The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-11-25
who meet and clasp hands and utter

neat phrases of cOngratulatiOn or OF
sympathy of the woman who meet
with kisses agreeable compliments
or signs of condolence---the many
are not sincere in their protestati0ns."
Perhaps the gentleman did not quite
believe this, but was only adroitly
changing the topic, for he added,
Iglibly; Life Is u sort of mild mas.
querade and often pleasantly carica.
tured by some brilliant affair such as
my mother proposes to give on
Thanksgiving eve. OF course you
are coming, Valerie!"
"Oh, yes, certainly" replied she,
rather YEARLY.
"ln what character-pardOn me
Nun, Flower Girl or La Petite Ouch.
essei" he inquired, pleasantly.
None OF those" she replied,
laughing; ~ have chosen to DO the
Owl. And yOu?"
"Oh, shall he knight. of course"
he informed her, cOmplacently smOOh-
ing the heavy black mustache that
adorned his attractive features. ~
shall he in armOr and black velvet
with golden fringe, jewels or honor,
sweeping sable plume and clanking
sword. We shall have a rare and
jolly evening, dare say"
IF Mrs. Raymond's grand supper
does not spoil our digestions for
Thanksgiving dinner" suggested
Valerie, laughing.
They had reached Miss Earle's
pretty residence, and very cordially
they parted not to meet again until
the evening of Mrs. RaymOnd's mas.
queradc.
1t WAS clear night, not disagree.
ably cold. The stars sparkled, and
the moon was tuil, and little tufts of
frozen snow chung to the branches of
the trees, and dotted the creyices of
the stone pavements.
All the windows of the grand man.
sion glittered with golden light, and
within, the handsome rooms were
filled with perfume and music. soft.
sweet laughter and elegant fancy
toilets.
The hostess was disposed to be ex.
ceedingly gratifled with the costumes
Of her guests, among whom none was
more noticeable than the White Owl,
whose striking attire commended the
skill of her modesto. She wore a
wonderful arrangement of richest
whiteIvelvet, bordered and winged and
trained heavily with white feathers.
an exaggerated owls head for her
couture. pearls and down the front of
her cOrsage, and a small white satin
mask. through which her large eyes
glittered like huge black heads.
you are wonderful exquisite, per-
feet whispered the knight with the
clanking sword and golden spurs.
unfortunately do not know how
knights were accustomed to express
their admiration for so rare bird,
or ! could, perhaps, find more hitting
terms to compliment your beauty"
The White Owl lifted graceful
wing and laid fine tip Of pearl and
satin upon his arm.
This 'rare bird ! believe has
never been particularly esteemed for
its beauty" said the roguish voice,
"although poets have immOrtalized 1t
for its gravity as a symbol Of wisdom.
Beside, it has q habit Of nocturnal
oh. ervation that is not altogether
agreeable to certain creatures be.
guiled by the moonlight
valerie, what do you mean! ~ de.
manded the knight, grasping her hand
tightly, almost angrily.
Come with me, and you shall
know" said the White Owl, prompt
ly.
Out of the crowd the knight fol.
lowed her until she stopped in the
shadow Of u clump of palm and
orange shrubs at the entrance OF one
of the alcOves that made Mrs. Ray
mond's extensive parlOrs so inviting.
"I.ook and listen" said Valerie;
when everybody is masquerading II
bit of spying is not only permissible
but expected
He pushed aside the thick orange
leaves, as she babe him.
In the centre of the alcove stood
Moonlight--a radiant vision in the
pale golden satin and silver gauze,
her yellow hair enveloped in a mist
Of lace like silver cloud, tiny dia.
monds, like dew drops glistening in
every fold and fringe, and a crescent
of gold and sapphires upon her
bosom.
you need not be jealous" Moon.
light was saying to the turbaned Turk
who held her in his arms. 1T Is Oh.
ly a delicious bit of amusement, as.
sure you. I stumbled out of a
Broadway stage one day, and should
have fallen had he not caught me.
My brother, just for mischief, wrote
the Personal that this very senti.
mental young Raymond answered.
and for the fun OF the Irritation, all
by post you know, and was the re-
cipient of this magnificent crescent
that / cannot refuse to wear because
it is quite to lovely"
but Mr.. Raymond wears one like
it," remarked the Turk, jealously.
- cannot help that murmured
Moonlight. sweetly. He is very
much smitten no doubt, but do
not admire conceited gentlemen my
SELF"
1t is said that the moonlight has
maddened men before now," com.
mented the Turk, who had accepted
her explanation and seemed satisfied.
Max RaymOned turned away from
| the orange tree and looked about him
for Valerie.
But the White Owl had vanished,
and finding her gone. he began to
think Of her as he had never done be.
fore.
"Did she 90 because she is so deli.
cate and considerable that she thought
l could best bear my humiliation
alone, OF does she dispise mel" he
asked himself again and again.
LATTER all. she is the only woman
whom know whom / could marry,
and should have told her so long
ago. ] suppose l have lost her by
my stupidity"
II he had been in less tastidious
company no doubt he would have
mathematical his folly as loudly a!
vigorously. AS it was, the vanguish
ed knight took off his sword armor
his plumes and golden spurs, and IL
the solitude of his own room sat dowI
to think over his quandary.
"The Earles expect us all to thei
Thanksgiving dinner" he amused
"Of course, under the circumstances
had rather excuse myself. But
shall write a note to Valerie, tellin,
lher il she loves such an egregious foo
as l am enough to marry me, and !
| sha will nrOmise NOT IN lauuh AT ma