The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-02-01
CHAPTER x.

Dolores had been gone an hour be-
fore Webster reused from his bitter
introspection sufficiently to glance at
his watch. "Hum.m-m!" he grunted
, disapprovingly.
"Oh, I've been here fully half an
hour" Dolores voice assured him.
He turned guiltily and found her lean
ing against the jamb in a doorway be-
hind him and farther down the ver-
anda. She was gazing at him with
that calm, impersonal yet. vitality in
terested glance that had so captivated
him the first time he saw her. Are
you quite finished talking to yourself
and fighting imaginary enemies? It
SO, you might talk to me for change;
III even disagree with you on any
subject, if opposition will make you
any happier"
He rose and indicated the chair.
"Please sit down, Miss Ruey. You are
altogether disconcerting-too con-
foundedly smart. T fear I'm going to
be afraid Of you until know you bet
ter"
/ She shrugged adorably and took the
proffercd chair. "Thats the Latin in
her-that shrug." Webster thought. Il
wonder what other mixtures. go to
make up that perfect whole"
Aloud he said: $50 you wanted to
study me in repose? Why waste your
time? I am never in rep0se."
"Feminine curiosity, Mr.. Webster.
Billy has talked so much of you
that wanted to see if you measured
up to the specifications. Just let me
have your hand, and Ill tell you all
about yourself"
us there any charger
"Yes, nominal one. However, I
guarantee a truthful reading; if, when
am through, you are not wholly sat-
istied, you do not have to pay the
price. Is that a satisfactory arrange
ment?
fright as fox" he declared. and
held out his great calloused hand. He
thrilled as she took it in both of hers.
so soft and beautiful, and fattened it
out, palm upward, on her knee. "A
fine, large, useful hand" she comment
ed musingly. 'The callouses indicate
recent hard manual toll with a pick
and shovel; despite your recent efforts
with soap and brush and pumice-stone,
there still remain evidence Of some
foreign matter tngrained in those CAL
lous spots. This line indicates that
you are very brave, gentle, and cour-
teous. You are quick and firm in your
decisions, but not always right, be-
cause your actions are governed by
your heart instead of your head.
Once you have made a decision, you
are reckless of the consequences. Your
lifeline tells me you are close to fifty
three years Of age"
"Seeress. you're shooting high and
to the right" he interrupted, for he
did not relish that jab about his age.
''T'll have you know was forty years
old last month, and that can still do
hundred yards in twelve seconds fiat
in my working clothes"
well, don't feel peeved about it,
Mr.. Webster. am not infallible; the
best you can hope for from me is a
high percentage Of hits, even If I did
shoot high and to the right that time.
In point Of worldly experience you're
a hundred and six years old but I
Topped off fifty per cent. to be on the
safe side. To continue. You are Of
an extremely chivalrous nature
particularly toward young ladies
travelling without chaperons; you are
kind, affectionate, generous to fault,
something of spendthrift. One may
safely depend upon you to do the I'M.
expected. Your matrimonial line is
unbroken, proving you have never
married, although right here the line is
somewhat dim and frayed." She
looked up at him suddenly. "You
haven't been in love, have you?" she
queried with childlike insouciance.
I'm love-and disappointed?'
He nodded, for he could not trust
himself to speak.
"How sad!" she cooed sympatheti-
cally. did she marry another; or did
she die?'
"She-she-yes, she died."
"Cauliflower tongue, in all prob
ability, carried her off. poor thingl
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