!
Presently she looked up, her ex
!, an. sion that of grave cheerfulness,
name you've said what you thought yot
40, of 10 say.a she remarked. $50 that's
Were YOU ever on this bridge bef'
MO all Abbott was offended NO"
Ia II "Good, good!" with yivacious 9
siasm. "Both Of US must cross
nrned the same time and make wish.
v" me up-quick."
hasten she reached up both hands, an
drew bott lifted her to her feet
i uas whenever you cross new or
~ $3.50 ssx,o,,. ,nt,af mako n