The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-05-01
THE MASQUERADE.

a
Love, hidden away like letter!
THE MASQUERADE.
A brilliant reception! Such crowd,
all simmer OF silks and blaze and gems.
| Two men stood together in a bay-wi1l-
dow of dim, unlighted room across the
way, and looked out upon the carriages
that came and went, depositing fair bur-
stone steps.
| "Am keeping you at home, DaytonW
asked the elder of the two men, break
ing the silence suddenly, and turning to
his companion. 'tDon't let me do itp
Go over and enjoy yourself. Here are
the evening papers, Pll turn up the gas
and read, for an hour or 80, and then, If
/ grow sleepy, will go to bed.
81 do not like to leave you alone, un-
Gle, now that you have just returned,
but 1t is a masquerade, and the host,
Judge Proctor, is father of the sweetest
lass that ever made the moments pass
like sands of silver from the glass of en-
vious time, down-shaken. She Is only
nineteen, but / have loved her three
years, and it sets me mad to see another
man speak with her, or touch her hand.
| And yet know how hopeless my love
| is; Tor her father rich and proud, intends
to match her delicate beauty with a
wealth and pride equal to his own. He
knows am poor, ,and that AuntAnn, upon
whose bounty live mere, is as likely to
cut me off with a shilling as to make me
her heir. A thousand times l have
sworn that would rush away and leave
it all, but l only creep back here and
smile from her bright eyes,"
| gEAnd ia m0naV the OnlV trOnhIQ no.
tween youW
"The only shadow, can assure you,
Uncle Paul. Her father knows l am
faithful and ambitious at my work; he
even helps me to q case now and then; /;
but he told me plainly that 1t was foolish
for O young man who had only his pro-
fession to depend upon, to marry girl
reared in wealth and luxury, just as
though Rosie would choose wealth in
stead of love-"
II used to work shoulder to shoul-
der with Ralph Proctor years ago, and
fancy if money is the only barrier, that l
ting you two children waste your lives
| in thus mourning for each other. But
you want to 60 to the sport to-nightW
Eyes; only to see her face, uncle
only to hear her voice."
swell, that is right. Let me see your
gala-dress. Knight Of some impossible
order, IsupposeW
"No; wait minute"
The younger gentleman left the room
and ran up the broad stairs three steps
at time. Still the carriages came and
went across the way, and glimpses OF
all queer people fiittel away.
Presently there came low rap at the
parlor door, and a tall, fair lady en-.
tered, dressed in creamy attn, with a
soft lace mantle draped abo ut her shoul-
ders, one long, graceful point OF which
was drawn over her head, shading the
abundant coils and curls OF golden hair,
and falling like coquettish vail halt
down her face.
Mr.. Edgerly bowed politely, and said:
"If you will be seated, madam-pray
allow me-" and he pushed an easy
chair toward her, and waited for her to
speak.
voice OF Dayton Edgerly. "Didn't you
really know me? Then | fancy the dis
guise will be difficult to penetrate. Hal
Stuyvesant was to call for me, but. ..I
have borrowed the housemaid's water.
proof, which propose TO proceed to en-
Velope myself in, and then if you will
escort me across the way and bring the
cloak back, it will make the mystifca-
ton more complete. Halls costume is
up in my room, and Thomas will wait
upon him when he comes. Now, then, il
you please"
With courtly grace and gravity. Mr..
Edgerly offered the apparent lady his
arm, while she awkwardly gathered her
trailing garments up and strode away.
At the door of the guest-thronged
mansion some delay in the showing Of
tickets occurred, and one magical white
card slipped, unnoticed, down the steps.
MIR. E. picked it up on his way home,
and wondered vaguely how he would feel
mingling with such o gay throng as that
he had just aeen.
Seven years in Australia made him
shy about the ordinary demands OF So
ciety, but the mystery of a masquerade
filled his thoughts with queer interest.
A monk, hooded and cowled stole
quietly in among the maskers, and
leaned against the pillar in the long ar
cade parlor.
presently little Sister Of Charity
came and stood beside him, resting her
hand on his arm.
81 am tired OF it all, papa" she said,
in low, weary tone.
"Tired so earlyr' asked the monk, in
voice scarcely above whisper. sit
should all be delightful to you.'
eyes, but 1t is 80 strange, and no one
takes any notice Of me. You look more
like king than capuchin, spite of your
cowl-you have such magnificent shoul-
ders."
The monk smiled under his mask, and
asked softly:
apo you know-that is, do you recog-
nize-many of the people hereW
eyes, good many. That handsome
knight in purple velvet with the silver
hilted sword is Dayton Edgerly; and
that woman with the satin dress is Mrs.
Bryce-such an odious creature-she
cIings to him all the time."
IL guess you like young Dayton more
than you have told me-"
81 thought it was his place to tell you,
only he does not dare to, because he is
poor. He knows you hate and despise
poor men. But he is SO good, or he al
ways was until tonight. / don't see
what makes him 60 on 80 with that Mrs.
Bryce. She came ano tried to talk with
| me, Just to show of, but would not
speak to her, and he has not said word
to mep"
"Perhaps he does not know youW
uRut he oupht to know me. [ recOg-