Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-10-31

She arose and they descended TO the
hall. His heart was filed with delight
ut her presence. Already he had con-
ceiyed friendship for her. She
seemed so simple and so graceful that
1t seemed rs II he had always known
her, The thought Of her going filled
him with tender regret.
The quadriIlc had ended. II was
but moment before the unmasking.
Come" hc said. You say you
really preferred myself TO Ingomar;
can you give me just this one last
dance The rest. you know. were
scarcely my own"
Mo- she said. 'the unmasking
would spoil it all. Let us part unac-
quainted."
Now what shall believer" he
burst out with pretended piquc. 1T
Is !, not Ingomar. and yet the unnask-
ing would spoil il ALL" Then the
waltz music began. The dancers
threw aside their masks. There was a
burst OF murmurs and laughter. the
regret OF disappointment and the sur
prise OF recognition. In the confusion
she drew nearer to him. He laughed
for Joy, seized her hand and broke into
the dance.
NO no." she cried. tossing her
head and struggling from his arm.
"Oh. you must not! d. let me 20!
lie laughed again. She was en-
trancing in her despair However,
he was forced reluctantly to loose his
hold.
There was "A quiver in her voice. IL
am frank she said; II must 20. 1t
is neither you nor Ingomar. Your
presence has been the spell Of a long
lost friendship. 1t can last but an
hour. l would not dispcl it. You
can not understand. Oh. leave me my
| dream!'
She was ravishing in her emotion.
without this one favor" he plead
ed, your whole presence IS n dream
to me-"
NO" she said, turning her face
from him. Il must 90.
An unmasked man in motley came
up. 1t was Ethclbert Perry.
Masks orr hc shouted. aud seizing
one in each hand. tore them from their
faces.
Hello, Marviu?" he exclaimed in
surprise. when did YOU come homer
Then. turning. he said:
why. May! Why didn't you tell
me-"
A moment Miss Craig gazed on Mar
wins discovered features. then her
face blanchcd aud she leaned against
the wall like one who sees a ghost.
"May-Miss Craig! Oh. | thought
it must be your Marvin burst out in
delight Now demand the waltz; il
must be mine"
But their masks wcrc of. and the
wilchery was gone.
Perry stood aghast. still holding the
masks in his hands. He looked at
Marvin in mute surprise and Mt Miss
Craig in mufe reproach. Marvin was
dazed with { &c realization Of what had
passed. She was choking with emo
ton and her eyes were filled with
tears.
Goodnight, sir" she said, Mt last.
Marvin picked her handkerchief from
the floor aud stood motioness. watch
ing them ascend the stairs.
The next morning he received 4
note. It reads as follows:
DEAR EARLE: II seems that we must have
| hai ZONE subtle information OF each othe-'i
| presence last night tiiat brought back the
| thoughts OF til, 50 old summer times. The
| generosity OF our childi-h friendship has nj
ways been ono Of ms pleasantest memories
Ethelbert and i have often regretted tha
your life has grown 50 far apnrt from ours
He dimes with us Tomorrow. VIII you come
| also. and let US talk over the pleasant olG
| days togetherf MAY.
Il thought had forgotten her lone
ago." mused Marvin. as he wrote hi:
regrets TO the invitation. No doubt
she thought, too. she had ceased tc
care for me. What simplicity. what
delicacy, what tact! How strange that
could have lost her image for 80 long.