Part 30 (1/2)

Zula H. Esselstyn Lindley 16180K 2022-07-22

”Yes, I hardly think there are any of them who would care to cultivate a refined nature, even if they had the opportunity.”

”Have you any faith in their fortune telling?”

Scott laughed as he answered: ”Oh, no; though I had my fortune told by an old gypsy once, but have hardly thought of it since.”

”Has any of it come true?”

”Well, really, I have not noticed. Let me see--why yes, I do not know but there has a part of it come to pa.s.s.”

”Then she must have known.”

”No, I think she guessed at it.”

”How could she?”

”Easy enough.”

”What did she tell you?”

”That my parents were both living and that I had never soiled my hands with work.”

”Was it true?”

”Yes.”

”Was that all?”

”No, she said that I would marry a beautiful woman.”

”And so you did,” said Carrie, thoughtlessly. ”And is that all?”

”She said there were tears for me, and that I would commit a crime.”

”Mercy!” said Carrie, starting.

”Do not get excited, Miss Horton, I a.s.sure you I have not the least intention of making good her prophecy,” Scott said, smiling.

”No, I do not think you have, but--”

”But what?”

”If you should happen to.”

”I do not think it will ever happen.”

”How long ago was it that you had your fortune told?”

”Oh, several years ago. I merely had it told to please my curiosity. I have hardly thought of it since.”

”It seems strange that any of it should come true if she did not know what it was.”