Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-07-30

cried, as he turned. "Why man, what is the matter? You look as grave as 8 ghost, for all your nonsense" '1t was not nonsense; only serious practice" the younger man returned. ''If I can fool you, think may risk the blue-coats. Carroll, you can trust Mary implicitly?"
 "As can myself, with secret, or g | treasure" was the reply. "But what do you mean?"
 ''Only to play the Dromios with her, for one night only" Mckee answered, looking at his watch. "By Jovel nearly twelve! Ring for her, before she goes | to bed.''
 Fifteen minutes later, the leader of the german stood before the great mir l TOT in Meredith's bedroom, side by side | with the Irish serving woman, peering keenly into it's depths at her face, while l his delft hand applied unguent, pigment ! and paint to his own. Perfect master | in the art of make up," the youths fair round face rapidly took on the com | plexion of ruddy age. His features, | too, quickly changed shape, apparently, | as quick touch of the pencil set lines | and deepened shadows in a second for | which times slower, but surer, hand de- manded years and the aid of troubles, thought and experience. Meanwhile, a | lively running dialogue did not impede the work in hand.
 "Yes, it's a grand lark, Nary" Mckee said, naturally, "a fancy ball, where cannot use mask. Do you think they'll recognize me?"
 "Sorra a wan O 'em!' Mrs. Clonan started at her double self reflected in the glass "Shure 'twould bother tn mither av ye to know her child. A ball, is it, Misther Win2"
 'Very likely; perhaps. several" Mo Kee replied, lightly. ''There, that line across turns up the end of the nose. Anyway, Mary, it will be a regular sur prise party. Think I'll doP"
 'I do be thinkin' they've betther eyes than common, ef it don't" the woman answered, adding. with meaning look: ''Sorra n bit O my figger ye have, tho. An in tn night they'll look more at tn fgger than tn face. Shure, it's no made addin' to tn risk, bad luck to 'eml''
 She spoke gravely; and the earnest gleam of her eyes into his own told the man that she more than suspected his excuse for the disguise. ''So you think 1t Is not ball, Mary?' he asked her, ab- ruptly.
 "Shure it's not to be thinkin' Pn paid, sor," the woman answered. ''Me aunt use to say thot tn shet mouth caught no flies. But, whither it do bo n fight, frolic or a foot race, ye'd best kape the fgger uP to tn face. Wait a bit, Misther Will"
 She left Mckee to polish his com plexion with a hare's-foot, standing in a most composite attire. A heavy, low necked hunting shirt terminated in three pairs of dark tights, drawn on for warmth; and over these depended an ample skeleton skirt of the day draped with a dark balmoral and a massive pan fer of stiff crinoline. Selecting heavy gray wig of woman's hair, he quickly adjusted it, combing the bands low l over his forehead and twisting the ends in tight knot.
 As he stepped back for final view, the woman reentered with her ample Sun day gown, and a poke bonnet of un- usual depth and fragrant in decoration of green and yellow flowers. Besides, she carried ponderous pair of corsets, with ample waist.
 "Mither of lovel but ye do be a fine copyl' she cried, admiringly. "Yer hid's darlin' knot an all; but thim figs an that waist shpoils the sim mithryl There," she added, adjusting the corset, "shlip under a few"towels | to fill out tn waisth, sorl Loolxsat him, nowr'
 Mckee, selecting massive pair o1 pads, was deftly fixing them in place with safety pins.
 "Now ship tn driss over yer hid.''
 "Wait bit. must secure my figure first" he answered, struggling into a l tight net shirt, and pulling it down snugly so as to round his artificial l amplitude into natural curves. Then the dress slipped on, the hooksfastened and the poke bonnet in place-the masquerader strode heavily into the sitting room.
 ! "An' I'm afther thinlxin' it do be time for bid, Masther Carroll" he said, with deep but laborious courtesy.
 "Greaty' cried Meredith, glancing from counterfeit to reality. e'Mary's very self Willie, that would be a tri- umph for burlesque."
 "Bedad, Mary shmel1s a rats and I'm thinkin' it do be safe to thrust tn shpat av her!-Mary,"-he turned gravely to her-''if I'm going to ball ora funeral 1t makes no difference; but rwant you to keep closely in the house until re- turn your clothes. know can trust you, and am truly grateful for you1 trouble and willing help"
 He extended his hand, and Mra Clonan shook it warmly, but with dep recating shake of her head. When he1 own was withdrawn a new gold piece glittered in it, at which she stared GU riously.
 "Is it to kape this fur ye am, sor9' she asked, innocently.
 "No; for yourself" McKeS answered quickly changing the.subject. "Be sure and keep we'll out of sight till come.
 "ButI do be thinlzin' ye're a bit erin sor," the woman answered, quietly "Thim clothes bent fur rint; an shurt Pm not kapin' a bhank." She laid the ' xIak ko1 1D1 S1 oll al