Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-10-30
AT THE MASQUERADE.

It was at the masquerade bail. be
had come as 1gnomar, she as Par
thenia- He had graduated from Har-
ward only the June previous, and us
he was accustomed to spend his vaca-
ton with his family in Europe or on
the seaboard. he had scarcely beer
home for four years. ahis vas the
first event Of kx Homecoming. so not
only wa he a comparative stranger.
but the few recognizable faces were
masked from view. The accident OF
their costumes had assured him his
first dance with Parthenia, and fortune
had given him the rest
He did not know her and scarcely
cared to. She danced we'll and seemed
satisfied to give him as many numbers
as he chose. She talked pleasantly
ana not too much. He was pleased
with tho simplicity Of her manner.
AS they danced together it was as if
they were moving In n dream. In the
gay eddies Of bright costumes. in the
strange jumbling OF the garments of
oil ages and climes, they two seemed
fated to cling together. and thus to be
alone. In the mystery of her presence
he forgot himself and his isolation,
content with the thought that for the
moment there was harmony between
them. Often utter strangers are at
tached by subtle ties OF sympathy, and
in the first hour OF intercourse are in
duced to touch on heart secrets that
years OF friendship could not elicit.
Once she seemed to question who he
was.
you have been to college-to Har-
vardP" she said. as they were dancing
o quadrille.
He looked at her inquiringly. For a
moment he fancied he recognized her
voice.
NO" he answered as he took her
hand in the grand right-and-left. Then
regretting even a masquerade false
hood. or perhaps, with his vanity
aroused to know why she had thought
him a college man. he waited until
they were together again and asked
the reason for the question.
Nothing" she replied softly.
"Only | once had a friend at Harvard,
very dear friend"
THAT is such distinctive misfor-
tune" he remarked, with touch of
smiling irony.
She seemed sadder and more thought
full and did not reply. His curiosity
was aroused; possibly he was touched
with the dreamy regret OF her voice.
II once lived in Cambridg he
said tentatively, 'and knew many
college men,"
She shook her head and was silent.
IL knew Ethelbert Perry and Earle
Marvin"
She was startled.
Yes she replied. after omcnts
hesitation. "Mr. Perry is engaged to
Miss Craig and Mr.. Marvin is now in
Europe"
He bit his lip in perplexity. Yet
why need he seek to discover who she
was?
However she seemed dissatisfied.
"You know Mr.. Marvin?" she asked.
He laughed consciously. Eyes. I
have heard of him. He was a wild
harum-scarum fellow, well-knowa in
his class. but q groat priu"
He had many frionds?" she asked
wistfully.
eat first sight people liked him."
Then he demanded abruptly, do YOU
know him?"
'No." she answered after a slight
hesitation. Then she added. II have
heard he was very popular"
"Pshaw. no. he replied with ner-
vous laugh. "Oh. we'll, yes, at first
sight as said, but he got many re-
butts. Did you ever hear the story of
his conquest OF Miss Boardwaino She
was an opera singer who was so fas-
cinated with the way he played foot
ball that she paid him much attention.
He went to her reception in the green
hoOhA III VI IIlC SlClOTy, HFOul Oh
the honor. When he got there. how
ever, O'Leery, pitcher OF the Boston
nine, was ahead of him. and she turned
him over to one OF her chorus girls to
be entertained. He never heard the
last OF it from the fellows, and in
future confined himself to Cambridge
society. That is the way it always
was. He was good deal of a
turnkey"
He caught his breath rs If to assure
himself that he had not said too much.
They were standing on the outskirts of
the dance and he made haste to take
her hand and break into the waltz.
He was sorry that he had mentioned
the subject at all, and did his best to
efface the impression.
She danced very we'll. As often
happens with girls of her restrained