nd frequently a chief was slain ere
he could rise from his place,--the circumstance would point an analogy
which it has not with us, suggesting not merely mortality but betrayal;
a breach of all the laws of hospitality; impending death by violence.
Since we can not live forever, among every assemblage of individuals
there is likely to be one at least whose life may be nearly at its
close. The more persons present, the greater the probability;
therefore there is really a greater fatality in the numbers fourteen,
twenty, thirty, than in thirteen.

"But to return to the point from which we started--no, Emily, it is not
necessary to sit down. You will observe that many persons who declare
emphatically that they are not superstitious, are nevertheless
influenced by old-time sayings and practices; some of which, though
perhaps beautiful originally, have now lost all significance; others
which are simply relics of paganism. Men are often as irrational in
this respect as women; and, notice this well, you will find
superstition much more common among non-Catholics than among Catholics.
As we have seen, however, some of us do not realize that what we are
pleased to call certain harmless eccentricities, are very like the
superstitious practices forbidden by the First Commandment."

Kate and Emily were not giving to this little homily the attention it
deserved. They had begun to trifle as girls are wont to do. Catching
at the tiny bisque cupid that hung from the chandelier, Emily
sportively sent it flying toward Kate, who swung it back again. Thus
they kept it flitting to and fro, faster and faster. Finally, Emily
hit it with a jerk. The cord by which it was suspended snapped; the
dainty bit of bric-a-brac sped across the room, and, striking with full
force against a mirror in a quaint old secretary that had belonged to
Mr. Mahon's uncle, shivered the glass to pieces. Instantly every trace
of color fled from her face, and she stood appalled, gazing at the
mischief she had done. There was, of course, an exclamation from her
companions, who remained staring at her, and appeared almost as
disturbed as herself.

Cousin Irene went over and patted her on the shoulder, saying, "Do not
be so distressed, child. I know you are sorry to have damaged the old
secretary, which we value so much for its associations. But there is
no need of being so troubled. We can have a new mirror put in."

"It is not only that," faltered the s