e engaged in it rarely had the means to
advertise themselves so extensively; hence Lucille's half column in the
newspapers attracted an unusual amount of attention.

_CHAPTER VIII._

The next morning Miss Seaton called on Mrs. Thayer as usual, and found
her eagerly reading Lucille's advertisement in one of the newspapers.
Miss Seaton asked Mrs. Thayer whether she was ready to go out for their
regular morning walk, and Mrs. Thayer soon prepared to accompany her.
They first went to the post-office; and, as they walked away, after Mrs.
Thayer had received a letter, they met a boy distributing hand-bills.
They each took one and walked along slowly in order to read Lucille's
glowing advertisement. Mrs. Thayer folded her bill up carefully and
said:

"I wonder whether this woman can do what she claims; if I thought so, I
would call on her myself."

"Well, I don't have much faith in these people, as a rule," replied Miss
Seaton, "but it is a fact that some of them really have a strange and
inexplicable power to foresee events. Whether it is a genuine science,
or a mere application of general rules of physiognomy to the particular
features of each visitor, I do not profess to say; but there is no
doubt, I believe, that they have been very successful in reading the
future for some people."

"I am so glad to hear you say that," said Mrs. Thayer, "for I was afraid
that you would laugh at me. Now I have a real desire to see this woman,
just to test her powers. The moment I read her advertisement in this
morning's paper, I had a strong presentiment that she could help me out
of my troubles, and I determined to visit her. See, here we are, right
at the door, No. 50 Clark street. Won't you go up with me while I get my
fortune told, Miss Seaton?"

"Oh, certainly; if you really wish to try your fortune, to-day is as
good a time as any other."

They therefore ascended to Madam Lucille's rooms and rang a bell at the
reception-room door. The sable usher immediately admitted them and asked
them to be seated for a short time, as Madam was engaged at that moment.
He then left them alone, while he went to inquire how soon they could
have an audience with the great sibyl. Having told Mrs. Warne who her
visitors were, the usher hurried over to my office and informed me. I
instantly called my stenographer, and we proceeded quickly to the back
room, where we took our seats behind the curtain.

A lady was already in Mrs. Warne's ro