The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-03-29
Chapter "a -
It's In Your Hand


THE announcement of the en-
gagement did not appear in
the Times and Netrs until three
months later. in the spring of 1886
Ihere was no hurry. Petronella
had said James agreed with her
Both felt that since they desired
their partnership to be permanent,
&C must be given trial. fetronella
might believe that she could be
happy in England. but find the test
OF quiet days too wearing. More
over, at first. she had strong feel
ing that events would prevent her
marriage. But this feeling gradu-
ally faded. BY the end of the three
months, she thought she must have
been wrong.
Spring came to Sussex. High
winds. and cold, were succeeded
by. soft days of light clouds and
bright sunshine. The wet hedges
budded. vivid green. There were
birds singing in the forest, a
cuckoo calling, pale green silver
birches, and masses of wild cherry
blossoms. There was such ethereal,
breathtaking loneliness and light
ness everywhere. that Petronella
knew she was happy, and refused
20 doubt the cause. In their time
arrived the first bee. the first but
Serfiy. gipSies on the road again.
She felt Iulled. peaceful. secure.
This amusing, friendly comrade-
ship with James promised to wear
well. 1t could, ana usually did. in
clude third person. without any
feeling that it was an intrusion.
She tried to imagine herself well
coming Tamara. if she had been
spending day with Tony. She
failed. But then she had been zoo
much engroSsed. 100 ecstatic. too
f1ercely happy, she told herself
wisely. Obviously. loving her only
IN his casual. practical way. as of
secondary consideration. ne would
soon have made her miserable.
James, she realized. was still ieal-
GUS of Tony's ghost. But as the
spring ended. and summer came,
his anxiety seemed to disappear.
The enthusiasm with which she
and Tamara hunted for old pieces
OF furniture. in the secondhand
shops was surely enough to reas-
sure any man that she was intend
ing to marry him.
Until her own doubts sprung to
life again. Ii was The fortune-te tell
er's fault. They went to the Derby.
Wandering round the fair. before
the racing started. T a m ara
dragged them to a big caravan, re-
splendent with much polish d
brass. red plush. and artificial f1o-
raj decoration.
"We must all have oui fortunes
told" she cried. She went first, dis
appearing gally up the three steps,
into the gaudy wagon. You're not
to hsten!" In ten minutes she came
dancing out again. "Pm not going
TO marry for two whole wears. and
my business ability is going to
cause me increasing financial en-
barrassment."
"That doesn't surprise me-"
laughed James. Your turn. next.
Petrol"
The fortune-teller was a white
faced. bright eyed woman She
exuded an odd. musty smell of
past meals. cheap black satin, and
a strong violet scent. She looked
into Petronella's face. anL glanced
at her hand.
you've had great variety. and
much travel. and seen dark days
You have an old keaI on young
shoulders Am | right?"
Petronella admitted that pos
sibly she had put the case fairly
accurately. She was half-amuSed.
hale disconnected by this self
revelation from an unSav worry
stranger. Part of her mind desired
to hide all her real feelings. to get
outside. laughing. into the fresh
AIR, as soon as possible. But the
other part was intensely curious
70 hear what she had 70 say.
He Loves You Truly
THERE'S two gentlemen that
1 loves you. one is dark, one is
fair. One is in troubled country.
and you'll 60 to him soon" The cry
was forced from her. mol"
"Yes, you will. It's in your
hand" the gypsy resumed in her
sing song voice. Half against
your viii, but for good reason, and
an unselfish motive. But he loves
you truly. and though there will
be much trouble you viii find hap
piness."
with - with the dark haired
mani"
81 can't say. But I do know
you're buying furniture for a home
which viii be lived in by another
woman: Now. for another shill-
ing"
Z mo, thank you. That Is enoughl"
@Any good?" asked James. II
say, you look awfully white, my
dear. Is there anything wrong?1
'Do you think there is anything
in it," Petrol asked. shakily.
Sometimes. Sometimes it's Just
ia pack of lies. What did she tell
your"
"An awful lot OF nonsense, I ex-
pect. What else did she say to you.
Famara?"