Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1870-06-15
Miscellany.
The Masquerade.

course. But If you do, Mr.. Mortimer.
you need never speak to me again"
And pretty, coquettish Lille Lawton
nodded her head defantly at the amused
gentleman sitting beside her on the sofa.
But Lille, she is my own first cous-
in, and courtesy demands l should pay
her this tribute of res9ect Beside being
a guest at my mothers, fell -"
81 don't care fg for all that! You
know you are very particular whom | al
low to associate with me; and, Will, I'm
sure | have as good right to insist on
selecting your lady friends"
Her flushed cheeks denoted an earnest
ness of purpose that amused while it al =
noyed Will Mortimer.
But see here, Lille, darling. View
the subject in plain, common-sense light.
Ought not--am not in duty, in respect.
in courtesy, under obligations to sustain
my character Of gentleman TO q lady
who is guest of my mothers house ?"
He gave her full time to reply.
"Of course, you are. Of course, you
can pay her any quantity of attention and
yet not neglect me. l do say, Will, since
Kate Westbrook came you have sighted
me shamefuly."
This time the quick color rose to his
brow.'
"Lillie, when, howl"
She only tossed her little head indiffer-
emily.
"Never mind now. But on this ques-
tion of the masquerade ball. Here | have
been anticipating it all the autumn-have
prepared a splendid masque and suit
and now one day before, you come and
tell me that-Oh, / wish she were in
Egypt"
"LiIlianw
Very seldom did Will call her so; and
now his low, stern, commanding tone struck
a cold chill to her heart.
"You needn't think by saying Lillian
so reprovingly that you can change my
mind. | am fairly i'll. so great is my dis
appointment"
But why need you be disappointed /?
the masque ball is coming off. And I'm
going -"
"And with you this Miss Kate West
brook. As if would 90 to ball with a
gentleman who escorted two ladies'! You
know that | will not. You've heard me
say it dozen times!"
Lilies pretty face was clouded very
visibly, and she twisted her engagement
ring on her finger as she spoke.
Will looked hurt. He looked annoyed.
He even flushed up as though he might be
angry. Yet there was a world of the tru-
est love in his voice when he spoke:
"Daring, you will go, won't you
Please do! | assure you, cousin Kate
will not be the 'crowd' that the third one
is said to make"
His bright, handsome face was very no.
ble--very lovable-as he spoke; but Lii
lie would not be silent
"If she goes, stay. If | go, she stays.
You have my Medean and Persian decis-
ion."
Her voice was cold and constrained,
and she curlcd her lips in faint smile Of
contempt.
"Lillie, dear, Kate has been promised
she should attend this ball."
He spoke prliently and kindly.
every we'll, then, take her. I'm sure
your path Of duty, of respect, Of courtesy
is open before you"
Her sarcastic repetition CALLED him to
the very soul, but he loved her, so he did
not rail again.
"But you, darling?"
He laid his arms on her shoulders, but
she shrugged them carelessly of.
"Me2 On, I'm of no account. can
remain at home-or, perhaps, 60 with
Capt. Ssyers."
What wicked demon ever prompted her
to add the last few words, she could not
tell; but her eyes danced, and she smiled
little smile of challenging derision.
with Capt. Sayers, Lille Lawrence 2
Oh, Dever!"
!. He was thoroughly aroused now. He
had been STRIVING to qucnch the rising an.
ger in his heart; but now with this thrust
at her hands, it burst forth in an impett.
GUS torrent.
'He is a bad man, and you know it
You know there is no blacker stain on O
human beings name than that which tainti
his reputation You know this, Lillian y
"To be sure but what Of that2 You
are going with Miss Westbrook. Why
shouldn't l go with Capt sayersT HI
is d magnificent looking man and splen
I
did dancer"