oman. There's Leila, for example. I'm
afraid----"

"You mustn't be. Life will come right for her."

"How do you know?"

"It comes right for all of us, in one way or another. You'll find it
works out. You're afraid for your little friend because of
Ballard--he's pretty gay, eh?"

"Yes. More, I think, than she understands. But everybody else knows
that they sent him away for that. And I can't see any way out. If he
marries her he'll break her heart; if he doesn't marry her he'll break
it--and there you have it."

"You must not put these 'ifs' in their way. There'll be some way out."

She rose and went to a table to a little cabinet which she unlocked.

"You wouldn't let me have my crystal ball in evidence," she said,
"because it doesn't fit in with the rest of my new furnishings--but it
tells things."

"What things?"

"I'll show you." She set it on the table between them. "Put your hand
on each side of it."

He grasped it with his flexible fingers. "Don't invent----" he warned.

She began to speak slowly, and she was still at it when Porter's big
car drove up to the door, and he came in with Mary and Leila.

"I picked up these two on their way home," Porter explained; "it is
raining pitchforks, and I'm in my open car. And so, kind lady, dear
lady, will you give us tea?"

Colin and Delilah, each a little pale, breathing quickly, rose to greet
their guests.

"She's been telling my fortune," Colin informed them, while Delilah
gave orders for more hot water and cups. "It's a queer business."

Porter scoffed. "A fake, if there ever was one."

Colin mused. "Perhaps. But she has the air of a seeress when she says
it all--and she has me slated for a--masterpiece--and marriage."

Leila, standing by the table, touched the crystal globe with doubtful
fingers. "Do you really see things, Delilah?"

"Sit down, and I'll prove it."

Leila shrank. "Oh, no."

But Porter insisted. "Be a sport, Leila."

So she settled herself in the chair which Colin had occupied, her curly
locks half hiding her expectant eyes.

And now Delilah looked, bending over the ball.

There was a long silence. Then Delilah seemed to shake herself, as one
shakes off a trance. She pushed the ball away from her with a sudden
gesture. "There's nothing," she said, in a stifled voice; "there's
really nothing to tell, Leila."

"I knew that you'd back out with all of us here to listen," Porter
triumphed.

But Colin sa