Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-10-30
Very soon she relapsed into her

her better thus. As she chung to his
arm she brought him dreams OF his
boyhood, when he had cared for one
as lovely as she, perhaps, but now go
long forgotten. They walked out into
tho hall and assembled the central stair
way where they could overlook the
dancers beneath. He leaned his head
against the balustr;lde. She sat clasp
ing her knee and gazing at him abb
stractedly. She was under the strange
ly imaginative influence of the mas
querade. Perhaps it was just this
very dream influence that pleased him
so. for is not all friendship. all passion.
a dream? Certain it was that Us they
sat together strangers though they
were. there was perfect understand
ing between them, SO perfect. indeed,
that for long time neither spoke or
wished to speak.
He had been watching the gay
movements OF the quadriile. The
motley dancers in the parlors beneath
wove in and out in turmoil Of move
mont and color. He felt peculiarly
isolated among so much mirth and
gaiety. A stranger in strange land
is not half so lonely as a stranger in
the home OF his people.
At last. as If recalling his fancies,
he turned and said. fixing his gaze on
her mask. II am so glad that l came
as Ingomar."
She was listening but did not mind
his words. Perhaps it was the rich
strength OF his voice that caught her
ear
Because. you see. my costume
privileges nue. to devote myself TO
Parthenia."
She bowed her head for pleasure.
He fancied he could see heightening
of color even beyond her velvet
masque. However, she remained ST.
lent. and he went on:
And yet there is subtle feeling
of sorrow in the thought that it is
Ingomar and not myself that you have
favored"
Hergaze still seemed to pass through
him and beyond. She had the air OF
speaking from the shadow OF q dream.
NO." she said quietly. II have en-
joyel our dances very much. You are
like an old friend of mine.' After q
while she asked. ''Do you ever fancy
yourself different, do you ever feel as
you used to in the years gone by? l
have felt all the evening as il were
living my girlhood again"
Yes, sometimes" he said las l
used to feel when Twas happiest and
most light-hearted."
She seemed pleased at this and re-
peated. II have enjoyed our dan ccs
very much"
''Anu may have the waltz after the
unmaslsing?' he said smiling at the
nairete OF her remark. because YOU
see as yet l have known only Parthe-
MIA. And l, too. have enjoyed our
dances"
She shook her head softly. "No, !
shall so home before the unmaslslng."
She arose and they descended to the
hall. His heart was filled with de-
light at her presence. Already he
had conceived IL friendship for her
Sho was SO simple and SO graceful,
that it seemed as if he had always
known her. The thought OF her 60
ing filled him with tender regret.
The quadrille had ended. 1t was
but a moment before the unmasking.
Come" he said. you say you
have really preferred myself to lingo
mar; can't you give me just this one
last dauce9 The rest you know were
scarcely my own
"No." she said. "the umask ing would
spoil it all. Let us part unacquainted.
"Now. what shall l believer" he
burst out with pretended pique. ut
is l, not ingomar; and yet the un-
masking would spoil it all" The
waltZ-music began. The dance RS
threw aside their Mosques. There
was a burst Of murmurs and laughter,
the regret OF disappointment and the
surprise of recognition. In the con.
fusion she drew nearer to him. He
laughed for joy. seized her hand and
broke into the dance.
mo. no." she cried. tossing her
head and struggling from his arm.
"Oh. you must not! Do let me go!''
lie laughed again. She was entranc-
ing in her despair. However, he was
forced reluctantly to loose his mold.
There was n culver in her voice.
81 am frank" she said. II must 20.
1t is neither you nor Ingomar. Your
presence has been the spell OF long
lost friendship. 1t can last but an
hour. l would not dispel it. You
cannot understand. Oh. leave me nv
dream!"
She was ravshine in her emotion.
sWithout this one favor ~ he nIaadod