The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-08-11

steps; when Rush felt Helen's hand
tighten its grasp on his arm.
There is that awful man." she gasped,
as man, walking very unsteadily, came
out of the directors room, and, seeing
Helen, started forward as if he would
raise her mask. "Ah, here's my sweet
violet" he said, in a thick, uncertain
voice; but, before the words had fairly
left his tongue, Rush gave him quick,
sharp blow between the eyes and sent
him crashing UP against the door of the
room he had just quilted.
sob, Mr.. Hurlstone, what have you
done?'' exclaimed Helen, in trembling
tones; "quick, take me to my aunt.
Rush thought her advice good, and at
once acted upon it. He was only sorry
that he had not taken her to her aunt in
the first place, and then come back alone
and knocked the insolent fellow into a
cooked hat. Fortunately there happened
to be no one at that end of the lobby just
at that moment, but he heard people
coming, and was dreadfully worried for
fear of the annoyance to Helen if she
were discovered under such circum-
stances.
Come this way" said she, leading
him through the little passage way at
the back of the lower tier of boxes;
''there is door here that opens on the
stage, and we can go around and get to
my aunt and Mr.. Archer without being
noticed. Oh, why did 1 come to this
dreadful place? Aunt Rebecca didn't
want me to. Oh! if 1 had only listened
to herr
Rush felt extremely mortified. Il beg
your pardon, Miss Knowlton,' said he
he had taken off his mask, and they no
longer played at mystery. Il shouldn't
have struck that fellow with you on my
arm, but L am not used to masked balls.
| don't know their etiquette. l only
knew that you were insulted, and my in
dignation got the better of my judg-
ment."
Il forgive you, Mr. Hurlstone," she
replied; "but don't forgive myself for
coming to such place. 1t is a lesson 1
shall never forget. Here are my friends"
she added. And Rush saw the two la
dies and Mr.. Archer and Archie Tilling-
hast.
aren't you ready to go home YETI
said Bessie. 81 think it pretty dull
here"
They all agreed to 90, and Rush babe
them good night at the door. Helen said
nothing about the little episode of the
lobby, and he was grateful to her.
After he had seen their carriage drive
off, Rush returned to the lobby to see
what had become of the man he had
knocked down. On the way he saw
many curious scenes-among them the
blue domino who had first spoken to him
kissing the bald pate Of the general. He
was glad enough that Helen had gone.
When he got around by the directors
room he heard loud voice proclaiming,
''rd know the damned rascal if I saw
him; he took me right between the eyes,
before I had time to defend myself, damn
himp
Rush pressed through the crowd. He
saw the man he had knocked down
standing with his back against the wall,
his hair runpled and his shirt front
pretty well demoralized. A younger
man had him by the arm, and was evil
IDENTIFY urging him to go home. The
young mans back was turned to Rush,
and his figure swayed slightly as he
tugged at the arm of his companion.
Rush stepped up to him. us your
friend much hurt?" he inquired.
''The colonels not as hurt as he is
mad" answered the young man, turning
around slowly, Though he got pretty
hard blow Served him right; he was
too fresh, making up to another mans
mask" And the young man steadied
himself by the wall as he turned, Rush
thought he detected something familiar
in the voice. though it was thick with
drink; but when the fellow turned around
to the light he saw who it was.
"Johnp'
"Rushl"
And thus the brothers met for the
iirst time in New York.