Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-01-02
WHAT THE CARDS TOLD"
by N. 8. zARIcK.

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A spring sun with early flowers and
a sky overhead like the deep blue of
Delft plate may be very attractive to
one attuned to the lovellness Of nature,
but to young man with q wealth of
money In his pocket, the beauty of the
scene, so out of accord with his feel
ings, comes with sensation that jars.
He had been revolving the situation
In his mind; had carefully considered
every point of the question, and the
outlook was anything but encouraging
The letter that he held in his hand
demanded an immediate reply. 1t was
a short business note from firm i'm
a distant city, offering him "a position
at very small Increase of salary.
Ordinarily he would have dispatched
the matter after scarcely moments
elaboration. To accept the offer
would mean no appreciable rise in the
world, and il would sever certain cher
ished associations. But that was just
the thing. Was 1t not the part of wis
dom to put distance between him and
. an object that was unattainable? To
, see the woman he loved, to be brought
into almost daily contact with her
beauty and her thousand charms, w.
simply to live In FOOLS paradise.
To know that other men wooed her.
laid their hearts secrets before her,
and at least stood chance of winning
her, was maddening to him whose lips
were sealed. How could he ask her
to share his lot? What had he to offer
her but heart overlooking with ten
dernessf
But why torture himself with
thoughts of the future7 AS for the
present, his mind was made up. He
had written his letter accepting the
position offered him, and his prepare
tons for departure were concluded.
There was nothing left for him to do
but to bid some Of his friends good
by.
He was ushered into the little sud,o,
where she elected to paint when 1t
suited her fancy.
She was sitting near the bay win
dow, her hands clasped loosely In her
lap, and her eyes dreamy expression
which showed that her thoughts were
far away. She rose when she saw
him, and came forward to meet hir,.
Il am glad you have come" she said.
II think l was about to give way to
one Of my moods. don't like moody
people, do you?"
He looked at her. Could she not
guess that whatever phase of her
character might be turned to him, he
loved her always? But they were
treading on dangerous ground.
He told her that he was about to go
away, that he probably would not re-
turn for many years, and he tried TO
speak lightly of the many changes that
might occur before they would meet
again. Was 1t imagination that made
him think she paled slightly at his
words?
"Isn't this sudden determination?
she asked. "lYhy are you going?"
She had turned her face away, and
he could not catch the expression that
had suddenly stolen over it.
There are many reasons" he said.
Il doubt If you would be interested in
recital of them. l am afraid / am
growing egOtistical. Let us talk of
something else" And this they at
tempted to do, but the conversation
Jagged perceptibly.
She, too, was unusually silent. At
length he grew desperate. His eyes
fell on a pack Of cards that lay In a
table near her.
why, l do believe" he said, laugh
ing, that you were playing solitaire
before came in. You must have been
very much bored"
THAT is your own conclusion" she
replied. II was not playing solitaire.
l can explain the presence of those
cards by telling you that was trying
my fortune. When you appeared In
the doorway, had just discovered the
pleasing fact that had a friend, a
foe and journey TO 80. rs really
most edifying way OF spsAlina the
time"
lie handed the pack 70 ~. 'TeIl
me my future" he wi. Yam going
away. should e. knfg what Is
Ds'of' ''t >kst she
~ AsA n q-.etse YOU are
itl,. VI Etf can convince
Ye0 OF ne >5ldfflu truths i|ft lic
hidden ser she drew QUO y king
pf.. n ss she spoke. @Yo, .rA M
NE said Har .-xaS ~. -