“Let it be this afternoon. I will call for you promptly at four o’clock,” he added, smiling at her as he bowed himself out. Madame Barto laughed knowingly, and exclaimed: “You pretty child, you are fortunate to have Frank Laurier pay you such attention. He is well-born, and rolling in wealth. Your dark eyes have turned his head! Hark, the bell again!” and she retreated quickly to her parlor. Jessie hurried to the door, and again her unconscious hand opened the door to destiny. A beautiful brunette of about twenty, richly gowned, and with an imperious air, entered the hall, and said curtly: “I wish to see Madame Barto quickly.” Jessie carried the message, and said: “This young lady looks as pale and agitated as the young man who has just left.” “Oh, it’s another love scrape, I suppose. That’s what usually brings them here! Well, you may send her in at once!” The moment that the beautiful brunette found herself alone with Madame Barto she exclaimed breathlessly: “Just now as I was passing in my carriage I saw a young man I know--Frank Laurier--leaving this house. Did he come to have his fortune told, or--or--to see that lovely girl that admitted me?” Madame answered demurely: “To have his fortune told, of course. In the lines of his hand I found a broken engagement, and he wished to know if it would ever be renewed.” “And you told him----” eagerly. “I beg pardon. I cannot disclose the secrets of my customers,” madame returned, rather stiffly, as she bent over the jeweled hand her customer had just ungloved. A bursting sigh heaved the young girl’s breast, and she cried plaintively: “Quick! What do you see?” “Ah, how strange! I see in your hand, also, a broken engagement!” she exclaimed, in surprise. “Yes, yes--now, tell me, will we ever make it up, our foolish quarrel!” cried the girl wildly. Madame answered deliberately: “The fates are against it. I see here that your path will be crossed by a charming rival, who will lure his heart away!” The girl snatched her hand away and arose, furious with passion, crying: “Woe be unto that girl! She had better never been born than come between me and my lover!” “There are other men to love you!” consoled madame. “What do I care for them? I want only him! And I have been so foolish, I have driven him from me! But no one else shall have him! I swear it!” cried the brunette, her dark eyes flashing wildly, as she paid the fortune teller, adding, “Come, tell me all you told Frank Laurier, and all this is yours!” and she held out a roll of bank notes. Madame was not proof against the golden bribe, so she answered: “I told him the engagement would most likely never be renewed--that a lovely blonde was fated to come between them and cause much unhappiness.” “Let her beware!” hissed the beautiful girl, under her breath, as madame took up her hand again, saying: