The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-01-01


renowned the vanities of this world on
my toilet will not take great deol Of
time | am SO glad we are going To
dress alike, for we shall have to set onr
shsrpest wits TO work to discover our
pest friends under our masks. We won't
take them oil till eleven, remember; but
am AFRAID they will know you, Father
ABBOT, because your portly appearance
cannot be hid"
Run along with you, Miss Impertin-
ence, and We'll see who looks the best in
ten minutes time"
Sooner than that, Alice came down to
meet her father III her nun-like robe,
with such tired, sad expression on her
pale face, that had it not been for the
crown Of golden hair when she threw her
ven back, you might have taken her for
La Spuer Seraphine herself
Il hope the dress does not impart the
feeling, Alice, he said tenderly. "You
need not come in till late, You know; for
the hostess Will not be known among her
guests. | am afraid you have worked
too hard to-day
son, not There's the bell, so | must
runaway and mlngle with the GROVE
WIN u gnu CAiICe COuitB.
Half an hour later a goodly assem-
blage OF merry maskers were gathered
III Squire Brent's great parlors, made
festive with evergreen and bright berries.
and glowing with the cheerful blaze that
shone from the Yule-log in the fire
place, which the Squire would have
klndled III honor of the old customs.
The sisters were ali III the short black
gown, with the short little Grape folded
decently around the shoulders, and
pinned In front to hide any beauty or
grace OF form to which they might
aspire; about that, the white barbette,
With the sacred chaplet of beads, the
only relief to the general sombre array,
and the veil which concealed all Ma
dame Modiste's skill in hairiressing,
completed the costume.
The monks appeared in great variety
OF dress, but all with the cowl drawn
tightly over their heads; mendicants, IN
sandalled feet. with wallet md tiugling
bells; lOrdly abbOts, with huge wooden
erosiers; and others with bare head and
shutting gait, who plainly confessed they
belonged TO the poorer brethren. But
they were far from being q quiet, holy.
humble train, like some of ancient DAYS:
the nineteenth century was here grated
on the middle ages, and made a confused
grotesque picture, curious to the locker
on. 1t was very amusing to watch ami
mated Irritation III one corner, between
meek, gentle sisters and grave, stately
friars; to see them glide gracefully round
and round through the merry, witching
waltz, lose all their cherished dignity in
some flying gallOp, or go wrong il the
mazes OF simple contra, with chatter
and noisy shouts, That would almost call
st. Francis and good Mother Heela from
their graves.
None of your saintsl ooked pious and good,
None OF your patriarehH old and shabby;
But jJlly TAT friars,
sitting round the great roaring fires,
Il, airing louder than they
al. my friends It's the greatest folly
Not - be Jolly. That's what think -
There were most ingenious attempts
to catch tone or a movement, or some
peculiar glance of the eye, that should
make somebody known; here and there
were decided mods and exultant express
sions, re if one unknown had fully e8-
tabliehed IN his own mind the identity
Of his fair friend the next moment would
vain attempt would begin over again.
Alice was very quick IL her conieotures,
ond several times IN a deep, low voice,
she had murmured q name in a listening
ear, and the conscious start and eager
denial told her she was right. She had
not danced much during the evening,
but Joined group IN the good old game
of rhyming, that brought out all the
pOetIcal talent Of the company in q way
that piquel curiosity to the last degree.
"Who said that An tell me who
that is, came out again and again as
earnestly and uncOn6ciously % i all but
the speaker knew every hidden face in
room.
Squire Brent had thrown off his mask
some time ago; and now announced to
the expectant people that they must do
their best to find out their neighbOrs,
for IL less than an honr the signal would
be given. and ALI their skill would end
Alice, rather weary OF her good time,
had Withdrawn TO the deep embrasure OF
the window to wait for il and listen to
music when the curtain parted, and a
tall, majestic monk bOwlng low" with
your permission, fair sister took his
seat beside her.
He had lowered near her much of the
evening, and she hnd exercised her mem
DRY III vain to think who he could be. to
recognize his figure and manner among
any Of the names on her card of invita-
ions. Now she was nervOuslv appre-
hensive that perhaps after ali it was some
one who had no right there, whom she
would be sorry to gee; and so she sat
silent, working at her kid glove, that,
contrary to convenient costume, they ali
wore.
Her attendant followed her example,
seemingly content to obey her pleasure,
watching her twit2h finger after finger
till the glove was nearly off; then, as if
suddenly thinking her hand might be
tray her, she drew it slowly on again.
"Thank you, Miss Brent, " said a deep
voice, that seemed half familiar 10 her;
u should know your peculiar way OF
twisting glove anywhere.
Alice was startled, but replied in rs
sumed tones:
You flatter yourself, sir. / I'm Miss
Brent or any other name you choose TO
give, till We can look into each others
faces
$50 be il, said the other, "aud as l
choose 10 call you Miss Brent, l should
ike 10 tell you story, ii you viii
listen.
Certainly; the sister Will hear any
thing you care 10 tell her "
ut begins like fairy tale, WIS the
answer; that once upon time, a young
man loved sweet Young girl who cared