The Press., 1920-03-18
The Tea Cup Analyst
8A<D
By RALPH HAMILTON

Copyright. 1919. by the Wsstsrn Nsrs-
 paper Union.)
 They called Miss Phoebe Dayton spinster, but juvenile looking and ami mated at forty. the seeress of the viii lage, she never laid claim to any extraordinary occult powers. Her speciality was tea grounds and she enjoyed telling fortunes through the bottom of cup.
 "Of course it may be silly and all that" Miss Dayton confessed, "but its pleasure for me and fun for the bright young spirits who flock about me. l never try to find any misfortune in the tea grounds-but always some thing bright and hopeful and happy"
 Miss Dayton had invited five girls to tea and as they reached the end of the reflection there was a thrill of eX- citement and anticipation as she an- nounced:
 Now then, girls, pass up your tea cups in the order in which you sit and I will try and conStrue what the tea leaves say. Oh, dear! My own cup predicts a new arrival. It is a hand some young man. Don't fiutter so. Only one of you can have him."
 (Which is the lucky girl?" pressed Ada Rankin.
 Not you, dear," announced Miss Dayton, flor you already have one ring and I see another one coming
 There was one new girl in the group who took in all this exhibition of clair voyant power with great innocent eyes. She was Elsie Travis and she shrunk back timidly as she passed up her cup. She fairly trembled as Miss Dayton took up the cups in turn, gave each one a shake and impressively sur veyed the leaves and SpeckS. Over two of the cups she shook her head quite doubtingly. Then she picked up the one Elsie had drank out of. Elsie had noticed that in some way her cup had been put fourth in order | instead of fifth. where it belonged. Miss Dayton did not know this. Alma WhartOn's cup" she an nounced mistakenly. "Ah. heres fine oracle. Alma. you are the forum ate one. Here is the handsome stran- ger. The sun is shining when he comes and l see an auto ride in the moonlight. sweet love making, a hIushing happy bride, fairy castle like palace"
 Alma laughed gayly. 'I shall tell my fiance all about it." she exulted, and make him jealous" and then as Miss Dayton read fanciful fortune from the last cup-really Alma-the party broke up.
 Miss Dayton had introduced "the handsome young man because friend in another town had advised her that one Perry Barton. living there, had been left some property in ElmwOod through the death of a relative, includ- ing the show place of the town, the CedarS.
 The impressionable Elsie was cons:d | erably aroused by the fortune of the | teacup and she began to live TO | nance, wondering if the prediction o1 | Miss Dayton would come true. A week after the tea party Elsie | Stroling through the woods in ques | of flowers came upon young mar | d with cane and suggested a persor who had recently sustained some limf injury. queer t' Till pervaded Elsie as she noticed with one swift glance that he was young and undeniabl. handsome, and her foolish little hear fluttered as he halted and lifted hi hat cOurteOuSly.
 | rIn you live in the town?" and then, a. Elsie aSsented, he added: "I met witt an auto accident a week ago and har' been rusticating at the hotel. start ed for ElmwOOd expecting to get SOn
 mail, but I find my sprained foot wil not carry me there. I wonder whe' you go back to the village if you coul'
 written ortler-and hire some accom-
 modating lad to deliver it to me an'
 will gladly pay him for his trouble. | "I will see that your wish i, attend ed to-" replied Elsie, and the yOun
 man wrote on q card authorizing tn | postmaster to deliver to the beare
 what mail there might be for Perr
 Barton.
 | Elsie received three letters at tn
 post office She had it in mind t.
 have her little brother Ned take then to the hotel. He was not in read -i call, so she herself walked back to tn
 lake MT. Barton was prOfuSe in hi thanks. He told Elsie the details o his accident and she Sympathized il | lie To haI cto ortn m wood on business, but this was post poned on account of his accident an' awaiting repairs on his automobile. But that would be ready for use tn next day, he further told Elsie, ant would she bear him company then, am
 add to her kindness by showing hn
 the points of interest in the district
 And one moonlight night a little late | aS he took her home from a driV
 around the lake. it suddenly daWne
 upon Elsie that at least TWO points il
 Miss Dayton's prediction had com
 true.
 | It was a few evenings later whe
 Perry Barton told Elsie of his love
 In a mutual confidence that follOwe party.
 "An that's left to complete tn oracle is the caStle-like palace - smile Barton Well. my dear. that too i an actuality. It was to look over tn ! CedurS. which I have inherited. tha I came to Elmwond. and you. miStreS of my heart, are bound to he it's mis trsSs, tooP