, 1879-06-12
Berkley's Masquerade

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Dick Berklcy took the cigar from his
mouth, blew out spiral cloud of smoke,
and reflected moment They were in
Berkley's sitting room, and the door
which opened into the hall was slightly
aiar. Both men had their backs to the
door, and faces toward the blazing gratn,
81 would 90 if / was sure | could
keep my wife from knowing IT.. SAID
Berkley.
"Why, to be sure you can,' replied
his friend Hatton, a gay bachelor of
thirty or more. "What is the use of
being bound in the iron bonds of petit
coat government, tied to woman's apron
strings, and make both slave aud a
fool of yourself all your life. | tell yon
men like us, who are kept in courts and
among legal papers and documents, need
little recreation sometimes"
"My wife would raise thunder if she
knew of my going to masquerade"
"The deuce---she need never know II"
replied Hatton vehemently.
At this very moment Mrs. BerkIey
was passing through the hall, and paused
at the door, having heard her husbands
remark.
"Lct's see, when is it," asked Berk.
ley.
"Next Thursday night"
'I'll 60"
$50 will l." thought Mrs. Berkley, as
SHE disappeared unobserved from the
door way.
SIN my carriages" asked Hatton.
"Yes; expect me in front of the Lin
dell, from there we can drive to Kruths
or Mrs. Purcell's for our costumes and
masks"
Thursday night came, and our two
friends were at the masquerade, Berk
ley was disguised as Turk and his
friend in the hideous garb of an Indian.
There was one faultless form, dressed
as page of the olden time, which
seemed to be the admiration of every
one. Our friends were not long in find
ing this strangely disguised and evidently
fast young lady, as she made herself
especially pleasing to Berkeley. The
latter promenaded and danced with her,
and they retired to another room for
refreshments. The eyes which cleaned
out from the holes Of the mask our hero
declared to be the most lovely he ever
beheld While chatting and drinking
sparkling champagne with the artful
beauty he chuckled to himself to think
what a nice trick he had played on his
wife
'Now my oharmer," he said, pouring
out a glass Of champagne, 81 drink to
your health alone, and vow love no
other after which l ask, as we are by
ourselves, that we unmask"
"Dah, Sir Turk you do not pretend
to say you love me4"
"More than tongue can tell"
"And that you never loved anotherP
''Never, by the jumping Jehosaphat
Nonsense, I'll venture you have
wife and half-a-dozen children.
81 swear by my beard / have not,
vowed the Turk.
"Pshay we women know you men
too well to believe what you say. Men
must have some recreation, you know"
said the artful beauty.
"But know, dearest, adored un-
KNOWN" began our hero, pushing his
chair just as close to the page as he
could get it, and placing one arm affec-
tionately around her waist, shat have
found my affinity in you, that 1 never
loved till saw you, and that / adore
only you. Now have made full con-
fession, and after requesting the pleasure
of seeing you home, please allow me to
remove this mask that must cover face
OF exquisite loveliness."
Berkley had evidently drank too much
champagne, or he would not have been
so vehement in his remarks. He threw
one arm around the young lady dressed
in the fascinating costume of a page,
raised the mask, and beheld the face Of
his wife,
"Consternationl Sallie, let's 90 home,"
he cried; end in fifteen minutes they
were in cab going toward their resi-
dence. Mr.. Berkeley was very quiet
man for several days, and Mrs. Berkley
enjoyed her victory in silence. A week
or two after the affair, Hatton asked his
friend what became of the girl dressed
as a page he was coming it over so
sweetly at the masquerade.
"Dont mention it. Ned. for | have