Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-11-18
CHAPTER III.


So the week slipped by, and the mo-
mentous night came, and before d
long mirror in her dressing room, stood
a fair girl, dressed as 'Lalla Rookh, =
IN rose-colored satin and pearls.
Never was there any one half SO
charming, thought Sidney Dalton, as
he sat by her side in the carriage.
What pity you have to wear a
mask" he said, as they entered the
| ball room.
q feel more comfortable behind it, !"
not have come"
At this moment Clara was seen in
the garb of Nun" advancing through
the crowd on the arm of gentleman
disguised as Prince" What was it
that made Lille involuntarily shiver as
the stranger addressed her through his
mask and claimed her hand for the
next dance. She could not tell, but
something in the tone Of his voice
seemed strangely familiar But the
music has begun, and Lille is whirled
through the waltz by the prince"
and then Sidney claims her, and while
dancing with him, she asks who her
former partner could be, but he does
not know, and some time passes until
supper is announced, and the masked
Prince approaches to lead her in. She
cannot shake off strange misgiving,
and her companion seems stern and
silent. Clara is very quiet, too, as she
leans on the arm of Sidney Dalton.
"Wnat is your name, may ! ask2''
said Lille, to her companion "Your
voice is like that of an intimate friend
Of mine; | should think it was really
he, but that he sailed for Europe a
week az *"
'As we unmask in the supper-room,
few minutes will show you who am
You also remind me Of my dearest
friend and were it not that she could
not and would not possibly be here, |
should fancy you were she"
i wish had not come, said Lille,
for | ought not to be here"
IF you have not left duty ut home,
should think one so bright would enjoy
such Il scene,' answered her compan-
ion, and rs they paused AT the door of
the conservatory, and looked back
through the long suite Of rooms, lit by
electricity, adorned with flowers and
scented with fountains Of perfumed
water, while crowds Of masked figures
in all kinds Of gorgeous costumes,
made the scene like fairy-land, the gay
scene was one well calculated to please
young girl not yet satlated with life
But this gorgeous scene failed to
charm, Lille was sad, and the Prince
| inclined to moralize
Il dare say there are as many
masked purposes rs mas ked faces here
tonight" lie remarked. I'll came
with u purpose: life is a masked ball
full of deceit and unreality, but We
| have reached the supper room.
| The signal Is now given, the masks
fall oil, and Lille faints in the arms o.
the Prince" He starts back with sur.
prise and grief on his face, hut rccov
ering himself, carries her to the near
est balcony window, and the same
moon looks down on the lovers thai
heard their parting VOWS. and the mar
in the moon laughed again Ill the same
unfeeling way.
4 few minutes later, an Lille quite
recovered, was seated beside her lover
in carriage, with Sidney Dalton and
| followed Charlie told how he had II
the last moment received telegram
from his father, saving that / is wife
was sick, so he would go himself, anG
leave ms son to attend 70 the business,
in his absence, and how the desire Il
/ prove his Lilies fidelity had induced
him to wait for the ball and see fol
himself if she kept her promise, ant
how Clara had eagerly fostcred hi,
whim, and thus proved herself false
friend to Lille, by urging her 10 60 tt
the ball, when she knew Charlie would
be there
Poor Clara sat in the conner of tn,
carriage observation-disclosures; 1t was al
terribly true She had urged Lille to q
to the ball. i'll order that Charlie NIGH
lose faith i'll her. and perhaps transfer
his affections To herself, which was the
result she most ardently desired, fol
she had loved Charlie ever since they
| first met, some five wears ago. but IL
vain All her ilattery was lost upor
him, and now this last trial to win his
love was failure.
Sidney Dalton was devoted 70 Clara
and although she did not return his af
/ lection, to be thus hnmbled before HIM
was deadful t. the girls proud spirit
SO after the explanation, there was
silence for few minutes. Then Lii
lies sweet voice was heard. 1t was al
her own fault, she said; she ought not
to have allowed herself 70 be persuad-
10 do anything contrarY 70 her lovers
wishes. She forgaye Clara fully and
freely, and insisted that Charlie and
| Sidney should, hut the gentlemen SAT
| in moody silence, aiSregarding the APP
peal OF the generous girl.
Great was the surprise of Lilies I'M
Gle and aunt when Charlie returned
/ from the ball with Clara That h. had
forgiven her was plainly seen in the
/ happy face she presented to her uncle
/ for \ goodnight kiss.
III one month the happy couple
were married, and Clara and Sidney
Dalton waited ON them. One year after
/ Charlie entered his wife'S room in high
glee, TO tell her that Clara and Sidney
were married and had sailed for Eu
rope, and expected to meet them II
/ Paris 1T the expiration Of two weeks
Thus, rs the old play has il, "all's vel
| that ends we'll
4 Eaxy WnrdS 70 l.irlS