Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1913-09-10

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. Not 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, just had to say it in that
voice, so you'd know meant it. Cont
be cross with me-"
She shutf1ed 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; l 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. 1 see" he
cried This is me" he drew card
from the pack-''the king of hearts"
He held it triumphantly. We'll. 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 1
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 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 youll 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"
"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
new bridge over running water"
Abbott paused uneasily. She looked
less like child than he had ever seen
her. Her body was very siight-but
her face was 1t is Marvellous
how much of woman's seriousness
was to be found in this girl He rose
with the consciousness that for mo-
nent he had rather forgotten himself
He reminded her gravely-"We are
alking 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
% poor Bob-he'l have TO take her.
Unless the joker gets the lady the |
Joker is nance the devil So
he game isn't interesting any more"
She threw down all the cards. and |
ooked up. beaming. MY! but I'm
glad you came"
He was fascinated and could not |
move, though as convinced as at the |
that they should not linger
-hus. There might be fatal conse-
luences; but the charm of the little |
girl seemed to temper this chill knowl- I
Edge to the shorn lamb He temper.
ged: Why don't you go OIL with
'oCr fortune-telling, little girl?"
Il just wanted to find out If Grace |
loir is going To get YOU" sho said
"it doesn't matter what be- !
zones of her. Were you ever on this
fridge before?"
Fran, Miss Grace is one of the best
riends have, and-and everybody adj
hires her. The fact that you don't like
Ter. shows that you are not all you
'ught to be-
Fran's dropping head hid her face
Vas she contrite, or mocking?
Presently she looked up. her express
ion that of grave cheerfulness. Now
'ouve saifi what you thought you had
o say" she remarked. $50 that's over.
We're you ever on this bridge before?"
Abbott was offended. mo"
Good. good" with vivacious enthu-
iasm Both of us must cross it at
he same time and make wish Help
ne up-quick.
She reached up both hands. and Alb
iott lifted her to her feet.
Whenever you cross new bridge"
ia explained, you must make a wish.