The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-09
WHAT THE CARDS told"
BY N. S. ZARlck.

= ny ". =. ZANuON. =
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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 loneliness Of nature,
but to a young man with a wealth of
money in his pocket, the beauty of the
scene, SO out of accord with his feel
ings, comes with q sensation that jars.
He had been revolving the situation
every point of the question, and the
outlook was anything but encourag ing.
The letter that he held in his hand
demanded an immediate reply. 1t was
short business note from firm in
a distant city: offering him position
at very small increase of salary.
Ordinarily he would have dispatched
the matter after scarcely q moments
deliberation. To accept the offer
would mean no appreciable rise in the
world, and it would sever certain cher
ished associations. But that was just
the thing. Was it 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, was
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
derneSS?
But why torture himself with
thoughts of the future? 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 sudio,
where she elected to paint when it
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 him.
II am glad you have come" she said.
II think was about to give way to
one Of my moods. don't like moody
people, do your
He looked at her. Could she not
guess that whatever phase Of her
character might be turned to him, he
loved her always3 But they were
treading on dangerous ground.
He told her that he was about to 60
away, that he probably would not r.
turn for many years, and he tried to
speak lightly Of the many changes that
might occur before they would meet
again. Was It Imagination that made
him think she paled slightly At his
words1
'Isn't this q sudden determination
she asked. why are you goingT'
She had turned her face away, and
he could not catch the expression that
had suddenly stolen over 1t.
I, 'There are many reasons" he said.
II doubt If you would be interested in
q 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 perceptbly.
She, too, was unusually silent. At
length he grew desperate. His eyes
fell on a pack of cards that lay in Il
table near her.
"Why, 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. 81 was not playing solitaire.
| 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. u
/ foe and q journey 10 so. It's really
a most edifying way Of spending the
time"
He handed the pack to her. ''TeII
me my future" he said. Il am going
away. l should like to know what is
| before me-"
/ She smiled. Il half believe You are
| skeptical / wonder IL I can convince
you of the wonderful truths that lie
| hidden therer' She drew out king
of hearts as SHE spoke you are in
love-" she said. Her eyes met his
for one moment, then a wave OF color
swept up TO her brow. He leaned for
ward eaerly.
Eyes" he said, that is true" And
his voice was husky.
She was fdly turning the cards over
in her hands one after another. ''You
love woman strongly, tenderly, as
man may love, and yet you will not
tell her so. [ can read pride here, and
this it is that keeps you from it."
Che yor1cnJ Inf he hpprpfi her to 60