The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-05-17

Sophie Sinclair looked up amazed.
She knew that the man mentioned had
but lately gained entree into society. and
knew also that her husband disliked and
distrusted him.
Once or twice she had seen his eye
fixed ndpiiringly rpon herself, and had
felt somewhat MS the bird might feel be.
meath the basilisk glare of the serpent.
well, why don't you answer con.
tinued Mrs. Martin. "Will you go2"
mo, no." she replied. trying to speal,
with firm decision. "Besides. do not
think that Gerald admires the connt."
"Prejudice, my dear, all prejudice.
The count is one OF the most charmir G
and agreeable men l know. Indeed, ]
think l should be canonized for my viii.
lingness to share his attentions especial.
ly as have heard him say all manner OIL
pretty things about you"
"Nonseuse, Ellen." retorted Mrs.
Sinclair.
But she felt the ground slipping be-
meath her feet as she spoke.
II will CO." she said at last, after con.
timed urging. and looking Mt the pic
ture IN all its brightest lights, ION one
condition, and that is no one is to know
me-not even the count. Say that YOU
have persuaded friend to accompany
you, who wishes to remain unknown.
Will come to your house, VIII re he will
find me, and thus gain no clew."
SO it was decided; but in spite of her
exquisite costume of fairy rs she con.
cealed it and herself beneath a large
domino, MS the clock of her muntel
chimed 10 it seemed to s ,phie that every
stroke said: Stay staSw
She was almost tempted to obey it,
bnt she had promised Ellen; aud, after
all, she had heard that it was well for
young wives to assert themselves.
The bail was at its height as the clock
rang ont the hour of midnight. but for
he first time iu her lite light and gayety
were distOsteful a hundred times size
wished herself at home.
Il will tell Gerald. haye already
been punished" she whispered to her.
SELF as she stood for a moment alone in
u qniet corner.
| lyon look more like a nun than A
faIry-rather like one who had forsworp
the vanlties Of tue world than a siren n
tempt men to their destruction" said II
voice close to her, though to the latter
l know no one more fitted"
"Slr!' she exclaimed, Indignantly, re
eoGnlzing' MS she spoke, the count stand
lug at her elbow.
"Ahl you thought did not know you.
should penetrate any disguise you
wore. Besides you have forgotten to Ie.
move badge of recognition"
She followed with her eyes his down.
ward glance, and saw that it rested on
her hand, ungloved, as in better accord
with the exigencies Of her costume.
lnvolnntarily sue drew it away, with
the ring which had betrayed her.
Denial was useless.
"Since you know me, then" she said,
'we will not further play a part. To
tue others we are masks; to ourselves we
are ourselves"
"Ah' madame" " be whispered. 'let
Us rather say to the world we are our
selves, to each other We are mask. Can
meD' think YOU look coldly on such
beauty as you possess? Can"
Indignant aud alarmed she checked
bis further speech by starting forward to
escape him. His hand clusrd On hers 8
in wise. She Wrenched it from him,
Spr"ng among II crowd of nluskers, aud
~ made htr way to the door.
"Cdll "A carriage Tor me-" she directed.
Ten minutes later Sue was Within her
o~u home. Hrr first impulse was to
tear fl the hated stuule which had
caused her such trouble her next To-
throw herself on the bed aud sob out Ler
rxcit, ment and ountsillon Tue morn
ing sun. streaming into her room. awuke
her
With a shudder she remembered the
events OF the past night. Sue looked
down at her hand, the hand which had
Uoen polluted by anothers touch-as