lle impatiently, "I am nearly
exhausted, and I cannot stand the atmosphere of that room much longer."

"Just tell the Captain about Mrs. Agnew, and then you will be through
work for the day. Try to send him off happy," I pleaded.

"Oh! yes; that is always the way: provided the Captain goes away happy,
you don't care what becomes of me. Well, I suppose I must; but I will
never undertake such a _role_ again."

When Lucille returned to the Captain, he was sitting with his face
buried in his hands; but he looked up instantly and asked whether she
had anything more to tell him.

She looked at the chart for a few minutes and then said:

"In your youth, you loved a lady of great beauty, and she returned your
love; but while you were away at sea, her parents made her believe that
you were false to her. They wished her to marry a wealthy banker, and,
in a fit of pique, she accepted him. She has always loved you in secret,
however, and now that her husband is dead--"

"Is that so?" ejaculated the Captain, springing up in great delight.

"Yes," replied Lucille; "he died a short time ago, and she is now
passing her widowhood in New York. She is stouter than she was, but she
is still handsome, and she has never ceased to love you. This completes
the reading of your horoscope."

The Captain rose to go, but paused to express his feelings. He spoke
slowly and with great emotion, since Lucille had completely secured his
confidence.

"Madam, I thank you from my heart for the revelations you have made to
me. I know that most of the things you have told me are true, and I am
satisfied of the truth of the rest also. I should like to pay you in
proportion to the value of your words to me." So saying he went out
quickly, leaving one hundred dollars on the table.

I found that Lucille's fame was becoming uncomfortably great, since the
reception-room was thronged with eager inquirers, who insisted on seeing
her, even after the close of her office hours. I, therefore, arranged
with Mr. Bangs, my general superintendent, to have a crowd of my own
_employees_ constantly in attendance, so that outsiders, seeing so many
others waiting for an audience, would not remain. By this means, Lucille
was able thereafter, to receive as many, or as few, as she chose, and
her labors were greatly lightened.

_CHAPTER X._

After the interview with Lucille, Mrs. Thayer returned to her
boarding-house with Miss Seaton, and invited the latter to