The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-09-04


the boards, and, cblivious 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, y
she was saying 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 acquaintance. Was she
reading 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 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 l 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 l wouldn't go to all this
trouble for nothing Now look. This
card is Fran-the 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 rot 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
go away until she's done what she
came to do" Then she added mildly
abbott, l just had to say 1t in that
voice, so you'd know | 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 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. "Oh, l see, see!" he
cried. This is me-" he drew 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.
1--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 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 l 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 most fascinat-
ing picture he had ever beheld at mid
night under a silver moon. 'Do you
mean that? Remember you'@e 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