to you. I shall learn all when I cast your
horoscope. Your father acquired moderate wealth, of which you have
received your share; but you desire more, and you are not too scrupulous
as to how you get it. Why, what means this?" she exclaimed, starting
back and fixing a piercing glance on the cowering woman before her. "You
are in danger! Yes; there is danger all about you, but it is impossible
to tell now how it will end. There is a man in your trouble, who claims
to love you; and there is a woman who comes between you. Ah! what is she
doing!" she suddenly demanded in tragical tones, starting back with a
look of terror in her eyes.

Mrs. Thayer fell back as if stabbed to the heart, and her whole attitude
denoted guilty fear. Lucille, fearing that she would faint, handed her a
glass of water, which soon revived her strength.

As soon as Mrs. Thayer had sufficiently recovered, Lucille again took
her hand and carefully examined it; she then continued:

"I cannot do much now, but you must come again, when I have more time;
then I will cast your horoscope, and will be able to tell you all you
can wish to know----" Breaking off suddenly, she changed her tone and
demanded imperiously: "Who is this woman? Is she his enemy, or yours?
_Are you sure that man loves you?_"

"Oh, yes; I am sure he does," Mrs. Thayer replied, hastily.

"Then what is the trouble between you and this woman?" asked Lucille.
"She is older than you, yet she constantly crosses your path." Then,
closing her eyes, Lucille broke out passionately and rapidly, like a
person in a trance: "Why does she act so? What is the matter with her?
She is often interfering with you, but is always followed by that man;
he must be her enemy. See! a shadow falls over her! What does it mean!
She fades away and vanishes--_it must be death_!"

"Death!" shrieked Mrs. Thayer, and then she fell back lifeless.

[Illustration: "_'Death!' shrieked Mrs. Thayer, and then she fell back
lifeless._"--Page 199.]

Lucille did everything possible to revive her visitor, but it was some
minutes before she recovered sufficiently to be able to stand alone. She
finally joined Miss Seaton, but promised to call the next day to have
her horoscope read. She left a fee of ten dollars for the prepayment of
the labor which Lucille would be forced to perform in reading the stars.
When Miss Seaton and Mrs. Thayer left the room, the latter was scarcely
able to walk, so much was she agitated and alar