Vicksburg weekly herald., 1870-05-14
THE MASQUERADE.

"All right Just as you please,
Of course. But il you do, Mr. Nor
timer, you need never speak 70 me
again.'
And pretty, eoquettish Lille
LaWtOn nodded her head defantly
at the amused gentleman sitting
beside her on the sofa.
"But Lille, she is my own first
cOnsin, and courtesy demands
should pay her this tribute Of re-
spect. Besides being guest at my
mothers house, | feel"
II don't care Q fg for all that
You know you are very particular
whom | allow to associate with me
aud, viii, | am sure Ihave as good
q right to insist on selecting your
lady friends.
Her flushed cheeks denoted an
earnestness of purpose that amused
while 1t annoyed Will Mortimer.
"But see here, Lille, darling. View
the subject in a plain, common
sense light. Ought | not-am
not in duty, In respect, in courtesy,
under obligations TO sustain my
character Ola gentleman to u lady
who is guest OF my mother 3
house,!
lie gave her full timO TO reply.
"Of course. you hrc. OF couI5c,
you can pay her any quantity OF
attention, aud yet not neglect me.
| DO say, viii, since Kate West.
brook came, you have sighted me
shamefully.
This time the quick color rose to
his brow.
"Lillie, whent How?
She tossed her little lead indif-
lerently.
"Never mind now. But on this
question Of the masquerade ball.
Here have / been anticipating it all
the autumn-have prepared II love-
Iy masque aud suit-and now one
day before, you come and tell me
that-Oh, wish she were i'll
Egypt"
Lillian"
Very seldom did Will call her so
and nav his low, stern, command
ing tone struck a cold chill to her
heart.
"YOu needn't think by saying
Lillian 90 reproviuyly that you
can make me change ny mind. |
ain fairly Ill, SO great is my disap.
pOintlnent."
hut why need you be disappoin.
ted? The masque hall is coming
oil. Aud | am going"
"And with you this Miss Kate
Westbrook. AS i'll would 20 to
ball with n gentleman who escor-
ted two ladies You know that
will not. You've heard me say it a
dozen timesw
Lilies pretty face was clouded
very visibiy, aud she twisted heI
engagement ring OH her taper finger
a' she spoke.
Will looked hurt. lie looked an
noyed. lie even flushed up,as though
he might be angry. Yet there was t,
world OF the truest love in his
voice when lie spoke Darling,
you will ~, won't youf Please
do! | assure you Cousin Kate
will not be the crowd that The
third Que is said to make"
His bright handsome face was
very nOble-vcry lovable-as be-
spoke; but Lille would not be
silent.
"lf she goes, | stay. III 90, she
stays. You have my medean and
persian decision.
Her voice was cold and constraiu,
ed. and she curled ber lips in u faint
smile of contempt.
"Lillie, dear Kate has beer
promised she should attend this
ball"
lie spoke patiently aud kindly.
Very well, then, tuke her. ala
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 hc did not rail again.
"But you darlingI"
He laid his arms Oh her shoulders
but she shrugged them carelessly
of.
"Me! Oh, | am of no couse.
quence. can remain at home-or
perhaps, go with Captain Sayres."
What wicked demon ever promo.
ted her to add the last few words,
she could not tell; but her eyes
danced, and she smiled little
smile of challenging derision.
with Captain Sayres, Lillian
LawtonI Oh, neverw
He was thoroughly aroused now.
Tie had been striving to quench the
rising anger in his heart; but now,
with this thrust at her hands, il
burst forth in an impetuous tor.
rent.
"ue lisa bad man, and you know
il. You know there is no blacker
stain on a human beings name than
that which taints his reputation
You know this, Lillian"
"To be sure but what of tLat !
You are going with Miss West.
brook. Why shouldn't I 20 with
Captain Sayres: He's u magniii-
cent-Iooking man and a splendid
dancer"
Her cool sarcasm did aot tend 10
soolhc Wits feelings.
Lillian command you IA this
thing. You dare not Gi,obcv.
When you know the nature Of
the man you will allow the TO con.
duct you 10 the masquerade"
"Dare not disobeyf That il rich
-exceedingly,rich I"
Her mellow yet cold laugh re.
sounded through the room, and fell
mOCEiDplY on his cara