The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-12
A MASQUERADE.

e0h, nothing matters" she said, with a
soft, ironical smile as She tossed n bit of
sugar to the cockatoo
"Quitc So" was his reply. and he ca~..
fully gathered i'll u loose leaf OF his cigar.
Then, after pause: And yet, why so?
It's very pretty world one way and an.
other"
Yes, It's pretty world at times"
AT that moment they were both LOOKING.
out over part of the world known as the
Nindobar plains, and it was handsome 10
the eye AS far as could be seen was a
carpet OF flowers under Il soft sunset. The
homestead by which they sat was in Il
wilderness of blossoms. To the left was Il
high rose colored hill, solemn and mysteri
GUS; to the right-far OLA forest of gum
trees, pink and purple against the horizon.
At their feet, beyond the veranda, was IA
garden joyously brilliant, and bright
plumaged birds fitted back and forth.
The two looked out for Il long time; then
as If by mutual impulse, suddenly turned
their eyes on each other. They smiled, and
somehow that smile was not delightful to
see. The girl said presently, at is all on
the surface"
You mean that the beautiful birds have
dreadful voices; that the flowers are scent
less; that the leaves of the trees are all on
edge and give no shade; that where that
beautiful carpet of blossoms is there was 4,
blazing quartz plain six months ago, and
there's likely to be the same again-that
in brief, it's pretty, but hollow" Hcmade
asiight, fantastic gesture, as though mock
ing himself for so long aspeech, and added
REALLY, didn't prepare this little ora
ton"
She nodded and then said, ooh, it's not
so hollow-you would not call it that ey-
actly-but unsatisfactory"
You have lost your illusions, Miss Ash
forth"
"And before that occurred you had lost
yours, Mr.. Tom Sherman"
do betray it, them" He laughed not
Mt all bitterly, yet not with singular cheer
fitness.
"And do you think that you are possessed
OF such acutcness, then, and p She
paused, raised her eyebrows IA little coldly
and let the cockatoo bite her finger.
II did not mean to be egotistical, believe
me. The fact is | live my life alone and |
never hear any remarks upon myself |
was interested for the moment in knowing
something of how l appeared to others.
You and have been tolerably candid with
each other since we met for the first time.
three days ago. know you would not
hesitate to say what was in your mind, and
l ask out of honest curiosity. One fancics
one hides ones self, and yet-you see.'
You are forgiven of course. Do Won
find it pleasant then to be candid and free
with some one?'
"Why with mc?" She looked him frank
ly in the eyes.
"Well, to he more candid. You and |
know the world very well, / fancy. Yoi
were educated in Europe, travelled Ell.
joyed-and suffered" (rhe girl did not
even blink but went OH looking Mt him
Steadily 1--WE have both had our hour
with the world; have learned many sides
OF the game. We haven't come out of it
without scars of one kind or another.
knowledge of the kind is expensive"
You wanted to say all that to me the
first evening we met. didn't you?" There
was smile of gentle amusement on her
face
81 did. From the moment saw you |
knew that we could say many things To
each other without prelminaries.' And
to be able to do that is Il great deal"
And it is Il relief to say things, isn't
it?"
Ut is better than writing them, though
that is pleasant, after its kind"
Il have never tried writing-as we talk
There's good deal of vanity ut the bot.
tom of it, though. believe"
"Of course. But vanity is kind of vir-
tue too" lie leaned over toward her,
dropping his arms on his knees and hold
ing her look. 81 am very glad that l met
you. intended only staying here over
night, but"-
but interested you in way-you see,
am vain enough to think that Well.
you also interested me, and | urged my
aunt to press yon to stay. You did. It has
been very pleasant, and when you go ii
will he very humdrum again; our CONVEX.
sation. mastering, rounding up bulloc.ls
and rabbits. Which is interesting in II
way, but not for long at time"
He did not stir, but went on looking ut
her.
eyes, believe it has been pleasant for
You, else it had not been so pleasant for
me. Honestly. don't believe l shall ever
get you out of my mind"
"That is either slightly rude or badly
expressed" she said. "Do you WISH then.
to get me out of your mind?"
NO, no. You are very keen. l wish
to remember you always. But what felt
at the moment was this. There are mem
cries which are always passive and delig
full. We have no wish to live the scenes OF
which they are over again; the reflection is
enough There are others which cause us
to wish the scenes back again, with kind
of hunger, and yet they won't or can't
come back. wondered of what class this
memory would be-"
The girl flushed ever so slightly, and her
fingers claspcd n little nervously, but she
was calm. Her voice was even. 1t had
indeed little thrilling ring of energy
You are wonderfully daring" she replied,
ito say that to me. TO {, schoolgirl it
might mean SO much. TO me?''-- She
shook her head ut him. as if compasson-
ately.
He was not in the least piqued IL was
absolutely honest in that. | said nothing,
but what felt. would give very much