The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-09-17
A MASQUERADE.

A MASQUERADE.
"She is far from fascinating" declared
Lucia, as she and her sister discussed
the events of the day, few weeks after
Miss Lovell's appearance at the Orchard
Farm. AN aquiline nose is a defect
in any wonan's face; it looks strong
minded"
land that black silk dress of hers has
been turned, too. saw the old stitches" "
yawned Essie. "What do you think OF
her singing ?"
bers."
"She's novelty"
Fascinating or otherwise, the gentle
men at the house seemed to rally about
Miss Lowell, to the no small discontinue
of the Misses Thornton. Her very in
difference lent a charm; and even the
turned silk failed to disgust them, or the
fact that she was suspected of earning
her own living. There was q picnic to
the recesses Of the Pine Woods one day,
when other expedients for killing time
had been nearly exhausted, planned
and carried out by Miss Lucia and her
sister.
"And where is our charming Miss
Lowell ?" asked Duchene, an attache Of
oIe of the legations, whom Lucia had
contrived to attach to her party.
"I don't know" returned Lucia.
Is not Miss Lowell here ?" demanded
Guy, land why is she not ?"
Don't annihilate US, Guy! What is
Hecuba to you ?"
II will return for Miss Lowell" said
Duchene, not comprehending the situa-
ton.
Twill fetch her myself" threatened
Guy, hurrSing away. But he did not
return. Miss Lowell had no mind to ac-
cept IN invitation at the eleventh hour;
she was busy sketching. Would she
net give him lesson in the art? And
whether or no, there he stayed beside her
till the sunset dyed the sea with the hues
of shell. No end Of banter followed
when the party returned from the
woods.
This is the way Mr.. Thornton does
his picnicking" questioned Duchene.
Don't you know" addressing Miss
Lowell, THAT they used to burn women
for witchcraft?"
"Neither did the men escape"
"These Thorntons are a proud FAM
ily," he pursued. "They think them
selves the cream of society, and the rest
of the world but skim-milk.''
And I represent bonny-clabber, per-
haps;;n' 81 .,+,, -, ~. .,.,,oo,.o,
is not born with a silver spoon in his
mouth is beneath notice-except for
amusement"
''You seem to have studied the Thorn
TONS"
"They interest me with their contempt
for work; wonder nobody asks if the
malt that lay in the house that Jack
built was not furnished by their grand
fathers brewery"
You are too bitter, Mr.. Duchene-
bitter as beer. And Mr.. Thornton, does
he share their contempt?"
II have not heard; but he is Thorn
ton."
"Miss Lucia thinks your lecture is
long. She is in doubt about the text. I
believe you engaged her tor this waltz"
They were having some informal dane
ing in the parlors that night.
One evening in August, Miss Lowell,
having spent dull day indoors, threw
open her blinds, and felt it waste OF
the season to remain under a roof. The
universe seemed too narrow to hold her,
and throwing on cloak which enveloped
her, folding black veil across her yel-
low hair, and fastening the hood of her
wrap beneath her chin, she stole out
Presently. as she sat in the shadow of a
in,
helped Miss Lucia ashore and strolled
away, while Guy planted an oar in the
sand, and Essie crouched beside him.
You will take cold" said Guy. I'VE
must 60 in"
You wouldn't be in such haste if
were Miss Lowell. I don't know where
you get your plebeian tastes. Everybody
IS laughing at your devotion"
LET those laugh who win, returned
Guy. "Le roi s'anause."
Miss Lowell had left her seat at men
ton of her name, and loitered along the
beach, STOPPING to gather shell or bi,
of some wreck as she went.
"What old witch is that?" asked Essit
as she passed them.
1T looks like fisherwoman gather
ing drift to boil her pot:' but having de-
coyed Essie indoors, he flew back tc
the sand.
The step betrays the goddess" over
taking her.
I hoped to pass for fisherwoman.
you! To complete the disguise, le
me take you out in my boat"
with all nv heart" "'Le ro
s'an,use.'" she reflected; "but he allow!
another to share his amusement. Ant
directly they were floating through {
drift of stars, mingling jest and senti
ment; slipping past the lighthouse: be
yond the spits of sand, with breaker:
Dreaming about them, till the be-. CT
lights were but sparks against the dark
ness. past stretches of meadows, and tn
lonesome wharves of the town. "Mr
Thornton" she cried, waking from tht
spell, as steeples and chimneys stood re-
vealed, "what is this?"
"Th;s is Bagdad. Our boat has beer
propelled by afrites. lam the necroman
Ger who has annihilated time and space
Shall we keep on up the river; and joir
the caravans for Aleppo and Damascus?'
DO let us return it must be so late
There ore 70 lights il your Bagdad."
"The Caliph pro ibits them after
Pm. Besides, gas nd kerosene haven
come to light yet. My dear Miss Lowell
the tide is against and the wind is no
with us. Even a necromancer may err
You have made it dangerously pleasant
I did not dream of the hour. Halloo
therem he shouted, under the bow of
brig. ~ will give any man his pric
who will help me row back to the beach.