The Argosy — page 20: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The House of Halliwell. " * What a dreadful thing!” uttered Lucy, with a long face. “I will not have mine told.” “T don’t know that Hester will care much about it, though,” re- sumed Aunt Copp, her eyes following the cards. ‘“ For it seems as if you would be in the midst of business, child, all your life; the busi- ness of others: some good, some bad. I should say you would be full of usefulness, my dear, so console yourself.” “Ay, do console yourself, Hester,” mocked the Major. ‘I hope you will be able to sleep to-night.” Mrs. Copp was nettled. ‘“ You may make as much game as you like, James, but I know the cards tell true, and that Hester will be an old maid. You'll see.” ‘“T sha’n’t live to see,” responded the Major, “it will be beyond my time. Hester, how many cats shall you keep ?” “Shall I tell yours?” exclaimed Mrs. Copp, with animation. ““Come, Major; and then you will prove whether I tell true or not.” “Very well,” answered the Major. ‘‘ Hand over the cards. Shuffle first, isn’t it?” Hester stole round the table and laid her hand on the pack. ** Papa,” she said, ‘‘do not have it done.” The Major turned and put on his spectacles to stare at her. “Why, Hester! you are never such a goose!” “TI do not believe in what Aunt Copp has told me, or care for it,” was the remark of Hester. ‘‘ But if she said anything bad to you, papa, I might think of it.” | | “Be quiet, Hester,” said Aunt Copp. ‘I'll tell him, and then he’ll remember not to mock at me.” The Major nodded at his children, and they looked on with a smile. All, except Hester: she stood, grave and quiet, one arm folded over the other. “Tf I did not know to the contrary,” began Aunt Copp, studying the Major’s “fortune” in the cards, as they were arrayed out before her, “I should say you were immersed in business, James. Here you are, you see, up to your eyes in worry.” “Ho, ho, ho!” laughed the Major. ‘‘Go on.” *‘] had rather not go on,” replied Aunt Copp, after another pause. *“Tt is the worst fortune I ever told in my life. Here’s perplexity, disappointment, loss of money, not only to you, but to all who sur- round you ; and there’s something worse than that.” “Tell it out,” cried the Major. “ Death,” said Aunt Copp, “and very speedy. It follows you ; it will follow you, place the cards as I will.” The Major laughed till his eyes watered. ‘‘ Alfred, boy, run for a lawyer. I'll make my will.” Aunt Copp pushed the cards together, and threw them on a side- table. ‘I am sorry I told it,” she said. CoOmiclooolkKks