Read Online The Magnificent Lizzie Brown and the Mysterious Phantom by Vicki Lockwood - Free Book Online Page A

sorrow.”
    The woman sniffed again.
    â€œYour love line is broken, see?” Madame Aurora pointed toward the woman’s palm.
    The woman looked closer. “I’ve been let down,” she confessed.
    â€œA man you trusted has abandoned you,” the psychic continued.
    As Madame Aurora spoke, the woman swallowed back a sob. “Archibald.”
    â€œHe was not the man for you,” Madame Aurora assured her. “Look.” She ran a finger over the woman’s palm. “Beyond the break, the line runs long and smooth. Another man waits, more trustworthy and with a faithful heart. You will find your true happiness with him.”
    Can she really tell that just by looking at her palm? Lizzie wondered.
    The young woman’s shoulders rose as though a great weight had been lifted from them. “Thank you!” The young woman stood up and began to back out. “Thank you so much.”
    Lizzie quickly stepped forward to pull the curtain aside. Another client was waiting outside — a man this time, his forehead furrowed. He hardly acknowledged Lizzie as she waved him toward the chair.
    Madame Aurora looked him over, and Lizzie followed her gaze as it lingered on his frayed collar and the threadbare hat he rolled in his hands.
    The psychic gazed into her crystal ball. “Financial worries weigh heavily on you.” The man nodded.
    Even I could tell that by just looking! Lizzie thought.
    â€œBut fortune awaits.” Madame Aurora peered harder into her ball.
    â€œFortune?” The man sat forward in his chair, and Madame held out her palm.
    The man reached into his pocket and handed her a coin at once. “What fortune?”
    â€œFortune beyond your wildest imaginings,” Madame Aurora promised. “In business, your path is assured. I see water.” She lifted her veil and peered even closer into the crystal. “Great oceans bearing great ships.”
    â€œShould I invest in shipping?” In the dim light, Lizzie could see the back of the man’s neck flush with excitement.
    â€œYour fortune will come from overseas.” Madame Aurora’s voice deepened.
    She’s just telling him what he wants to hear! Lizzie thought. She wanted to warn the man not to trust Madame Aurora’s advice. But if she did, she’d lose her job; maybe even her place in the circus. She bit her lip and stayed quiet as Madame Aurora went on.
    â€œGreat wealth is within your reach; you need only wait and it will fall into your lap.”
    The man was fidgeting with excitement. ‘Thank you, Madame Aurora!” He jumped to his feet and was out of the tent before Lizzie had time to lift the door.
    â€œHow can you get him all worked up like that?” Lizzie demanded.
    Madame Aurora lifted her head. “I only tell what the spirits instruct,” she murmured.
    â€œSure you do,” Lizzie muttered as she lifted the flap for the next client.
    * * *
    â€œShe makes it all up, I swear!” Lizzie paced back and forth beside Akula while Erin, Nora, Malachy, and Hari lounged in the hay. The last show had finished, and chores were done. Before long, Ma Sullivan would be shouting them back to the caravan for bed.
    Lizzie grabbed an old sack and draped it over her head like a veil. “You are very troubled, my dear. . . .” Copying Madame Aurora’s throaty whisper, Lizzie knelt beside Malachy and peered into his palm. “I see from your life line that you are young. But don’t worry . . . you’ll get older!” She grabbed Erin’s hand next. “You are troubled, dear. You have to sleep in a caravan with four snoring brothers.” She grasped Hari’s hand. “I see in your love line that your next sweetheart will be an heiress! You will live in the best houses and eat only the best food.”
    As her friends hooted with laughter, Lizzie straightened. “But the best was the rich folks. She took longest with them. I expect