Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-09-28


that she was more than twenty-five at
the most. She had a complexion pure
as a lily leaf, and with scarcely the
faintest tint of rose. Only l had noted,
IN talking to her, faint warmth, like
the after-glow Of sunset on Alpine
SHOWS, would suffuse her cheek. Her
eyes were fringed lakes of an unfath-
omed depth and darkness. Her
mouth betrayed sensitivesoul, and I
had seen her hands make nervous
movements that showed unrest.
Long after the careless girls had dis
appeared 7 lay there chewing the cud
of sweet and bitter fancies. I loneed
to penetrate the mystery, to be pos
sessed of her past, of her present-of
her. / was jealous of that past and
all concerned in it. / was furious at
the gossips who talked about it,
and yet was powerless to defend her.
| feared to test my fate lest I might
lose even the right to speak to her.
In this state of longing and doubt it
happened that I did not see her again
till the evening of a sort of masquer-
ade gotten up by the proprietor of the
Belleview for the amusement of his
visitors. had selected her from the
mass of figures at once, although I had
received no hint Of her costume. She
was a sea nymph in shimmering ma
rine blue silk, with coral and sea shells
on her dress. She wore a string Of
Oriental pearls about her neck, and
great pear-shaped ones like carven
moonbeams in her ears. I fancied
there was subdued excitement as she
entered the room, like the hush before
thunderstorm. felt the electricity
in the air, but had no hint where it
would strike. l happened to be stand
ing by the side of Miss Sterrit, a fierce
and spectacled old maid, as I saw Miss
Dunbar enter the room and make her
way in a graceful manner among the
crowd. They seemed to fall back at
her approach, and I was conscious of
an audible sniff from my companion.
I glanced at her.
Look ather pearls worth queens
ransom" she said; the first victim,
I've always heard, was an Indian ma
bob.'
I fixed stony stare upon this crea-
ture, but she went on:
"Of course you know it's about
that person who calls herself Miss
Dunbar I'm speaking. I'm surprised
at Mr.. Bonds sending an invitation to
such doubtful person; but, mark my
words, she'll never come here again"
I turned savagely. "What do you
mean?" I cried.
She gave little litter and
blinked somewhat, as if she had looked
at too intense a light.
"Oh, I daren't tell. I have vowed
VOW! But just stay here and you
will see some fun; and serves her
right, too-the brazen minx-sp sporting
about here with her blood-money,
that's what call it, Mr.. Breton, and
I'm plain woman"
Yes, you are" / cried, about as
plain as ever saw; but I've a word
to say to you, Miss Sterrit. If you
dare to go on circulating ISLANDERS
about that innocent woman I'll have
you brought up to sustain every
charge in court"
The spinster wilted, but glared at
me wrathfully with her pale, goose
berry-tinted eyes. l turned away to
find Miss Dunbar, and saw her sud-
denly stop and falter in her walk. A
man in the guise Of policeman, but
wearing no mask, had marched up to
her, laid rough hand upon her shoul-
der, and thrust a written paper before
her eyes. The young lady uttered a
piercing scream and fell on the floor.
I sprang forward and seized the ruff
fan by the collar.
What do you mean P'' I cried.
"Part of the masquerade grinned
the fellow. "a little surprise got up
by the ladies, 1 do assure you. Who'd
have thought she'd have taken it 50
serious
Because the shoe fits p giggled
Minnie Brice, near me, and flung the
man from me and went out to the
anteroom where they had carried the
poor girl.
was near when she opened her
lovely dark eyes. I assisted her to her
carriage, and accompanied her home.
She did not speak, brit drew long sighs
now and then that went to my very
heart. AS we neared her door could
be silent no longer. They are
brutes; I'd like to horsewhip that
fellow, and as for the women
ssYou are very kind" she answered,
family; but don't do anything to
give more publicity to the affair. /
wonder why they should hate me? I
have let them alone.D
aThey hate you because you are
beautiful and rich" I said. You are
a shining mark"
II must go away she sighed.
"Ohp I cried, in a sudden terror.
II cannot let you 60 without telling
you that my peace Of mind viii GO