The Evening post. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1888-1889, 1888-11-24
SOUL REC0GNIT ION.

unseemly frown upon the unusually
placid and handsome brow and the
naughty curl of the full lip which, until
this moment. had smiled and wreathed
itself with kisses for the fair girl stand
ing so calmly by his side. She did not
even observe the change in her lover s
demeanor. There was far-away, spirit
uele expression in the soft brown eyes
sort of sadness or childish homesick-
ness, apparent in every look and gesture.
She seemed to need only little privacy
to allow the tears to gush forth. But
this was no place for tears-a grand,
aristocratic ball, where the cream of the
elite had been invited, and where all
were expected to contribute their share
of wit and brilliancy.
perhaps, Rose said the young gen
tlcman, in u tone so deep and thrilling
that his partner started and looked won
deringly into his face, you would pre-
fer TO be seated. This promenading
business is as stupid as the brain which
originated such ridiculous affairs S re
captions. | wish the farce were well
over"
80 do l." replied the young lady,
looking away again-the same strange
light coming back into her face. II
wish we had not come. | think l must
be very nervous this evening"
at would seem so, Rose. Where is
your bouquet he continued, the light
in his eye deepening into the white heat
of passion. "You are not usually so
careless of IN flowers"
"Why, Fred, had not missed themp'
And now she spoke rapidly, and with
evident interest 81 must have left them
in the next room. Please give me your
arm and will see. Wouldn't lose that
tiligree holder for anything in the world.
You know thai poor John Sinclair gave
me that Just before he went to India.
Dear fellow how sad that one so good
must del''
II wish TO Heaven that you would
never mention that mans name to me as
long as you live, again. have been
treated to q disquisition on his virtues
ever since we were engaged, and it has
become exceedingly disagreeable."
eyes, | know; please excuse me, Fred
There are the flowers now" and Rose,
without drawing her hand from his arm
ran across the room and returned with a
bouquetilof choicest roses most exquis-
itely arranged. II did not notice before,
Fred, how lovely these roses We're
THAT is notyour bouquet, replied the
young man, through confused lips.
"But this is my holder-seel Rose
You are mistaken, Fred; no one could
have changed them"
''But they are changed Let us talk no
more about it. Here comes Benson to
ask you for the next dance, and we are
attracting attention
Rose started nervously, as six or eight
gentlemen, all carefully masked. filed
slowly past.
THAT is very strange she remarked
TO Captain Benson, her partner for the
coming dance.
eyes" he replied; "NIrs. Ellery was
Just telling me about it. In order to
give zest and variety to the evenings en-
tertainment these gentlemen, all in our
set, determined to mask and see if they
could be recognized. Upon my word, /
haven't the least idea who even one of
them can be.
"Nor l." said Rose, while an indie
scribable thrill of something-half
pleasure, half pain-stirred her heart to
Its very depth.
Rose, with her bouquet tightly clasped,
found herself face to face with one of
the masuueraders.
Zone rose, if you please" came in
very low tones, as a change in the dance
brought Rose by the side of the stranger.
GO wonder what makes me tremble so?'
she asked herself. softly, as, making
hasty endeayor to remove one OF the
blossoms from the bouquet, the petals
were strcwn upon the carpet.
"That bud, please" and the hand of
the masquerader lowered for moment
over the flowers, and then, gently taking
them from her, removed the covered
treasure and made a motion for Rose to
adjust it in the button-hole of his coat
With little cry, which was cross be-
tween joy and intensest agony, Rose,
carried entirely out Of herself-scarcely,
from her overweight condition, consci-
Gus of or responsible for her extremely
unconventional behavior--clasped the
strangers hand for brief moment in
both her little ones.
precious little rosebud J" murmured
the disguised individual.
Father have mercy % moaned Rose,
through binding tears. please" she
continued, bend your head down mo-
ment; ! must talk to you-indeed |
must"
mot here, Rose We will go to the
conservatory. | am perfectly at home
here and there you may say all you
wish"
II will, and then you will grant me a
favor" she answered, as they walked
toward the conservatory. You must
remove your mask ana allow me 10 see
that i am, indeed, a foolish eirl-that
there can be no such thing as the spiri t
of the dead returning TO confront their
earthly friends. | have been very I'M
happy for twelve months past on account
of the loss of my best friend. | have
tried TO conceal it because no one knew
of our love. 1t was TO be kept secret
awhile, because John wasn't rich and
my parents only care for money. They
accused me of moping and caring moth
ing for society. and finally insisted upon
my smiling upon the suit of gentleman
whom they had selected Tor me- / can.
not love him; indeed, shall never love
anybody, now that John Sinclair is dead
but you know it is not respectable not to
be married, so | said Yes ! have been
thinking about John all day, and tonight,
MS You passed me, | thought | would
have fallen Your hands are just like
Johns, and nobody ever did or could
talk to me as John used to, and as you
have tonight; and then the roses, and
my strange overweight condition, and
your figure, and the way You dance, and
oh, dear--everythi Now, If you
want to save the reason of poor girl
remove your maskl'
For moment the masquerader made
no answer He then said, this time in
plain and most decided tones; "Rose
there are in the world few innocent