San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-01-24
AT THE MASQUERADE.

1t was at the masquerade ball He had
come as Ingomar, she as Parthenia. He
had graduated from Harvard only the June
previous, and as he was accustomed to
spend his vacation with his family in Eu
rope or on the seabOard he had scarcely
been home for four years. This was the
first event of his homecoming, so not only
was 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 well and seemed satisfied
to give him as many numbers as he chose
She talked pleasantly and not too much
He was pleased with the simplicity of her
manner.
As they dance together it was as if
they were moving in dream. In the gay
eddies of bright costumes, in the strange
jumbling of the garments of all ages and
chimes, they two seemed fated to cling to-
gether, and thus to be alone. In the mys-
terry of her presence he forgot himself and
his isolation, content with the thought that
for the moment there was harmony be-
tween them. Often utter strangers are
attached by subtle ties of sympathy, and
in the first hour of intercourse are induced
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 Harvard?"
she said, as they were dancing quadrille
He looked Mt her inquiringly. For a
moment he fancied he recognized her voice.
NO." he answered, rs he took her hand
in the grand right and left. Then regret
ting even a masquerade falsehood, or per-
haps 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 misfortune"
he remarked, with touch of smiling irony.
She seemed sadder and more thoughtful
and did not reply. His curiosity was
aroused; possibly he was touched with the
dreamy regret of her voice.
81 once lived in Cambridge" he said ten
tatively, and knew many college men,"
She shook her head and was silent.
Il knew Ethelbert Perry and Earle Mar.
vim"
She was startled.
Yes" she replied, after Il moments
hesitation, "Mr. Perry is engaged to Miss
Craig and Mr.. Marvin is now in Europe"
He bit his lips in perplexity. Yet why
need he seek to discover who she was?
However, she seemed dissatisfied. You
know Mr.. Marvin2" she asked.
He laughed consciously. Eyes, | have
heard of him He was a wild, harum
scarum fellow, well known in his class, but
a great prig."
"He had many friendsP" she asked visit
fully.
AT first sight people liked him" Then
he demanded abruptly. "Do you know
him."
"NO,' she answered, after a slight hest
tation Then she added, Il have heard he
was very popular"
"Pshaw. no." he replied with nervous
laugh. Oh well, yes, at first sight, as
said, but he got many rebuffs. Did you
ever hear the story of his conquest of Miss
Boardwain? She was an opera singer who
was so fascinated with the way he played
football that she paid him much attention.
He went to her reception in the green room
the night OF the victory, proud of the
honor. When he got there, however,
O'Leery, pitcher of the Boston nine, was
ahead OF him, and she turned him over to
one of her chorus girls to he entertained.
He never heard the last of it from the fell
lows, and in the future confined himself to
Cambridge society. That is the way it al
| ways was. He was good deal of fiunkey. "
lie caught his breath us if to assure him
self that be 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 well. As often happens
| with girls of her restrained disposition,
she became strangely impulsive with the
excitement of motion. When they ceased
| and went together into the conservatory
she was beaming with gladness.
How pleasant" she exclaimed. ooh
| t. makes me feel as if were a girl aqair
and Thought of nothing but friendship and
| hOwcrsr'
He was amused at her assumption Of
maturity.
Really" he said with sly irony, you
bear yC&r age wonderfully; you are re
markably we'll preserved"
| She laughed at the odd banter of hi
tone. do you really think me so young?'
she asked, a little piqued.
"Ah," he said, with languishing~ look
you are a. young as the unfolding lily, a
| young us the rosebud at dawn"
'That is true" she said demurely. IN,
mother has often told me that was borI