The Washington herald., 1914-11-28
DAILY SHORT STORY.
CHANDLER's FORTUNE.
By JUNE GAHAN.
.o.aA

swing. Dick Chandler entered the
large room and looked eagerly around
for Margery Dane. There were scores
Of dark-haired girls gabed in white and
although most Of them smiled sweetiy
upon Dick. not one OF them was the girl
he was looking for.
Slowly he wandered among the gayly
decked booths; pretty msidens, dressed
10 represent every nation under the sun,
tempted him to exchange his money for
their wares: but he promised them all
that he would return and so went on, his
eyes always on the alert for Margery.
As Dick passed the fancywork table
one matron whispered to another with
nod at the handsome young man.
There's Dick Chandler-looking for
Margery Dane as usual. How long has
he been dangling after .her?"
several years returned the other.
Bob says Dick doesn't dare put the
question to Margery for fear she will
refuse him."
"Humph!" Margery has refused several
men since Dick began to devote himself
to her. II he doesn't make haste he will
lose her in the end"
DICK Chandler, unconscious Of these
criticisms Of his dilatory wooing, was still
watching for Hargery. He knew that she
was not to take an active part In the ba-
zaar because OF a recently sprained ankle.
He saw Mrs. Dane in the distance and
he resolved to seek her out II Margery
did not soon appear.
At the end OF the room he turned and
came down the other aisle. Tucked
away in shaded corner was a fortune s
teller's tent. Because he had made up
his mind to propose to Margery that very
NJ. al a. -
tent and found out wether his wooIng
would be successful or not.
So he bent his tall head and entered.
The shawls that draped the tent fell
softly behind him ar he found himself
in a dimly lighted room where a gypsy
woman sat on heap OF rugs before a
low table.
She was a young woman; he could
see that by the slenderness Of her form
and the contour of her cheek A golden
scarf was twisted about her dark hair.
and around her neck were strings Of
colored beads.
81 would like to have my fortune
told" began Dick.
Cross my palm with silver"
After Dicks generous fee had been
jingled into a brass bowl, he sat down
on the rugs opposite the fortune teller
and laid his hand on the table.
You would know about business
Dick blushed. well. er-not exactly:
you see, 1 happen to know very well
just how my business affairs are fixed"
You would know about absent friends
perhaps?"
My friends are all at home"
Then hesitating. you would know
the past and the future?'
You might unfold the future, mad
anne" laughed Dick: You see ! know
the past pretty thoroughly. but the fu-
ture is interesting"
Then il is-about love, you would ask
me?"
Go ahead" returned Dick, terseIy.
The gypsy took his hand and studied
the palm intently. Dick found himself
marveling at the length of the black
lashes that shaded her eyes.
You are unmarried she said. in a
low. thrilling tone. You are unmarried,
but you love-
"Yes-go on" cried Dick.
She is fair-very fair
That's right-there isn't another like
her in the world" agreed Dick. forgetting
his embarrassment.
teller, just as il he had not interrupted.
with golden hair. like imprisoned sun
light; blue eyes. like violets. and"
Hold on interrupted Dick again. in a
perturbed tone: 'she really isn't at all
like your description"
How do you know" retorted the gypsy
angrily. Am l not telling the fortuneRES
Is 1t not for me TO read the palm and
tell what I see graved there? What
matters 1t IL now you see other Jnaidens
who look not like the one 1 described?
shall marry the one describe-and none
other"
Well. go ahead. I don't have to marry
her-remember that"
She is fair. with golden hair"
Like imprisoned sunshine - don't
forget that" muttered Dick.
Like imprisoned sunshine" droned
the gypsy. And eyes Of violet and
teeth of pearl"
am" remarked Dick, doggedly; per
haps the girl I have in mind could
have golden hair If she really want
ed II, but she couldn't have violet
eyes II she tried! Say eyes like brown
pansies drenched in dew
Il am telling your fortune, sir: and
II you do not like it. why, you must
make the best of 1t. Your fate will
have eyes of violet blue and golden
hair that is all her own. You may not
meet her for many years. but SOM
day-you will claim her for your own"
My fate! Why, madam. I thought
l knew my own fate" cried Dick, bit
terly, Il thought she had mists OF dark
curling hair-skin like a magnolia
petal and eyes like brown pansies!
suppose II she came to you to have
her fortune tOld-you would tell her
that she was to marry some little
bounder like Archie Ford!
He sure has the inside track there"
He bent his head on his hand and
stared gloomily at the table.
sir. 1t lies within my power to tell
you the appearance of the man the
brown-eyed girl loves"
Il know myself" groaned Dick
Short and fat and freckled, with mil
lions OF money! Wears plaid clothes
like horse blankets and
He stopped short and stared at his
Was he dreaming or