The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-01-25
(Coyrisht, MAJ
HAVE often been disconnected in 4
restaurant by the discovery Of the


restaurant by the discovery of thu
amazingly intimate themes Of the
conversations which are being carried on
around me. 1t Is on such occasions thai
the gift ] have OF learning what people
are saying by merely looking at their
faces becomes a very questionable pos
session. Once when was lunching with
Mr.. Carryer at the Kings restaurant.
actually saw a girl proposing to a man.
I did not see what his reply was:
looked away. feeling that this was GER
tsinly a case in which a third person was
not company. / had scarcely got over
the embarrassment which my uninten-
tional eavesdroppinG had occasioned me
when Harry Carryer said:
You see that fellow over there? That's
Isolda-"
"And who may Isolda be-" / inquired.
looking in the direction indicated.
IT thought every one knew who Isolda
was. He's the fortune-telling Johnny,
chiromancer, palmist, or whatever he
calls himself, whom every one Is rush
ing to consult"
Isolda was a tall, narrow-chested. thin
faced. large-lipped. big-eyed. long-haired.
dandified individual, who. I felt sure.
freely used perfume. Presently a man
crossed the restaurant and took a seat at
Isolda's table. In appearance he was q
contrast to Isolda-short, thick set, red
checked, blue eyed; even at that distance
/ was convinced that he reeked Of the
country and the open air. Harry Car
ryer proceeded to regale me with a va
riety Of anecdotes in which Isolda was
the chief character; some Of them were
such odd ones that I glanced at him
again. The red-faced man was speaking
with such emphasis that 1 had to see
what he was saying.
.You understand I am RofnH to most
you up in everything about her, and you
must let it on on her as IL you had got 1t
from the stars. You are to tell her that
the consumption of which her sister e.
sic died was brought on by a broken heart
because she was In love with a dark man
with a slight cast in one eye-that's Tom
Harvey. I know she was spoons on him:
she couldn't marry him because he had
got no money. Then you are to tell her
that her fate is mixed up-well, describe
a man like me. Lay it on thick. Tell her
1 have proposed to her five times, which
/ have; and that IL she don't take me
when I make 1t the sixth theren be no
end OF a rumpus. And look here; this is
what 1 particularly want you. to tell
her"
The speaker. leaning over the table,
have no doubt dropped his voice to
whisper: he had grace enough to do that.
Tell her that she once cheated at BAG
carat, that the secret is known to one
person, and that the only way she can
save herself from a scandal is by mar
rying me. Tell her also that she owes
money for bets-so she does, a good bit
and that exposure is bound to come unless
she protects herself by becoming my
wife. II you manage things properly.
when propose to her again-tonight or
tomorrow-she'n accept me right away;
and IL she does accept me I'll give you
fifty pounds"
Isolda said nothing; he was apparently
engrossed with the contents of his plate.
The other plainly resented his silence.
We'll, aren't you going to tell her what
I want you to-"
II tell you that fifty pounds is not a
large sum-for a wife"
How much do you want?"
AT least a hundred"
Very well. you shall have hundred;
only mind-I trust you
The speaker produced a blank check
and q fountain PEN As he was filling
up the check the palmist asked:
What is the lady's name-this timer"
THE lady's name-this time-is Lucille
Goodwin. She is coming from Hyde Park
Gate I impressed on her the necessity
at $50 sharp. I told her to wear a sprig
of white heather. As 1 believe 1t Is not
your custom to ask your clients names
for ii impresses them so much more to
find that you know them without asking
that sprig of white heather will tell You
who she is"
And if she doesn't wear the sprig of
white heather"
She'll have cornfiowers in her hat;
cornfower blue is her favorite color; 1t
does become her. She thinks cornhowers
bring her luck: she's always got one
slowed away somewhere about her"
That's the most significant item of
you've given me yet; it's
possible that I may be able to make
more of that than Of anything else. I
wish you good morning"
As they left I glanced at the watch on
my wrist 1t was Just after 3 I won
dered IL I could communicate with Miss
Lucille Goodwin before she started for
Isolda I asked the waiter for the tele-
phone call book. Harry surveyed me, as
I searched its columns. with disapprov-
ing glances.
I'm looking for a person named God
win. There seems to be lot Of them.
they are all over London. Hyde Park
Gate-that looks like the one I'm after.
II you don't mind, I rather want to send
a telephone message"
I went out and sent it. This is the sort
of dialogue which took place:
"Yes7 Who's there?'
rs that Mrs. Godwin's? I want Miss
Lucille Goodwin"
"In go and fetch her. What name,
please?"
ASK her to be quick-Tve something
very important to say to her." Appar-
emily I had hit upon the right Goodwin
the first time of asking. I waited for sew
eral seconds. Suddenly the sound Of a
Eirlish voice reached my ears.
Yes? Who are you? I'm in a hurry;
I've got an appointment. I'm Just rush.
ing of to keep it"
You are going to Isolda.''
There was a note Of surprise in the
clear young voice. 4
How do you know that? Who are |
your
"You are wearing a spriE of white
heather for luck"
who told you that? Whoever are
your,
Il want you pay particular attention to
what Isolda says to You. He has been
told to tell you that your sister Elsie |
really died of a broken heart, because
she was in love with Mr.. Harvey
Good gracious! VIII you tell me who |
you are?"
He has also been told to tell you that |
your fate is mixed up with short, square
man, with red cheeks and blue eyes,
whom YOU viii recognize from his de- |
scription."
why, that's George Ration. Before |
you say another word will you please tell |
me who you are?"
Hes been told to tell you that you
once cheated at baccarat"
"Ohr' A shrek came over the wire. |