Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1922-03-10
mot TIL You Pay Me--ohsatIns .
Poor Wldder."

|
Poor Wilder"
sign was affixed to the middle panel.
II hope she will buy some soap when
she receives my fee-it really needs
| II here"
The door opened, half an inch--an
inch--two inches, and large, dark
eye surveyed her susplciously.
"A customer" asked woman's
voice.
"Yes."
"walt a minute" She disappeared
and presently the door opened and dis
covered MADAME Sadie" gaudily at
tired in a red and yellow kimono with
a ragged wisp Of black lace draped
over her gray locks.
"Come In, miss, but first I want to
know If you're one of them newspaper
ladies who come snoopln' around look
ing for stories, as they call 'em?"
mo" smiled Myra family. II only
came because I wanted my fortune
told"
"Sh.h.h.h,h" Kissed madame, pull
ing her client into the room and clos
ing the door. II amt no fortune teller
I'm respectable lady who some
times ears bit Of extra money by
reading the future. past or present"
She numbered to the window and
pulled the shades down, then cautious
ly peered out. "Aha ] thought So
drat him, a.snoopln' around and spoil
Ing business"
She motioned Myra into chair and
took one opposite, dropping her head
back on the cushions and closing her
heavy eyes. She breathed audlbly.
The room was very quiet, but beyond
the closed doors Myra could hear
children crying and the rough voices
of men. She wished she had not ven
tured into this unknown neighborhood
alone.
Madame suddenly awoke from her
trance. Fee two dollars" she said
violently,
"Oh, of COURSE" and Myra pulled
the money ont of her little purse. The
fortune teller snatched ut the bills and
tucked them away she watched
Myras purse with greedy eyes unt'l
II vanished,
~ could give YOU better fortune
for five dollars, dearle,' she urged.
81 will take two dollars worth"
said M-fa, disguised,
The heavy lids settled over the avid
eyes. The hoarSe voice droned mOnot.
0nously familiar pattering talk, famll.
lar to all who have ever attended a
country fair; suddenly the humble
became dstinguishable words.
IL see water-and ships-and l see
uniforms-blue uniforms with gold
stripes and brass buttons. Miss, you
are going to meet stranger. He Is
an otticer-ir-let me see-the navy;
yes, ma'am-you'll meet him soon.
You will fall in love with each other
and marry-there what girl wants
better fortune than that?' Her big
eyes popped wide open, and she rolled
them at Myra in rather alarming
way.
THANK you very much,' said Myra,
anxious to get away. an go now"
Not till you pay me for your for
tune, pretty miss
Il paid You" said Myra quietly. al.
though she was much afraid. She
walked to the door. LET me out,
please"
mot till you pay intoxicating a
poor wilder woman you never paid
me a penny, and me handing you
regular ten-dollar fortune. A naval
officer says |, with gold lace on him!
What else could he be, ask your
Who else wears blue uniforms and
brass buttons and gold stripesl Who
else, ask you, mlss?'
"Police officers wear 'em, Sadie, and
you know II !" said quiet voice from
ali open window.
Myra fairly flew across the room.
"Please let me out" she begged II
am afraid" The window slipped up,
the certains were pushed aside and
policeman entered - such young
Adonis of the force as Myra had never
gaZed upon.
AT II again, Sadie, eh?" said the
officer grlmly. what did tell you
last time? If catch that sign up
again, II find you doing any more
crooked work, you know what It
meansy
Now, Mister Rock, you were
listening at the broken pane-were
your cried the woman.
~ certainly was - heard every
word Even the holdup afterward|
"Then you know l gave her her
worth-a naval officer-gold
buttons and al"
Officer Rock laughed softly, and
Myra thought that ships officer
could be no finer, look no finer nor
Drawer than he In his blue and gold.
"Shlps officers are not the only ones
that wear uniforms" he reminded her,
and then he turned to Myra az II he
had just noticed her, but she had been
conscious Of his protecting glance all
he time. "You better come with nae
aow and I'll put you on ysur way
home" II
Strange to say, Madame Sadle's for
.une almost came true, for Myra ala
marry and next spring an officer who
Uore blue and rold a vounS Albania |