Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-11-24
4 NOTED MASKED BALL.
CHAPTER J..

CHAPTER ].
1t was evening, and pretty Lille
embroidery on her lap, and a little pet
dog at her feet, but her thoughts were
not on her work, for nearly every mo-
ment she raised her eyes to the French
clock ticking gently as polite clocks do
upon the parlor mantle. The room in
which she sat was furnished with ex-
quisite taste and cOstliness. A carpet
of French gray, scattered over with
autumn tinted fern leaves; gray satin
curtains, bordered with the same de-
vice; gilt brackets, gilt chandeliers,
crystal mirrors, iridescent vases, mar
bic statuettes, Venetian pictures, franz
ed in garnet velvet, and in the large
bay-window tropical plants, and canary
birds in gilded cages.
Framed IN by this artistic beauty,
and quite in harmony with her sur
roundings sat Lille, evidently expect
ing some one. She had not to wait
long, for in short time a servant an
nounced, "Mr. Kingston, Miss" and
softly closed the door.
Lille rose with delight to meet the
young man, who now entered, and in
her haste tangled up the pug at her
feet IN the meshes of her Berlin yarn.
ooh Charlie" she exclaimed mer-
cilessly leaving that unfortunate ami
mai to extricate himself as best he
might; "haye you not come to tell me
you have changed your mind about
going on that horrid long journey you
spoke of yesterday"
''On the contrary, came to bid q
reluctant goodbye" said her hand
some lover.-"YOu know that my faith
er cannot leave to bring my mother
and sister home from Paris, and | am
compelled to so, sadly against my
wishes, | do assure you; but you will
promise me one thing, darling-dO not
attend any balls or parties until | re-
turn, and | will not do SO either"
ooh that is an easy promise to make
and keep; do you think | could enjoy
myself without you? | shall count the
days and hours until you return"
"And l." said the young man, "will
not even look at another woman until
see my fair Lille again"
So with many vows and promises of
eternal constancy they parted, and the
moon looked down through the bay
window and heard it all: what has not
the moon heard? The man in the
moon laughed softly to himself behind
4 cloud, at the young girl weeping at
her lovers departures very unfeel-
ing thing to do, but then be was so
high up and had nothing to do but
amuse himself at the worlds expense
A little later on the moon peeped be-
tween the white muslin curtains of q
dainty little chamber, and saw lovely
pale face asleep on a wet pillow.
CHAPTER II.
The next morning when Lille awoke,
she felt that something had happened
what that something was, she could
not for the moment define; then when
she remembered that this was the very
day that Charlie was to sail for Europe;
that he had left her for three long
months, and the tears started again to
her eyes; but she brushed them hasti-
ly away, and began to dress, just as the
breakfast bell was sounding the second
time.
No traces of tears appeared on her
face as she entered the breakfast room,
where her indulgent old uncle was
waiting patiently for her to pour out
his cup of Java. Lille always presid-
ed at the head Of her uncle's table, for
her aunt was a confirmed invalid, and
scarcely ever appeared at breakfast,
preferring to take that meal IN ner own
room; indeed, her failing health was
fast causing her to become quite re-
cluse, so that Lille was almost the sole
companion of her uncle, who having
no children of his Own, lavished his af-
fections on his orphan niece.
But to return to the breakfast table.
Lille found three notes beside her
plate: one from her cousin, and old
play-fellow, Sidney Dalton, declaring
his intention to come on from Cam
bridge and spend q few days with them;
a dainty little rose colOred note, con-
tanning a pressed violet and few fond
parting words from Charlie, which
brought the love-light to her eyes; and
the third note was an invitation to
masked ball, to be given at the house
of her particular friend, Mrs. Milling
ton one week from date.
Here the dining room door opens
and in comes Clara De Ford, hes init
mate, bosom friend.
ooh! Lille, just think-one week
from to-day, how charming of Mrs.
Millington to give ball. What costume
will you wear? We are all to be mask
ed until supper-time."
Il am not going" said Lille, when
her friends volubility had given her
room to reply.
mot going" exclaimed her friend,
and her uncle looked up from his hot
muffin with surprise.
"When," he said, "did my gay little
fairy ever stay home from a ball? Of
course you will so, but / have an APP
pointment at nine," he added, glanc-